I'm all for organizing your gear the way you see fit, but I do think there may be another factor here that may or may not be a concern :-/

Depending on your body weight, layers of clothes and gear you hang on your person, will your choice of PFD keep you supported when needed?

You add the weight of your choice of footwear that may or may not fill with water and you could easily be outfitting yourself to the point of  being unsafe?

I keep a lot of gear for a " ditch" in the pockets of my Cabelas mesh PFD. When I bought the vest, I loaded it up and wearing my usual springtime paddling wear, I went for a dip in the local lake. I weigh between 185-200 lbs depending on season/workout regime.

I wear water-shoes with the Brookie Knee Highs. I floated okay IF I had them cinched tight at knee, but if they filled with water, I bobbed like a cork even in calm water. With wind and waves I would have to roll them down to ankles or remove them altogether IF the cinch didn't keep the water out.

I love the vest and adjusted the ditch gear accordingly. I was also at 200 lbs which is higher that normal for me.

It might pay to add your belt gear weight up and substituting waterproof weights, go for a test swim wearing your paddling clothes/footwear and PFD of choice.

Might prove illuminating depending on your weight, gear/clothes/footwear worn and choice of PFD ;)