Everyone is different but I would be lost without foot rests. My boats get loaned around so I always install them in so different people can use it.

I tried a couple of brands and now all I sell is the SeaDog line. They are by far my favorite, easiest to adjust and at $29 they are very reasonable too.

I install mine with an aluminum bracket that attaches to the the stringers. But you can just notch a piece of wood to fit between two stringers, swap out the mounting screws with longer ones and attach them to the wood bracket you made. Just make sure the screw heads clear the skin!