One of the most important choices you will have to make when it comes to equipment is your footwear. That said, some people wear flip flops (thongs) for their entire trip, some wear hiking boots, some go barefoot.
Space requirements will dictate what footwear you can take. If you bring shoes, sandals, running shoes, flip flops, and hiking boots, then you might not have much room in your pack for anything else.
Two pairs of footwear should be sufficient for most situations; one pair of ‘proper’ closed shoes or boots with good support and protection from dirt, rocks, thorns, nails, glass, jagged metal, insects, parasites, snakes, and little accidents; and a pair of sandals/flip flops.
Make sure all footwear is broken in and comfortable when walking any distance.
Shoes
Regular dress/business/work shoes are not recommended for travel. A good compromise, if you need something more dressy or formal on occasion but something more practical at other times, are walking shoes, especially in dark or neutral colours.
Sandals
These include brands such as Teva, Birkenstock, Keen, etc. They are light like flip flops, but also supportive and protective, however, they are not always cheap. If you get the right pair they can pretty much fulfill all your footwear needs.
After searching long and hard and trying on hundreds of shoes I finally picked a pair of 
Keen Sandals
If you wear them with socks then you can avoid sunburned feet and smells. I wear 
Brasher ankle socks (with my Keen Newport sandals
Boots
Hiking boots can be heavy, hot and take a long time to dry if they get wet. If you need to walk any distance off the beaten track then you can get away with good quality running shoes, walking shoes, light leather or canvas trail shoes.
If you do choose to wear boots then make sure they have support for you ankles and arches.
Remember, if you take them with you, then if you aren’t wearing them then you will be carrying them, which will take up space in your bag and add extra weight.
Flip-flops
Good for walking to the shower, on the beach and for short walks around cities. However, they leave your feet exposed to the sun, insects, dirt, thorns, etc., and give no support.
Sports/running/tennis shoes
Support and protect your feet (but not your ankles which you will need to do for hiking). Also can be packed away quite easily if you want a change of footwear. Will dry quickly but any leather on them will eventually rot.
Modern hiking shoes are a cross between sports shoes and hiking boots and also have a shank in the sole to protect your arches on rough surfaces and are a good compromise.
