Nope nope nope nope nope nope.
I'm not gonna let you bersmirch sandals in any way as the ultimate form of footware.
Here is the thing, modern footwear stems from the western idea of footwear.
You usually get flat foot for wearing shoes without the proper arching and support and shit.
But guess why that is? Because modern footwear is designed like shit. You need to visit the podiatrist to get insoles/orthotics for your shoes because the footware is made en-masse.
Now. Guess what's one of the recomendations they give you when you visit the podiatrist specialized in orthopedics?
Walk without shoes around the house.
Walk without shoes so your feet can get a natural arch when walking. Walk on the outer side of your feet. Walk on the ball of your feet.
Guess which footwear imitates the shape of your foot? The simple leather sandal.
Now, are you going to run around the dungeon like that, what about the support and traction and insulation...
I would like you to meet...
And the teams of Raramuri Runners from the mountains of Chihuahua, Durango and Sonora, Mexico.
They have won and beaten multiple marathons. Leaving their competitors in the dust.
Why have you probably never heard of them?
Well, they are indigenous people winning marathons and ultra marathons in their sandals while the colonial powers get beaten wearing Nike and Puma and Adidas.
That's not a good image for those brands.
And don't get me wrong. Those same brands have tried to sponsor those same winners, but the Raramuri winners keep rejecting them, arguing that the "sport" shoes just get in their way.
And the brands don't like that. These astonishing runners have been disqualified multiple times after winning for not wearing "proper footwear".
And don't tell me they don't have traction or insulation. These are the same huaraches (sandals) that they wear when running the mountains they live in. Under the sun of 50°C (122°F).
These people run marathons wearing their traditional clothes. Which as you can see has some similitude to the outfit Marcille is wearing.
Now, I'm not saying Marcille is indigenous, she is obviously Italian. But...
Every character has clothes that match their role
Chilchuck is wearing boots that are easy to slip off so he can be protected from traps most of the time while easy to get out in case he needs to use his bare feet to feel the ground around.
Laios is your traditional human fighter. He needs protection on his feet and boots that are big enough to fit his armor and are probably studded at the toes. He is a northern man which means his boots are probably warm too.
Meanwhile, look at senshi. While he is also a fighter you can see he is also wearing sandals. Wearing armor just in the right places that need protection, the shins and the feet have a metal protuberace he can use when doing a proper kick.
Izutsumi being a rogue cat, doesn't need much armor. Her role. Much like marcille is not the front lines, and just like her, needs to be light and have (no) footwear that allows her to run when necessary.
When you compare Laios experienced party, versus Kabru's you can see how they all lack experience down to their footwear.
Daya is a fighter with armor that let's too much exposed skin. Compare it to Senshi, and you can see how she is extremely vulnerable to attacks from behind and she is not wearing a helmet.
Look at Namari's gear, she is also wearing sandals, but her armor has better protection.
Meanwhile...Mickbell is a rogue that's wearing heavy armor like the one Daya is wearing.
And I can't add more images, but Kuro another fighter has no protection from his waist down... which would make sense if he got to fight on all fours but then his gauntlets cover his upper paws/hands and may hinder mobility.
All these to say that (leather) Sandals are underestimated footwear and that Marcille has the right equipment for an experienced member of the party whose role is to be on the back and ready to run.
