If you're going to run in them John I would suggest 1 mile at a workout and adding mileage onto that one mile to gradually/weekly. I would also suggest looking in to "Chi" or "Pose" running and their warmup techniques and exercises. If you are thinking of going into barefoot running.
A few of the guys I kayak with bought these for our expedition last year and they could'nt get them on with sand on their toes so just a heads up, they spent most of the weekend barefoot.
As far as them helping your knees... or back.. I doubt it.. what will happen is that you will strengthen other "helper" muscles that will in turn help your knees and back.
If you're thinking of going with a minimal shoe look at the Inov-8. Brand of minimal shoes I've got a few miles on a pair of Inov-8 F-Lite 195 and they're awesome. Again Faster and Zappos are some retailers who carry them. They weigh 195 grams and if you didnt have to tie your laces you would not notice them.
Merrel also makes a decent minimalist shoe but I dont have any first hand experience with those. I recommend the F195's without a second thought though.
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