I picked up my new "THE 9" shoes today, and threw 3 games to make sure I didn't make an expensive mistake.   
 
Here are some of my first impressions: 

The 9s have a more streamlined profile than my SST8s. When I first looked at them, I almost thought they would be too small. But when on the feet, they're every bit as roomy as my SST8s. As advertised, the leather is soft, and they're comfortable without any need for break-in. It did take me the first two games to comfortably wear in the new S7 sole. I used one of my broken-in H7 red leather soles from my SST8s. The H5 that comes with the 9s is too much brake for my tastes.
 
The design of the 9s should correct a few of the major complains about the SST8s. First, there is finally a replaceable toe guard. It's built into the replaceable soles that integrate perfectly into the shoe. Wear out the toe guard? Simply replace the sole. It's a vast improvement over the clunky toe cap used on the 3G Ultras. Second, the 9s have built-in sole flex points that should largely eliminate the cracking many experienced on the SST8s. That's the problem that finally killed my SST8, although I got 5 years and close to 3,000 games out of the pair.
 
Only time will tell if the improved design translates to longevity. My initial impressions of the 9s is that they're solid and should last as long as I want to keep them. Given the total dollar investment, I'm hoping so…...

Because they do not suit your needs does not translate to ridiculous...Dexter shoes are worn by more professionals...especially ones that aren't paid to

Just Rico is a former "staffer type" for Dexter and he will not give any credence to any shoe other than Dexter.  He dismisses Brunswick TPU-X, 900 Global 3G's as sub-standard to any Dexter shoe produced. Even though everyone knows there have been numerous problems with the Dexter SST 8's and others in the Dexter line.
The Dexter 9's may prove to be a great shoe, but that has not yet proven.
Right now the Brunswick TPU-X is the most comfortable shoe out there  and as far as sturdiness equals performance try telling that to Parker Bohn III, WRW, JR. and Johnny P. and see what they have to say about the TPU's.
Give it up JUST RICO and let time tell whether the SST9;s are great or not.  Your "pitching them" as the best thing to hit the bowling shoe market before they are proven, makes no sense. Time will tell, not you!

Just Rico is a former "staffer type" for Dexter and he will not give any credence to any shoe other than Dexter.  He dismisses Brunswick TPU-X, 900 Global 3G's as sub-standard to any Dexter shoe produced. Even though everyone knows there have been numerous problems with the Dexter SST 8's and others in the Dexter line.
The Dexter 9's may prove to be a great shoe, but that has not yet proven.
Right now the Brunswick TPU-X is the most comfortable shoe out there  and as far as sturdiness equals performance try telling that to Parker Bohn III, WRW, JR. and Johnny P. and see what they have to say about the TPU's.
Give it up JUST RICO and let time tell whether the SST9;s are great or not.  Your "pitching them" as the best thing to hit the bowling shoe market before they are proven, makes no sense. Time will tell, not you!

TPU-x made by callway are comfortable but wear out way too quickly to any pair of dexter. I will stick with dexter

Bowlaholic, I think "fair" means to provide input through having experience with the 9s. It seems a few here have made reaching speculation about what the shoe is and isn't without having seen them, much less actually having bowled with them.
 
You're right that only time will tell if the 9s live up to expectations. However, on paper, they have more features than any shoe on the market. And they are very comfortable. I've never tried on a pair of TPUs, so I don't have a basis for comparison. But in my experience with the 9s so far, if a bowler doesn't find them more than acceptably comfortable, there is something seriously wrong with their feet. I really doubt this will ever be one of the arguments against the shoe.

Are they comfortable to the guys that used to wear old Linds, probably.  Are they comfortable to the generation that thinks flip flops are shoes, maybe not.

My take-The two inches of hard plastic at the front of the shoe that doesn't flex definitely feels different and takes some getting used to, and for a shoe that is going to retail for $190 Dexter could have sprung for a little better insole. 

So.........why do most touring pros not sponsored by Dexter wear Dexter? 

Are the pros allowed to wear older shoes, like Lind's?  I think they can only wear/use items from companies that pay the PBA fee, but are older items no longer in production allowed?

When 'its what the pros use' comes up, they are limited to what companies paid the fees, right?