I learned about Merrill hiking shoes from your report and they may be exactly what I need for the Costa Rican Rainforest in January so thank you for that tip.
I am a very careless traveller and, apart from Malarone (where indicated), I don't take any of those precautionary items on the trail (and not much in my suitcase either.
I am one of those idiots who never carry water nor wears any sort of hat —even in a desert or on the Equator . . . "Mad Dogs and English Women . . ."?
But those Merrill shoes do look as though they could be useful in a rain forest.