My braces make a huge difference in my life too. I am able to walk much easier enabling me to work, shop etc and lead a pretty active/normal life which would be impossible without them.
I am not able to run in them and going down steps is tricky with my feet being held up.
I use the carbon fiber ones with energy return, the energy return is great and really lessens the fatigue neuropathy can cause----it's tiring on all of my body when it had to compensate for the nerves not working in the lower legs.
My problem is I break them....as soon as it comes in I am going to try a new style called the "wishbone" hopefully since it has 2 places that it hooks to the footplate it will be stronger.
I haven't found any reviews or much info on here about it----its one that was suggested to me by the brace specialist at hanger clinic.