I have a goretex jacket and two bivvy bags. Correct, it isn't waterproof though it is water resistant and repellent enough. It's performance does degrade over time and does require a wash in something like tek-wax to restore it. My bivvy bags are milsurp so I wouldn't want to have them in heavy rain without a tarp.
Like you, I'd stay away from the shoes. My experience, usually watching others with failing goretex, is that water ingress happens around stress points - where the fabric is moved alot. For me, that would rule out almost all footwear except stiff boots or boots So expected to replace often. My hiking boots do have goretex membranes - which have performed well for me do far, but then I don't expect much from them, as in I'll cross a creek in them, but won't walk down the creek.
Mind you, unless I'm loaded up or going on scree, I prefer trail runner and Merino socks. Yeah, the feet get wet, but they stay warm and dry out fast enough. Easy enough to dry feet and change socks at a snack break anyway. I guess everyone figures out their own systems.

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