Glad I read enough here re: minimalist shoes

Welcome to the club!

Be a little cautious; if this is your first time in minimalist shoes, you could injure yourself using them too frequently or for long periods of time until you finish adjusting. It took me about 4 months.

Enjoy!

Yes, I learned that the hard way last year. I decided to try trail running with a pair and developed bursitis in one heal from over doing it. both Achilles became very swollen as well.

It may have been because of the running though and not the shoes but more likely the combination. I had not run in awhile and was bicycle racing for years before.

I slowly transitioned back to them over the last 8 or so months wearing 4mm drop shoes most the time, which I think is what the NB I bought are. I also got some Pure Grit II in case the mt10 were not protective enough but ended up not wearing them for any of the hikes or backpacking I did.

both my wife and I were amazed how much less perceived effort we felt as well as the fact we simply did not think about our feet during or after a long days backpacking through rugged terrain.

Grip and stability were notably increased.

I liked the massage like feel I received through all the rocks. Especially the big, round rocks on the arch, sorta like rolling out the plantar fascia.

I'm kind of surprised you made jump directly from boots to minimalist trail runners. I think the usual progression would be from boots > trail runners > minimalist trail runners. Glad it's worked for you, though.

I only mention b/c some boot-wearers might have impression that all trail runners are minimalist and that's definitely not the case. Minimalist trail runners both (1) weigh less than regular trail runners and (2) have much less "drop" from heel to toe than regular trail runners. The lower drop, in particular, is what causes or aggravates Achilles problems for many.

One alternative to minimalist trail runners could be something like Montrail trail running shoes. Montrail's models are generally traditional drop (e.g., 10mm) and have some padding, not super-lightweight. But they're also made with pretty pliable soles, so your shoe/foot will still roll around rocks in way you describe.

Wait until you hike a 20+ mile day on rocks in them with a 25 lb pack before you draw judgement. Feet get sore.

Re: "Wait until you hike a 20+ mile day on rocks in them with a 25 lb pack before you draw judgement. Feet get sore."

This is true until you are conditioned.
When I was young I never wore shoes in the summer and hiked a lot of Southern Utah.
The soles of my feet were more durable than shoes and they repaired themselves.

I couldn't do that now though. Living and working in the city has ruined my feet.

That was our average for 3 days in a row on one of the trips, but I did not have that heavy of a pack (nor will I ever)