RE: what's the advantage?
I prefer Aluminum shoes too. I've ran carbon shoes for a long time, until I tried Aluminum ones. Now I'm using the stock Kyosho shoes and springs and that combo works good.
I have only seen Kyosho ones for $18-$22 but I'm not sure which ones are the cheapest as I have yet to purchase or compared them. I've gotten them in a trade or with a kit..lol.