This has always been a weird take, what do you think attracts people to that kind of SAR work? Generally a love for the outdoors and activities like this. You’ll have a hard time finding someone capable of high angle rescue that doesn’t enjoy or understand climbing as a sport.
Nobody who matters judges new shoes, but you can also extend the life of your shoes by resoling them before they get torn up. https://rockandresole.com/ does mail in resoling, but there could be a place near you. Huge savings considering the cost of shoes these days. I have a few pairs I rotate through while some are being resoled