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…...

PBA players are skewed in a way as well. How likely are staffers for track/ebi/columbia/hammer to wear Storm or Brunswick brand shoes?

Many will likely not have that as an option. Dexter makes and has made great shoes for years. I've owned several. Currently Brunswick TPUx are my favorite.

Still have my Brunswick pros by Dexter as backups.

Have you tried putting in orthotics into the Dexters?
That and adding a spacer on the heal to raise it up works well

The stiffness in the toe area was the first thing I noticed when I put them on, that's why I mentioned it. But thanks for your explanation of my opinion.

If it doesn't fit someone's opinion of what it should be they will manage to find everything wrong with it...

Orthotics? No but possibly go to a Fleet Feet or somewhere that can help you with the athletic portion of fitting...they should be able to recommend the proper insert

After I brought it up you said I'd have to be doing a ballerina pose at the finish to be able to feel something I felt as soon as I put on the shoes and walked around. Good thing you posted that and then went back and looked at the shoes.

I never said anything about this being a hard plastic are being a problem.  I said it felt different and takes some getting used to.  (Different than pretty much every pair of shoes I've ever tried on, except steel toes).  Then you went on explaining how my opinion was wrong.  Read what is written, not what you think it says.

And I stand by my comment that Dexter could have put a better insole in the shoe.  I went through my closet and golf locker.  EVERY pair of shoes I own that has an insole has a better insole in them than the 9's.

It wouldn't matter if they made them like a dress shoe with no insert in them as far as I'm concerned.  I don't have any problems with my feet.  I grew up with Lind Classics.  Every other bowling shoe ever made is more comfortable.  I can stand in dress shoes all day or walk the golf course every day in FJ Classics.  But if a company is going to sell a shoe for $190 and it has an insole it should be higher quality than the one they have put in this shoe.