Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

*Updated* 6/8/19: I have plantar fasciitis, a tight calf, weak ankles (from 8+ basketball and football sprains), Achilles tendinitis, and a heel spur in my left foot. I have used $400 custom orthotics from my podiatrist the past 12 years. Recently after working out at any intensity, the thing rears its ugly head, I feel scorching rocks with each step. I decided I need to take things into my own hands and did some research. Apparently our feet have been molded into nubs that require shoes to walk normally. The problem is that shoes allow your feet to experience nothing when our ancestors grew up in a natural world. Only recently have we been accustomed to shoes. Consequently, I wanted to buy a pair of Vibram Five Fingers, since it's worth it to invest in my chronic foot problems before it is too late. The cost was quite high to justify on a product that I, although encouraged by, did not know would help or hurt my issues. So I decided to try these first. It's my second full day of using them. I'm not promising a solution, but they are comfy enough and I enjoy walking on them. I have already noticed a natural correction in my gait presumably since I have a sense of connection from my spine to my feet now. It is something odd and interesting that I never experienced. I am happy with this purchase. Considering the $35 price tag, the quality and look are 5 star worthy...and so far it has been easier to process information and change my walking habits (watched YouTube extensively on the proper gait), not to mention some decrease in pain. If it continues to improve, I will order more this week and update this post. 7/1/19: I purchased a second pair (all black, not as cool/fun) a few days after writing the original review. I wear them half the days, and the other half I wear Nike Frees, they are their version of minimalist shoes for running, but have significantly more cushion. The WHITIN shoes are still holding up strong, so the quality, again, for the price is exceptional. As for the foot pain, it comes and goes, but improving overall. I have not pushed my feet over strenuous activity for over a month now, and the pain isn't completely alleviated. I have done functional training, yoga, stretching and massage therapy--the latter seems to have helped the most! I believe this product is working to strengthen my feet; certainly when I wear them, it is very obvious when my heel striking habits return due to the minimal padding, and I am much more aware of gait (which could be argued is the main purpose). Like I said, the entire routine has improved my foot pain from an 8 to a 4 or 5 (a month of effort). I am still happy with the purchases. For those of you who are on the fence, I say give it a try for a day--if you don't like it, just return it. I am sure it's not for everybody, and making your feet stronger isn't the only solution to relieving your foot pain; like myself, I will need to continue to monitor and avoid the things that exacerbate the issues, and build good habits that counteract the 36 years of walking incorrectly.