Road shoes certainly help with the hot foot I've never done custom so can't comment there.

I have Sidi Women's zeta mesh shoes:



Before these I had Lake CX160's.


The sidi's do a better job keeping my foot cool and comfortable. Can I pedal with them? That's tricky. My answer is yes but not very well or very fast. I use Look pedals, and clip in with my left foot to get started. I don't walk at all, just push down and and hop in the saddle. Sometimes I don't clip my right foot in fast enough and find myself having to keep pedaling anyway So I put my foot completely centered on the right pedal and push carefully. I pull up with my left foot more than anything to keep going. In theory you can pedal with 1 foot for a while and just keep your right foot balanced on the pedal. But you are correct, the bottom of the shoe is smooth so pedaling is a bit tricky. I've learned with trial and error and some "OUCH!" as my foot slips out and I rack myself how to do it.

Hope that helps.