I learned a similar lesson about footwear the hard way in a twitchy taildragger during winter by one day wearing flying boots (RAF type) and thick socks (have no heater so trying to stay warm!)
I couldnt feel a flipping thing through the pedals and both the take-off and landing were shocking zig-zaggy affairs, I now fly with as thin soled shoes as I can get away with, deck shoes or similar work well and you get a much better 'feel' of whats going on.