I have a pair of DMR V8s (cheaper version of the V12) and get on fine with them - nothing to compare then with. They are pretty grippy when used with my waffle soled Vans and I have only mashed my shin once.

Shin friendly or not I don't think I would ever want to ride flat pedals offroad that didn't have pins in them to grip my feet particularly if yo've been using clipless. You also need the pins to keep a smooth pedal stroke as you actually pull the pedal up a bit on the upstroke (hard to describe) and I'm not sure you could do this without pins, you'd just mash all the time.