WHITIN Minimalist Barefoot Sock Shoes for Women and Men | Lightweight Eco-friendlier Water Shoes | Multi-Purpose & Ultra Portable

7 reviews for WHITIN Minimalist Barefoot Sock Shoes for Women and Men | Lightweight Eco-friendlier Water Shoes | Multi-Purpose & Ultra Portable

1. 

   J.L. – September 23, 2024

   Forget the expensive minimalist shoes – save your money and at least try these.
   I’ve been an amateur running enthusiast for around 15 years. About 10-years-ago, I made the switch to barefoot (zero-drop) running. I was convinced of the data coming out of places like Harvard and University of New Hampshire. You have to realize that decades of million (and now billion) dollar ad campaigns and athlete sponsorships have muddied the waters of science to sell more sneakers. No running shoe is going to provide as much shock absorption or rebound as my calve muscle. I’ve run half-marathons on a whim and sustained literally no injuries that I can think of in years of running.Anyway, you’re here looking at these so you’re probably already onboard or willing to try.I’ve used several varieties of vibrams for years. They don’t hold up. The fit is tough. The toe slots are unnecessary. Just get these. They last, they feel EXACTLY the same as vibrams, and are a fraction of the cost, and already have lasted three times longer.I’ve got everyone in my family from my younger sister who runs to adopt them to my brother, to my mom who has balance issues and LOVES them.CONS:- They are NOT very breathable. If you run in hot climates, expect your feet to warm up fast and to sweat quite a bit. It seems my feet have adapted after a couple months of use. I hope in future iterations they incorporate something a bit more breathable on the top of the foot.- They might be slightly inefficient at sprinting paces since you can’t tighten them down, but they still fit pretty snugly for my needs. Maybe they can widen the toe box slightly which would allow to go a half-size down. In any case they still feel snug like a sock. If you’re concerned about efficiency loss I recommend perhaps getting “grip socks” that have rubber grips on the bottom to wear in conjunction with these.- Wash them frequently, for because they’re not breathable and dry out they are a bacterial haven and smell quite quickly like a used sock.- The cuff of the sock (the top part above the ankle) loses its elasticity after a couple months of use. Be careful not to over-stretch. Hope they can strengthen this more.- Style: Well, some find them kind of neat and some think they’re a little odd. I actually don’t mind them but I’m not at the stage of my life where fashion is my priority.Overall assuming they fall within this similar price, I will continue to purchase this product.

2. 

   J. Templin – September 23, 2024

   “Hospital shoes” on steroids!
   Product is “as advertised.” The average person will not use them for hiking, much less running (per se,) I wouldn’t, but walk the dog around the block – absolutely. To take the trash out to the street – most certainly. Wear around the house – most definitely.First and foremost, they are comfortable. I’m used to having orthotics in my athletic shoes. I have high arches, and at one time had fasciitis. If you’re going to be on your feet a long time, you would miss not having any arch support and a soft liner. However, that’s not what most people will wear them for.The quality of materials used is excellent. The entire bottom (and rounded up the sides, back and front) is what could best be described as sticky rubber-like material. There’s grip for sure if that’s what you’re look for.Don’t expect any support if that’s something you need. It’s completely flat inside and there’s no cushy insert or arch support. They are minimalistic.Stretchy at the top, (which is ankle high), they seal quite nicely around your ankle, but the smallish opening might, in some cases, present a challenge (putting on) if your feet are large. Also, I could see the tight fit being problematic for some elderly, unless you have assistance putting them on. Having said that, I’m seventy-three years young. The small inconvenience of putting them on is the “price of admission.”Believe it or not, I was looking for a sim-racing “shoe,” (lol). Google it if you don’t know what sim racing is. Those types of shoes feature thin soles which give race drivers the tactile “foot touch” preferred for working gas, clutch and brake pedals. Those types of actual shoes are expensive. This product is reasonably (priced by comparison) and very much serves the same purpose.I believe they would be fine for walking along the beach, wading in mountain creeks, windsurfing or kite boarding.There is good flexibility all along the bottom, but the material is tough enough that you won’t feel smallish objects like pebbles, etc. like you would with bare feet.The negatives are indeed what you read in other reviews:They are warm, because of substantially thick material overall. They may not be the best for warm/hot climates, (summer in southern latitudes.) This is especially true if you want to wear socks rather than bare feet inside. Your feet will get hot and possibly smell in the summer months unless you’re in the water with them. The good news is – they are washable, so odor shouldn’t be an issue.Might help with vacuuming, lol, since the sticky, rubber-like soles will pick up hair and any particulates on your floor. You’ll occasionally need to pull them off, but not a big deal.Most folks will want to wear them snug (less space for the toes compared to most shoes.) I might have been fine with a half-size larger. I think these sizes are pretty accurate for American standards.Note that the term “hospital socks” isn’t used in the first Amazon descriptions, probably because the implication of that term might dissuade some from purchasing these. Goofy, dorky and nerdy comes to mind but frankly I find they don’t standout at all as weird. That’s a subjective thing, however. That said, unless you wear your pjs and house slippers to Walmart, most folks won’t be wearing these out shopping. Even if you did, the average passerby wouldn’t probably notice your footwear. Worth noting, the brighter color mine draw attention.The grip is such that this footwear could cause one, especially the elderly, infirm or disabled to stumble. That type of fall might be just as harmful as a slip. Just saying …So far, only having had them for a few days, they are (IMO) good sim-racing shoes. No regrets.

3. 

   Wendy – September 23, 2024

   These shoes are very grippy, so be careful while getting used to them. They have been been great on all surfaces (except for the rim of a hot firepit!). Worn at the beach, on volcanic rock, on pavement, on grass, and even in the ocean! They’re great for sports, too. I love running in them.It is a good idea to wear socks with them, otherwise your feet may get sweaty. Good cushioning in them, even compared to any running shoe I’ve worn.

4. 

   MD – September 23, 2024

   I love them as I have trouble with my feet due to multiple sclerosis. I usually need shoes that do up tight so they don’t slip off. I have circulation problems in my feet too but I live being barefoot – these are amazing. I can feel the ground, they’re grippy

5. 

   Alice Chan – September 23, 2024

   I changed into this pair of water shoes after getting mosquito bites through the holes from another pair of water shoes. I was worried how it feels walking on rock surfaces. No issues at all.

6. 

   Earleen Devine – September 23, 2024

   I have foot issues, so I’m going the barefoot shoe route. I bought a pair of barefoot shoes specifically for my long walks. Then I came across these sock shoes and thought they might be great for general walking about, on errands, to restaurants, etc. It’s winter here, so I’ve set them aside for spring. I did try them on and walked about the house a bit … and they are so comfortable. I think I’ll be very happy with them. If my opinion changes, I’ll add an update.

7. 

   Lux Erus – September 23, 2024

   Bought the green ones for $40 in March. First time buying any kind of minimalist shoes.On one hand, they are very comfortable. They’re essentially socks with a rubber sole that wraps around the feet a little. I can throw them on as fast as putting on sandals, but they’re warmer, so perfect for spring around here. I’ve used them to go on walks in the neighbourhood, and they worked well.I don’t know how “barefoot-like” minimalist shoes can get, but I’d say the feeling of the ground is about half-way between being barefoot and being in typical running shoes. You’ll be able to walk on small rocks with these that you’d avoid if you were barefoot.The cons is that they breathe very poorly, so they get warm. They work better in colder weather. Due to getting warm, the feet gets clammy. And due to the rubber not breathing well, a smell can develop.They look ok, but I can’t say that they look great. The rubber going around the feet makes them look odd I think.I see them as a temporary solution for me. If I’m not going to be walking barefoot, then I’d rather do it in something with a more conventional look.I may edit my review when I get more usage out of them. I saw that the more popular similar product, the Skinners, are supposed to only last 100 miles, which seems very low to me. If you walk 10 km a week, that’s only 16 weeks of usage.