WHITIN Males’s Barefoot Working Sneakers | Minimalist Cross-Coach | 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!

European Style and Size – Quality above average – durability too early to tell
Many inaccurate statements in other reviews (mostly the negative ones), so setting the record straight and providing an honest review. The hard part, of course, is that everyone has different opinions on shoes, the hardest thing to get a prevailing/standard opinion on.The incorrect stuff- there is no tongue; yes there is, it’s just affixed all the way up the opening like a hunting boot- it has hard plastic shoelace inlets; no it doesn’t, it’s a soft fabric backed material a little stiffer than the main upper material- there is no padding in the foot; yes there is, but it is thinner than a tennis shoe, more than a leather dress shoe (higher quality ones). It doesn’t have memory foam/gel, etc. like many tennis shoes do now.-they are narrow; this is a lot subjective in the reviews, no measurements, but IMHO, they are not wide, and not really advertised like that as I saw it a few days ago. They ‘feel’ a little tight/different, mostly because the middle section/eyelet material is stiffer than the main shoe material which is very soft and I assume breathable. This could create a ‘ridge’ you’d feel if laced tight. I generally get ‘hot spots’ around my ankles in hunting boots, this doesn’t feel like that and once broken in (if they do break in) it shouldn’t be noticeable.-no heel retention; I list this as a pro below, it actually cups my heel very well, better than most tennis shoes (what wears out first besides the sole) and dress shoes until they’re broken inPros-price – got these on Prime day for $35 which if they last (just received today) is a good deal-main material – it is very soft, shouldn’t create any rubbing but for the above perceptions for some, and durability is a question, we’ll see-sole – I cannot see why this would be more slippery than any other ‘tennis shoe’ like bottom, if they get dirty or other slippery substance on them, they may be slippery – never had a pair that wasn’t in that situation- heel portion, as above cups very nice and grabs and doesn’t slip like most new shoes do at first (or all the time and wear out – at least for me)Cons-you can feel the sole through the cushion – is subjective, my BMI is harder so I feel more in my feet as far as uneven-medium width, not wide; I have wider feet, but I’ve had shoes too wide too – these are not ‘tight’ but feel a bit snug, but are also brand new, not sure how much they will ‘break in’.-sizing – my feet measure 12 1/2, that’s the option I picked, the sticker as you can see says 46 which is European Men’s, Google AI says both a 46 is a 12 and a 45 is a 12 1/2, go figure. For me, if I stand up, my toe almost touches standing still, meaning it will rub. I put on my well broken retired tennis shoes and the distance is the same and do not hurt at all, so I assume these will be fine.I considered sending back because they do not feel ‘soft and smooth all over’ like some tennis shoes do ($100 Nike/etc.), but they are intended minimalist and some talk about benefits for plantar (it’s not planter folks, that’s for plants or peanuts :-),) fasciitis, which I have, so I’m going to keep and try them out. All the testing was done with low ride thin athletic socks.-

Comfortable, fairly durable, an overall good shoe.

Love these things. Would definitely buy more

Wide, zero rise shoes. Seems to do the job. Good shoes for light use.