I tried regular plastic ones and the experience was not what I had expected. The ones you mention above seem a lot better, still I think I would prefer to just use longer finger nails like Mike Oldfield does for instance – you get a better feel for the strings. As for the fret finger tips just practice, and they will get tougher over time (expect some skin to peel off every once in a while). I know this is probably not what you wanted to hear, but just like barre chords, and figuring out strumming patterns on your own, this is the way it is ;-) Good luck!