Goretex is okay for winter and the shoulder seasons, but I'd skip it in summer for the added ventilation of the standard model--especially if you're hiking in Florida.

Give 'em a try. So long as the fit is good, the support is good and the soles are grippy, hiking in low-tops is usually fine.

Mine never last long (whatever the brand) so over time there's no cost savings, but a good-fitting light pair of shoes well matched to the trail genuinely means less fatigue and more miles.

My "ideal" trail sneakers are light, well-ventilated and ankle-height, because I find they let in less debris, sans gaiters, and keep me from bashing my ankles. Such shoes are very hard to find, however, as most mid-heights tend to also have GT or some other WPB.

Good luck,