All the reasons you listed are why I wear hiking boots. They have winter insulation, stiff sole, and the snow shoe strap fits snugly around the heel. I often say that I will have these boots until I die!
But, I understand how frustrated you must have been. I'd be really upset if my vacation was ruined. I've never had equipment failure, only forgetting clothing. Once, I forgot my jacket for x country skiing, so I layered up and wore my Shak as an outer layer at about 5 degrees F. It worked. I was not going to buy another jacket.