Is it permissible to pray in clean, ritually pure shoes, or is that legally reprehensible (makruh)?

Praying with sandals is permissible if they are clean, and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, whether verbal or practical, indicates this. However, it is disliked today due to the carpeting of mosques. The Prophet's mosque was not carpeted, and the Companions used to pray on dirt and pebbles. Praying with sandals in carpeted mosques causes the carpets to become dirty and inconveniences the worshipers. And anything that harms or distracts worshipers is forbidden in Islamic law.