[RPatrino]

Mike said,
"And if he's doing youth ball, you can wait on the steel toed shoes until you know if he's serious."

I had a terrific young umpire who worked Minors ball that didn't wear steel toed shoes (against my advice) who took a foul ball in the foot and broke two toes. He missed half the season and was never the same after that. He got very jumpy behind the plate and never stayed still. He eventually quit umpiring.

So, do what you feel is best, but I would never advise anyone get behind the plate without protection on their feet.