This Viral Sneaker Brand Paired Up With National Geographic To Protect Endangered Species—We Need Every Style
We never get tired of announcing *new* collabs from our favorite eco-friendly footwear brand. Brazil-based, surfer-friendly, and celebrity-beloved Cariuma (no, really, Pete Davidson and Helen Mirren can't stop wearing the brand) is known for its ah-mazing taste in collaborations: like this limited-edition release with the iconic environmental magazine National Geographic.
Launched July 27, this collab highlights each entity’s commitment to climate protection by featuring two endangered species, the green turtle and Madagascar gecko, who inhabit geos they’re fighting to protect. They appear across five signature styles (including the best-selling OCA low and OCA high). Each animal’s featured in a small icon on the side of the shoe, framed by Nat Geo’s distinctive yellow border.
This collab makes total sense for each brand’s ethos. Cariuma’s classic canvas look follows the blueprint of other direct-to-consumer sneaker brands but gains massive points for its major sustainability claims. Known for being lightweight and comfy— and beloved by surfers, skaters, and celebrities alike—these sneaks are ethically made and produce net zero carbon emissions. Their construction uses recycled materials that, TBH, are *wildly* comfy, with details like cork and memory foam insoles. Oh, and did we mention every shoe is handmade?
Each purchase from the Cariuma x National Geographic collab will support the org’s global non-profit arm, The National Geographic Society, which aims to preserve habitats and educate about the importance of environmental conservation in our most pressing emergency: the climate crisis.
Of course, the collection also follows Cariuma’s vow to plant two trees in the Brazilian rainforest for each pair of shoes sold through their in-house Ecological Restoration Program. The sneaks got an *eco* upgrade with this collab too, showing off a construction of certified organic cotton, sustainably sourced rubber, mamona oil, and recycled plastics.
Ranging from $89 to $110, picks from this limited-edition collection ship at the end of September.
Five eco-friendly sneakers from the new Cariuma x National Geographic collection
Hi there. How ya doin? The OCA Low is the top-selling style over at Cariuma, often accumulating waitlists in the thousands. Frankly, this adorable gecko makes us want to join the list again. The Madagascar gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis if you’re tryna get fancy, is native to the eastern forests of Mozambique’s island neighbor. They like bugs, fruit, and lush forests—making it even more important to preserve canopy cover with sustainable practices.
Add a little edge by opting for this OCA low design in black. It’s shockingly versatile, as the shoe was initially designed as a refined take on Rio de Janeiro’s street and beach culture, and the lil’ gecko peeking out makes it a bit cheeky. These bad boys can take you from post-surf to your next adventure without missing a beat.
Introducing our next friend: the green turtle. Since Cariuma’s rooted in surf culture—a “pack in, pack out” mentality similar to “leave no trace”—their founders and supporters care deeply about respecting ocean and marine life. Cariuma hopes to boost appreciation for the species, passionate about the threat that invasive human behavior “like pollution and habitat destruction” poses to their survival.
Cariuma’s OCA High has a reputation for being comfy and flexible, with ankle support that doesn’t sacrifice your movement. Handcrafted with a full canvas upper, unique cap-toe design and debossed metal aglets, the shoe boasts a zero break-in period (seriously) and a dash of skate style. Needless to say, we need.
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