Always wear boots, either lace up(Harley)or western style with good gripping soles. Leather soles are way to slick in gravel, went through a small town in eastern Missouri yesterday that had what looked like granite squares on the street. Man, that crap was slick even with Harley boots. Just felt really unsteady and the bike even felt like it was sliding on the stuff, can't imagine riding on it wet.
Always wear my boots. I spent the last 24 years wearing them in the Army so it's not a big deal for me. I don't feel comfortable in anything else anymore.
boots always. no exception. although i've seen those who wear a tee shirt,shorts, and sandals while riding. idiots indeed. all it takes is one time to end up with a limp, or the loss of a foot. that's permanent.
I wear shorts and shoes most of the time, but the trip is usually very short (15 miles). When I'm going for an all day deal the jeans and protective stuff come out. don't have any good boots yet. Anyone with a size 11 wanna upgrade let me know.
Boots all of the time for me. I would never wear sneakers.
If you want to wear shoes or sneakers, there are a lot of motorcycle specific products like these made by Icon, that at least provide some level of protection.