Yep -- the summer of 1981 sure did trash my feet, and my knees even more.
Many many many moons later, I was doing a lot of work on a friend's property, and so bought a pair of Blackhawk desert boots. They felt like a dream then, and still do. Great boot; I think I actually like them more than the various hiking shoes & boots I've worn since I took up this hiking fad. The sueded leather is really about the only reason I wouldn't take them on the AT -- they'd take forever to dry.