I don't have experience using non-staggered layouts, but I have one of these: http://www.geek.com…

If you can get your hands on one of this kind, you might want to try it out and see if you're experiencing pain, too. I don't really know WHAT KIND of pain you're experiencing, so this is a bit a shot in the dark, but most problems usually stem from weird wrist angles. Getting rid of these need not involve getting rid of staggered keys.

Alternatively, teil0 here on keyhero has been training using the Karantsev fingering technique in order to be able to use normal, non-economic keyboards without the detrimental inward wrist angle. Something worth googling.

If you're getting pain from fatique in your fingers and your wrists have nothing to do with it, I would consider trying out one with mechanical key switches instead of a normal rubberdome keyboard.

Thanks for the in-depth response. Kazantsez fingering technique looks interesting, but I think I'm still going to go with a custom built keyboard because I'm obsessed with keyboards lol. I'm currently using a Topre Happy Hacking Pro 2 keyboard, and it's beautiful to type on.

I'm mainly experiencing tiny, sharp pains in the joints of my fingers after typing on keyhero for a solid 2-3 hours. I don't think they're related to wrist pains, though there's no guarantee that wrist pains won't come later.

I have the Truly Ergonomic Computer Keyboard (aka TECK), using the Colemak layout. I love both the keyboard and the layout. I can't say either will make you faster, but they both make for more relaxed typing. The non-staggered keys feel easier and more natural to type on, once you get used to it. If you type a lot daily, especially at one workstation, I can't recommend the keyboard enough.

When it comes to speed, I disagree heavily with keyboards that are split along the middle.

Many of the typers that are able to type 150+ words per minute use little tricks like typing y's with your left hand in passages where your right hand ends up typing a lot, and using your right hand to type b's in passages where your left hand is typing a lot (among other small nuances that greatly improve typing speed). If you have a keyboard that is split along the middle, you aren't able to do these tricks, and it will slow you down in the long run.

If it comes down to a comfort thing though, I guess I cannot argue there. If tying really makes your hands uncomfortable, you can try different keyboard layouts. I know that some of my friends with big hands have told me also that they just end up typing without their pinkies, and it helps a lot.

I can't really tell because I don't use the techniques you're talking of, but you're probably right when it comes to typing at speed in 150+ regions. I don't know if this applies equally to someone using a Colemak layout, though, as OP stated he/she is, as that should already alleviate most of the right/left hand imbalance.