I would guess that was more about people having rushed out for fancy new boots they'd never worn (and 'broken in') before, rather than the comparative quality/a

I would guess that was more about people having rushed out for fancy new boots they'd never worn (and 'broken in') before, rather than the comparative quality/appropriateness of footwear? I've never walked in flip flops, but I always take a pair to change into when we stop. People sit around in hot sweaty boots and socks, best case they're wetter & smellier than they need to be for the next day; quite likely to start rubbing and give sores; at worst promoting nasty fungal/bacterial goings on.