These slippers do have the arch support which is why I bought them, but other than the soft terry covering they are not soft at all.  I bought a size 9 since that is my usual shoe size and I will keep them since the arch seems to be in the right place, but they are too long for my foot otherwise (and I have long toes).  If I need new ones in the future I'd probably try the size 8 (I wish they had half sizes since I do wear an 8 1/2 in some shoes).  My foot is on the narrow side of a medium width and to get the best support from the arch I needed to adjust the velcro as tight as I could against my foot.  This makes it a little snug for a slipper, but the arch is supported better this way.  The sole of the shoe is not flexible at all, but it is lightweight.  The footbed seems to be nothing more than a hard orthotic shape covered in the soft terry so there is no cushioning whatsoever.  This might sound like a reason to return the slipper, but I really need something that I can walk around the house in and keep my feet aligned properly and these do that quite well.  I definitely like them better than isotoners or dearfoams for the foot support, but I miss the softness of memory foam slippers for the soles of my feet.  Even so, I could feel the difference immediately and my legs and knees are feeling better already.