The insole is fabric. I like the fact that these are footless which makes it more comfortable for my son. I tend to keep my fingers close to the scroll wheel and something about that ledge just felt right. I am glad i invested in this product and would recommend anyone else to do the same. The company is great though and customer service shipped me a new pair in a size 11 and they are perfect now. Also the sling back is longer than the heel of the sole. AND fit better. In a publishing world filled with apocalypses, Wheeler manages to create a new threat, or at least one I have never read: Coronal Mass Ejection. They are very slippery, and your foot slides forward in the shoe easily. Subsequently, I tried them on and they were sub-par at best.