I'll bet that more than one Roman got left by the side of the road when he ripped a toenail off, stubbed and broke a couple of toes, had a rock fall on a toe, etc.

I have seen backpackers far from anywhere carrying a monster pack in sandals, even barefoot, and I personally think that is foolish. I once saw a female officer, in open toed sandals, drop a S&W .44 mag (empty) from about five ft height, onto her foot. It knocked her big toenail completly off, putting her on cruches for several days. Have that happen in the boonies, you are in trouble. A shoe/boot does more than protect the bottom of your foot, it also provides support and protection for the entire foot, and possibly the ankle (if the tops are high enough)...