I do know that running around barefoot in tropical climes is definitely not a good idea. I picked up a terrible case of impetigo from running in the jungles in the Philippines-trying to live up to my name LOL
In the Americas, after the civil war, most of the veterans were no doubt wearing their brogans or cavalry boots from their military days. These were rather like modern chukka boots in height and had a leather sole. Surely they wore down quickly and needed frequent repair.