Very interesting discussion here.
Vulc shoes for skateboarding never did very well with me. I started off using Van Old Skools...after switching to something with a lot less minimalist like a Etnies Sal 23, the difference was seriously night and day.
Never went back, although I did use Vulcs for casual chill shoes - Chucks, PF Flyers, etc. Living in a big city, using a rail system, and walking all over the place, I can say that thin Vulcs didn't suit me for long periods of walking either.
Now, one thing I have a hard time getting used to are skate shoes with the airbag in the heel or shoes that have a heel that is higher off the ground relative to the rest of the sole. I like shoes where the sole feels fairly flat and level. Not to say that I don't want arch support for my flat feet though. This is why I'm a fan of the footprint insoles. I actually wore out the older water injection ones in my running shoes, not skateboarding. Have a newer version (the Alvarez ones) that I'm testing for walking only right now. They're comfortable but I don't have a firm opinion on them yet. I'd be curious to try them skating both in vulcanized and cupsole shoes to see how they do.
Re: tennis shoes, it seems like there is a lot of debate about what works best among non-professional players - mirroring skateboarding somewhat. Doesn't sound like professional players are moving over to minimalist shoes at all though. See this discussion:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413535I think the debate going on in running is probably similar. For jogging and such, I definitely prefer a more cushioned shoe (using Brooks Trance 10s) and wouldn't dream of using a pair of those toe-finger slipper things.