Plain toe bals?

Brought this up on the latest iteration of AE vs. Alden (aka Alien vs Predator) but thought I'd more than the one (kind & thoughtful) reply I got there if I gave this query a post of its own. What is the wisdom of the forum in re: plain toe bals? How do they compare to cap toes? (In terms of aesthetics, versatility, durability, formality, etc, etc.) I note that Alden makes at least three plain toe bals, on the Barrie, Plaza, & Aberdeen lasts. (The three shoes on the second row of this pic: ) All we ever talk of here are cap toes. Are plain toe bals justly ignored? Or can they take the place of cap toes?