These shoes has padded insole with a little arch support. The reason for 4 stars (would of give 3.5 if could) are: staining of socks and questionable comfort: after 2-3 hours of wearing, they live red marks on the skin. Couple of times my little one requested to take them off in the middle of our trips. Of course, feet's shape and width are very individual. Those shoes would probably better fit someone with narrow feet. Keep in mind if choose to buy to keep an extra pair of socks handy as these sandals have open toes (which naturally get dirty fast on little kids) and stain socks, at least at the beginnig.