These shoes are definitely supportive for ballet flats. My heels hurt a little when I wear them on long walks, so I think they run slightly small. I'm usually an 8.5, which is what I got, but in retrospect a 9 might have been better. Hopefully the elastic will wear out a little over time. The grounding aspect seems to work when you walk on natural earth (grass/boulders/dirt/sand), but I don't think it works as well when you walk on roads/sidewalks. I LOVE that they're vegan. I wish Pluggz would make more vegan options.