In regards to the looks, George, when we chatted yesterday, acknowledged that a more "performance" version of these pads would no doubt sell better. If he made it with a velcro strap, made with say white mesh instead of full on gaps in the pads, he could make them look similar to modern pads, and therefore more suitable for a lot of people. However, George isn't trying to take over the world, and he wanted to go all out on the vintage, old-school look, and he knows it might polarise opinion! It also means the leather and brass makes it a little heavier than it needs to be, but there may be scope for the "performance" version sometime in the future which would combine the best aspects.
The shoe protection is literally just a shoe insole! Looks like an orthotic!