This is a great topic. Foot problems can easily isolate a person in the wilderness.

I take many groups of teens on hikes throughout the year. Many of these kids are poor kids from the inner city and this is their first time in the wilderness. Believe it or not here in Brazil kids will show up for a day long hike over rough trails in flip-flops. They know better now, I won't let them go if they don't have at least sneakers on.

On every trip the sole rips off of someone's shoe. The first time this happened I was unprepared and ended up "sewing" the sole back together with fibers from some old rope we found tangled in a creek. On that occasion I used my leatherman to poke holes and drag the threads through the rubber sole. I now always have duct tape and a heavy needle and thread along to fix shoes.

I carry a pair of light sandals in my pack for use around camp and when wading or crossing streams. I never walk in water barefoot (only at the beach), that is just asking for trouble. If I had to they could be used as a back-up for my boots. Mac