I did get into the whole idea of barefoot shoes/boots at one time and the concept appealed . The reality for me was different though as I like the idea of my feet being well protected from heavy thorns or anything sharp , come to that .
I wear boots at the moment with soles that flex relatively easy but that gives me a better sense of what is underneath my feet.
The idea that our ankles need strong support though is something I have problems with . Our feet and legs have developed very well entirely on their own over eons .
I have twisted my ankle slightly a few times on stones etc , but I feel that if we stay reasonably fit and conditioned then a slight twist is not going to bother a person much . On the other hand a pot hole or a stone underneath our boot may still end up damaging an ankle even with leather wrapped around our ankles ...& I agree with Ronin that if boots are too stiff then I get too much of a vague feel for what I am walking on .
I like the look of the Altberg Sneekers because they look like something that would allow a feel for what is lying underneath & be comfortable , and because of them being high might be nice and water proof in long grass etc, as long as the leather is looked after well . With all the rain we have had in the last six months I`m getting through Graingers G Wax like it is going out of fashion...
It is the usual problem though in that how do we know if a boot will fit well unless we try them on , and at the moment it is mail order or wait a few months. ...