In everything it's about being careful. (As everyone here already knows.) We're already taking risk just engaging in our favorite activity. Any time spent hiking in sandals, or even barefoot, to me means being even more careful. I'm always amazed how much "sloppier" my walking becomes with every cover up of my feet. Fortunately, Maine winters override my need to be bare and free. So also do long stretches of pointy sharp rocks underfoot.

As for the stench. Any anti-bacterial soles seem to help me, but they're not quite enough of a solution. Frequent airing during stops, or even brook rinsings (then drying before re-strapping) helps me a lot. But I work outside all year long and these things are second nature