I made a very basic decision awhile back. I never leave my living space wearing any footwear that lack laces, at least. Usually, I'm wearing a pair of waterproof mid-weight hiking boots.
This serves a fantastic double purpose. First, I am able to run flat out whenever such a situation might warrant it: such as catching a bus or taxi, being generally late, or potentially escaping a bad situation. Secondly, I get to silently chuckle at everybody circumventing the large puddles that are prone to collect in the streets or sidewalks (Seattle boy here

) in their sneakers or loafers as I stomp through them with no hesitation whatsoever in my Gore-Tex Lowas. In my experience, the boots last longer as well.