Pedals - with or without platform?

[vinuneuro]

I'm looking at Shimano XTR/XT M9020/8020 and M9000/8000 pedals. How much does the surrounding platform actually help? Is there a certain shoe sole stiffness after which it doesn't matter anymore?

[mattr]

Depends on if your sole actually meets the platform or not. Most remotely racy shoes don't. The platform works best in case you don't click in quite spot on and still need to make a couple of pedal strokes.
Bigger problem i have (with SPD in particular) is my foot rocking. Giving me sore ankles and knees. There's a recent thread on this that i've posted in.