WHITIN Men’s Barefoot Running Shoes | Minimalist Cross-Trainer | Zero Drop Sole

Gone, but not forgotten
I just retired just a after nearly a year of casual use, and my review is 99% positive. They’re very comfortable, well-constructed (the soles started wearing down a couple months ago, but the uppers still look new- no tears and all the seams are as tight as the day I got them). The price is right, too- for $43, I definitely got my money’s worth, and it’s a great way to see if barefoot shoes are for you. This was my first pair of barefoot shoes, but adjusting to them from fat-heeled, cushy Hokas was surprisingly painless. If you plan on actually running in them, probably stick to offroad- The soles are flexible and very thin, with no cushioning: you’ll definitely feel it if you pound the pavement or step on a rock. That’s my only complaint, and it applies to barefoot shoes in general, not just these.I’ve since purchased a couple other brands of barefoot/zero drop shoes, and where these Whitins really shine are the fit and style. Barefoot shoes should move with your feet, which these do very well- the sloes flex effortlessly and the uppers have just the right balance of padding and rigidity to lock on to my heels and stay comfortably in place through my stride. Even with thin socks, they never chaffed. I tried a different, more expensive Amazon-exclusive brand of barefoot trainers and my heel would lift nearly half-way out of them when I walked.If you’re comparison shopping, you’ve probably noticed that this type of shoe has a wide toe box, which tends to give them an unflattering “clown shoe” vibe (seller’s pictures tend to show their product at only flattering angles, but if you look at user review photos, you’ll see it). The model I bought-WHITIN Men’s Barefoot Running Shoes | Minimalist Cross-Trainer| – is just as wide as the others, but the wrap-around soles and the placement/shape of those plastic side panels gives them a *much * slimmer appearance.I couldn’t be happier with my purchase and will definitely be getting another pair soon!

Great for back, but beware goat heads and shin pain
If you’re getting a zero drop sole shoe, then these are great. The fabric is a bit elastic which helps make the shoes feel comfortable immediately out of the box. I paired them with some elastic shoe laces and they make a great slip on.They are quiet, fit right but offer no arch support.Simple warnings if you have never had barefoot shoes, the lack of cushion is, at first, very hard on your shins. You will go around a month with shin pain as your body adapts to the change. The pain is never unbearable, but it’s a bone pain which is definitely unpleasant. Due to this, don’t give up. The temporary shin pain is worth the eventually lack of back pain and strain. While not a perfect solution to lower back pains, the benefits of barefoot shoes and zero drop soles are very real ib my experience and have relieved years of back pain.The next part, specific to this shoe is that the sole is thin. This is intentional but something you may not realize is that it is just thin enough for longer goat heads to penetrate the sole and prick your foot. This came as a shock to me the first time I got soles these thin. If you live in an area where goat heads grow then you may want to look into some sort of sole insert that is puncture resistant. Many are sold for construction workers for protection and they are around $15-35. You are easily able to remove the included insole and replace it and I’d recommend it if you may find yourself walking in goat heads or other such spikes.While you may debate whether or not you should try barefoot shoes and zero drop soles, if you find yourself wanting to try them out then I’d recommend these ones. Good for work, good for walking and worth the money.

They are comfortable, and durable. I have had them for a while now and wore them every where from the gym to the mountains

Love these things. Would definitely buy more