Hey, to each their own. I used a nice vest for years, but when several different chest-pack models started showing up on the scene I thought I'd try one out. After trial and error with several different brands I settled on the William Joseph version, which is now replaced by their magnetic series.
I've love my WJ, bought it on sale (Madison River Fishing Company-MRFC) and wouldn't trade it for anything.
As far as seeing your feet, I can't feel my feet let alone see them, but I wade with a staff and watch the water ahead of me and haven't found there to be a problem of not seeing my feet when using a chest pack.
My vest gave me a serious neck and back ache when I wore it because I kept everything in it. Now I know I have limited space and make sure I choose wisely what I carry in it for the water I'm fishing.
I also wade deep in my favorite spring creek so it's imperative that I have something that I can adjust to ride quite high so things stay dry. The WJ fits the bill on all counts.
Good luck.
Kelly
Tight Lines,
Kelly.
"There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home."
Roderick Haig-Brown, "Fisherman's Spring"