Over the years I've used:
Heavy leather hiking boots-no wet foot-awful
LL Bean Maine Guide boots-ok for wet footing but poor traction on wet surfaces.
Trail running shoes-lightweight, great traction and drainage but they allowed alot of sand and gravel to enter.
Lightweight ankle height hikers with extra drainage holes-great traction and support but they still allowed too much sand and gravel inside.
Still looking for the perfect solution.