I Wear The Same Sneakers Every Day & They're Perfect For Wide Feet

As someone with wide feet, I've always struggled to find sneakers that looked as good as they felt. When I was a child, I actually refused to wear tennis shoes; they either further exaggerated the width of my foot or squeezed my arches so tightly that it hurt. Then I moved to New York City at 22 years old, and comfy sneakers became an essential part of the dress code.

While I found a few impressive brands over the years—including Thousand Fell's no-stain sneakers—the Cariuma Salvas stood out for accommodating a wide foot with a flattering fit. Rather than my foot hanging slightly off the sides of the rubber outsole, it's gently hugged by the ethically sourced leather.

The hand-cut uppers also taper slightly, which elongates the look of my foot. It also allows me to play with the laces, ensuring the shoe is tight where I want it but with wiggle room where I don't. Although I have the all-white style, I think the splash of color on the black-and-white pair further emphasizes this elongating effect. (The woes of wide feet!)

More importantly, the sneakers are undeniably comfortable. The memory foam sole makes every step comparable to walking on clouds—and the same cushioning is used for the heel collar. This adds additional ankle support and prevents painful blisters. Truth be told, I've actually never gotten a blister from these kicks, even wearing them right out of the box.

As someone that loves to walk to support my longevity, I put my shoes through a lot. Think: walks to the dog park, treks through dirty subway stations, and strolls in a rainstorm (okay that last one is somewhat rare).

Despite regular wear, I think my Cariuma Salvas still look pretty darn great. Sure, they could use a new pair of laces to give the whole shoe a quick refresh, but I regularly wipe the sneaker's leather exterior to help restore the style to its former glory. There's some dirt really engrained into the leather at this point, but I'm always impressed by how easily I can wipe away scuffs and dust.

So while I'm planning to add a second pair to the rotation for nicer events ahead of the summer—you really can't beat the look of a brand new pair of white sneakers—I don't plan to ditch my original Salvas anytime soon. The sole is barely worn down despite logging hundreds of miles, and the arch support hasn't gone anywhere. They're the perfect kicks for warmer weather, and the perfect back-up sneakers once my new pair arrives.

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As someone aiming to be more thoughtful with my belongings, I love Cariuma's push for sustainability. The leather is sourced from LWG-certified Gold Rated tanneries rather than cattle ranches on deforested lands. There's also a stitched sole—which is common in high-end shoes—so the Salvas will last for years to come. Finally, the brand opts for more ethical rubber sourcing, so the material is tapped to remove the milky sap, which is given back to trees to preserve their overall health.

What's more, the packing is recyclable, and the carbon emissions are offset for shipping. Cariuma also plants two trees for every pair sold, so there's plenty to brag about to your friends beyond the comfort.

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