Obviously its very much horses for courses. However, I wonder if part of the problem you had was in pairing the "wet feet" approach with leather boots. I walk in non-waterproof Innov8 trail runners for most of the year. For me one of the benefits has been a complete lack of blisters, wet or dry, when compared to boots. However, the shoes are very soft fabric and mesh, like a very thin trainer really, and as a result there really is no stiff outer to rub against my skin, regardless of whether my socks are dry or wet. To be honest it feels like walking in slippers when compared to traditional boots, and its that softness, and hence comfort, that keeps me wearing them, despite the fact that they don't keep my feet dry.