I have been wearing these for cross fit style training, and have found them to be very comfortable. These have minimal support, and allow for a reasonable mix of protection and feel for the ground. I'm not a barefoot runner, and frankly my running stride isn't conducive to minimal heel padding. However a flat foot position with minimal cushioning is much better for most gym training, and these fit the bill while maintaining good foot flexibility and breathability. My biggest complaint might be that my foot (wide and flat) doesn't seem to fit the shoe across the arch, which seems to be a width issue vice a high arch support issue like I normally run into. This problem is solved by adjusting the laces to allow a looser fit in that area.