When it comes to cheap minimalist shoes, Whitin is one of the well-known brands. This is because they offer a wide range of minimalist shoes that are perfect for different types of people. From casual wear to outdoor activities, Whitin has a shoe for you.
Whitin shoes are available on Amazon websites around the world. They have two models that are barefoot-friendly, so look for the words “barefoot” or “minimalist” in the titles.
In this Whitin shoes review, we’ll cover the shoes’ features, who they are for, where they are made, what people are saying about them, and a lot of information to help make an informed purchase.
Whitin shoes overview
Who’s Whitin shoe for?
This shoe is for you if:
- You have narrow feet and you want a minimalist shoes that is flexible and lightweight
- You are new to minimalist shoes and are looking to transition into barefoot shoes, this is the best budget choice.
Pros
- Good looking
- Lightweight
- Zero drop
- Flexible
- Good grip
Cons
- There’s arch support and toe spring
Things to know
Whitin are not truly barefoot shoes, they can be considered “minimalist shoes” and may be great for a transitional pair of shoes.
Specific Whitin Shoes
Whitin men’s minimalist trail runner review
Our review
According to the manufacturer, they’ve included padded heel comfort, a sock-like upper, and a zero-drop non-elevated sole for proper posture and balance.
The shoe has a thick insole of at least 5 mm. Luckily, this is removable and there is only a footbed with exposed threading of the perimeter of the sole and you know that’s not good for wear and tear for the long term.
The upper is made of a woven knit, possibly popypropylene.
With lateral ribbing in the forefoot to resist deformation and a larger perforation on the forefoot crown.
They have a sticky grip rubber outsole that provides traction and durability. What they say is appropriate for the trail.
They have a diamond pattern weave all along the heel with a sock-like collar and the eyelets are not so much eyelets as a complete rubberizer with four holes.
The knit upper allows for some stretching and allows me to move my toes without having to struggle to keep the shoes on my feet. Without the insole, the shoe weighs 236 grams per shoe.
The gum colered outer sole is soft and flexible with triangular tread pattern at the bottom. The tread provides good traction and is soft enough to grab on unstable surfaces.
The shoes are fashionable and appear to be more expensive than they are. I like that there are no logos on the shoes. I also like the value; at around $40, the shoe is a great shoe for running and errands.
What I don’t like about the shoes is the arch support, but it could be a good option for someone looking for a minimalist shoe with arch support for sports like tennis. The toe spring is not overly noticeable, but it is still present.
What people are saying?
“I have a wide foot with a high arch. I just purchased my 2nd pair of these shoes. I even purchased a pair for my best friend (personal trainer). He likes them as well. I feel enough support for my arch. I know they’re not a minimalist shoe but this works very well for me for walking and light running.”
Verdict
In my opinion, this is a good-looking shoe; however, it is not a true barefoot shoe; rather, it is a great minimalist shoe with arch support that is less pronounced even with the inner sole removed.
If you have narrow feet or want to make the transition to barefoot shoes. This may be the right shoe for you; it has many of the features of a barefoot shoe while retaining many of the features of a conventional shoe, such as the toe spring and arch support.
Additionally, if you wear out shoes quickly, it may be better to spend $40 rather than $165. This is reasonably priced at around $40 and is very well built for the price, especially when compared to more expensive barefoot shoes.
See more details and photos on the Whitin men’s minimalist trail runner here.
Whitin casual sneaker review
These Whitin casual sneakers are adorable, simple, and extremely versatile. The main difference between trainers and casual sneakers is that the sneakers have a narrower toe box that is almost not foot-friendly. Without the insole, they’re super light and flexible!
Whitin sneakers are very similar to Saguaro sneakers (another affordable option), except that the Saguaro’s fit high volume – so if you like everything else about the Whitin’s except for the narrower toe box that is borderline unfriendly to your feet, check out Saguaro. Whitin sneakers are only suitable for people with narrow feet whose toes have not yet spread.
What people are saying:
“New shoes!! Lovely roomy barefoot casual sneakers from Whitin. Wearing barefoot trainers at work I now can’t stand wearing conventional tight shoes at all and from the second picture you can see why. The left foot is on my old converse style shoes and the right is on the new barefoot shoe. Which do you think my feet prefer?! Is it time to look at your shoe collection?” – source
FAQs
Is Whitin shoes ok to wear if I have flatfeet? Since it has arch support.
Yes, but you should engage in a program to strengthen your feet.
Who owns and makes WHITIN shoes?
WHITIN Shoes is an Amazon barefoot shoe brand.
Where are Whitin shoes made?
There are not many details on the sales page. These are available on Amazon, exclusively.
There’s only the sizing tag in the shoe and spelled out on the plastic wrapping they came in, I presume that it’s made in China.
Whitin shoes website?
Whitin has their site on Amazon set up.
See more details and photos on the Whitin men’s minimalist trail runner here.