All around excellent design. Unfortunately, metal bands end up poking through in edge of palm area.
Velcro straps better than most and thumb support excellent. The design limit's ability to close thumb and figure as much, but with issue I have that was needed.

I have been very happy with this brace. It is a good alternative to another brace I got from my orthopedist. It is good at restraining the thumb without incapacitating it completely. The part of the brace which the thumb fits into works fairly well, if the strap over the thumb is left loose. Tightening it causes the semi-free last joint to have uncomfortable interactions with the rim of the thumb sleeve.
Like the other brace I use, I am not comfortable with direct skin-to-plastic contact. I have settled on using light cotton gloves with the tips cut off to protect my skin from sweaty chafing. This is not a beautiful solution. It is the way I found to improve comfort for an appliance I am supposed to wear full time. I still have to take a brace off for wet tasks like cooking and cleaning.
With one quibble, I find this a comfortable brace to wear, which does a great job of protecting the basal joint of the thumb. I would have given another half star if this system allowed that.

I want to reconsider my rating. I am wearing the brace now without difficult while I type. The "quibble" above should be that one should experiment with the thumb strap. For me, with large hands, looser is better.

I have been using a very cumbersome thumb brace that mobilizes my wrist (which I don't need). I debated between this one and the more expensive silicone brace. When I read that the more expensive one requires a "sock" inside of it, I opted for this one. I couldn't be happier! I can wear gloves over it, I can wash my hands. I can complete all tasks without feeling disabled like that bulky wrist brace. I am so thrilled with it and it fits perfectly. Only problem, I took it off for about five minutes this morning and it has literally vanished. I have no idea if my dog dragged it off somewhere or what but I have scoured the entire house for it and it is simply GONE without a trace. I am so upset. I had so much work to do today and won't be able to without my brace. So I ordered a new one and will have to wait until Tuesday to arrive, which can't get here soon enough!

I would give this brace 5 stars if it didn't have the wear issues. That said, I bought a second FLA. I had the same strap issues with my first that many people revile here. I used gray gorilla tape to repair the 1st brace while I break in my second. Having taped the thumb closed on the first brace I have discovered that I never need to open the thumb velcro to put the brace on or to take it off, so the velcro is not subject to the stresses that delaminate the strap nearly as much. I do a fair amount of physical work and my first FLA is still going after a year. When the metal pokes through I use gorilla tape to stabilize it. This brace is so much better than the cloth with stays that is a cheaper option. At the $$$ I want to keep it going as long as possible. I save the new one for when I need to go out in public!

I have tried 5 other braces for my thumb osteoarthritis with level 1 deformity. This is better than the 2 that were prescribed by hand therapist.
1. Strong crisscross bracing on palm surface of hand.
2. More SUPPORT and STABILITY at MP joint up to the distal phalangeal joint of thumb to prevent painful adduction.
3. No hard plastic/metal over prominence of CMC joint to cause pressure soreness.
4. Velcro straps fasten toward thumb side of back of hand so don't catch on things as much and pull open.
5. Overall more comfortable and requiring less padding to inner surfaces to customize fit
6. Best of all less pain with everyday tasks, like just holding coffee cup!
MARCH 2017: wearing brace daily since purchase and ended up SUPER GLUE Velcro straps around thumb and upper back of hand strap, since it kept catching and wearing out. I can slip in and out of thumb slot without having to open and close these 2 straps. I can slip in and out of brace and only have to adjust the lowest strap. Wearing brace full time it gets dirty and undergoes a lot of wear and tear. I place in lingerie bag and throw in washing machine occasionally. Strap at wrist: I slipped a TUBE of stretchy fabric over it to encase the strap closure and this prevents the strap end from catching on things and peeling open. This has greatly helped the wearing ease and helps the Velcro to last much longer! I use a left and right brace but left thumb is in worse condition. I can write, knit and crochet, and everything else in these. I do remove them for food prep for sanitary reasons.
July 2019. Update: I have made my braces last almost 2 years by sewing some Lycra swimsuit fabric into a small diameter tube (3/8 inch by 1 inch length and I slip it on the Velcro strap so it encases the end of the closed strap. This prevents all the wear and tear on the strap and it doesn't catch on anything, and best of all it stays securely fastened. In the picture the fabric tube is navy blue colored and acts kind of like an oversized belt loop.
Feb. 2021 still using one of my 3 FLA braces daily and rotate usage. By using SUPER glue on thumb & upper hand straps I am keeping them closed & preserved for 4 years now. The narrow width loop about 1 inch length that I slide over the closure end of wrist end strap really keeps the strap closed and not catching on clothing (it is dark blue in picture and covers the FLA lettering on strap). Actually what is wearing out is the palm side of grey rubbery material. It has developed some cracks that open and expose the inner metal. I notice the price has certainly increased since I originally purchased these!