I use these for running and weightlifting and they have served me well. The soles are flat and not mushy like traditional running shoes. The insole is only OK, just like every other shoe I have. There is more sole padding than something like a Five-Fingers shoe so it suits me well: transitioning from regular running shoes to Five-Fingers would have been too drastic. I use a forefoot landing when I run so the first time I used these my calves were sore but I have been fine after that. It is difficult to see in the image but there is very small lip on the outside edge of the sole about halfway back from the front which greatly enhances lateral stability. I am far more confident that I will not roll my ankle in these.