Let me clarify my third idea regarding shoes affecting kick. First off, I must admit that I know next to nothing about coding, so I am not sure if what I am suggesting is plausible, nor do I possess the jargon to describe my idea in the correct terms. However, I will do my best.
So, let's say you have 4 "levels" of shoes.
Level 1 = sandals, moccasins, etc. - kick does 25% of your potential kick damage
Level 2 = sneakers, dress shoes, etc - kick does 50% of your potential kick damage
Level 3 = cowboy boots, heels, etc. - kick does 75% of your potential kick damage
Level 4 = spurs, steel-toed boots, etc. - kick damages at maximum potential
Obviously, this would take a lot of work because it would require somebody to decide on and apply a level to all of the already existing shoes in the game, but hey, it's just an idea.
Jae