Whitin is one of the most common first barefoot shoes that my readers try – and with great success. They are cheap, easy to order, and have good-looking styles for both adults and kids. If you’re looking to get started with wide toe box shoes or add an affordable option, this is a must-read review.
Key Takeaways
- Whitin is one of the cheapest barefoot shoe brands available, with styles around $40
- Decent quality, but don’t expect a high end shoe. These are functional, with some quirks like toe spring or lower-end materials.
- They run small, so I always size up and double-check the wide/barefoot labeling before ordering.
Whitin Barefoot Shoes Review
I bought my first pair of Whitin barefoot shoes circa 2020, and since then I’ve purchased about 15 pairs for my family and my team for testing. It’s long overdue that I share my feedback in a dedicated review!
What I love
1. Great entry to barefoot shoes:
Whitin is hands-down one of the best budget-friendly barefoot shoe brands out there. And since they’re sold (exclusively) on Amazon, they’re easy for most consumers to find. I hear all the time from readers and friends/family that this is the brand they felt most comfortable ordering as their first barefoot shoe.
As you might expect from the lower price point, the quality of Whitin shoes isn’t top-tier, but for the price they hold up surprisingly well. It’s nice to have a low-stakes shoe you can throw on and not worry about, because they weren’t expensive. They’re also great for kids and teens who are rough on shoes or outgrow them quickly.
And the removable insole that adds just the right amount of cushion for a newbie.
2. THE OPTIONS
I love that Whitin’s casual shoes and everyday sneakers offer classic, low-key styles that blend right in with your typical American sneaker lineup. They also now have a wide, but not barefoot line that has a thicker sole than the others.
Besides casual sneakers you can also find:
3. Accessibility friendly
Speaking of kids shoes, their children’s line has a variety of wide, high volume options that are accessibility friendly. The velcro and wide opening make them easy to get in and out of and can accommodate many AFOs (ankle, foot orthotics). This means a better fit and more independence for kiddos with limited mobility. People with disabilities need foot-friendly shoes too!!! Which is why I’d love to see these velcro sneakers go up to adult sizes too.
What I Don’t Love
1. Materials
For the most part, Whitin shoes are made with synthetic materials and I’ve found that some have noticeable seams that tend to rub my feet after a while. So I make sure to wear socks with my Whitin shoes. I get overstimulated easily by textures, so this is something not everyone will notice.
2. Minor fit complaints
The shaping of the outsole on many models has some toe spring built into it (where the front of the shoe lifts up). Again this is a little nitpicky on my part, but after I while I notice it pushing up my toes. As an occasional, throw-on-and-go sneaker, they’re totally fine. But if you have very sensitive feet and/or a history of plantar fasciitis it may be something you also notice.
3. Navigating the Amazon store
Typical for Amazon brands, shopping on the Whitin storefront can be a bit of a maze. They release new models frequently, and their names are super generic—think “minimalist barefoot sneaker” or “canvas barefoot shoe.” New models also can fit differently, so you don’t always know what you’re getting into.
They also sell some non-barefoot shoes, so it’s worth reading through the title and product description fully. If you want the true barefoot fit, make sure it says “wide” in the title and check the top-down photo to confirm that spacious toebox.
Just be prepared to sift through a lot of listings.
Sizing & Fit
Whitin barefoot shoes fit as follows:
- For many models runs slightly small. I like to order a half size up, but some people order their usual size.
- Wide to extra wide fit – As long as you order the wide Whitins.
- Medium to high volume. I have to tighten the laces on mine and they pooch a bit on my low volume feet.
I normally wear a 37 EU, but I order a US 7 in Whitin (EU 38). If you add the product to your cart and then view cart you can see both the EU size and US size in the title, which helped me order the correct size.
Whitin kids shoes come in little sizing all the way to big kids. For adults, Whitin’s women’s sizes start at 5.5 (EU 35 / Youth 4) and go up to a 10.5—but since the men’s and women’s shoes are basically the same, you can size up into the men’s listing if you need a larger size. The men’s sizes top out at 14, though that’s only available in certain models.
Whitin is a good starter brand if you want to test out barefoot shoes before making a bigger investment. Since it can be overwhelming to start wearing shoes that actually fit, a low stakes entry point might be just what you need to start your journey to happier feet.
If you like this idea, check out my roundup of the best affordable barefoot shoes for adults.
