I've been wearing various water shoes as my primary outdoor shoes for the last 5 years. After long years of foot and ankle problems, including surgery on both ankles, I am free of the ailments that plagued me.
I've settled on the Teva Proton2 thru 4 and the new Nilch. Use them for all hunting, although, on rocky trail or sheep hunting I would use a similar shoe with a more protective sole, but still basically a minimal shoe.
I've packed moose quarters weighing up to 130+ pounds in them, and my feet/ankles were comfortable. For me, I'm sold on my water shoes. They're the modern equivalent of moccasins. Great in the woods.
