Even going into combat with unprotected hands or feet can be a very bad idea. Because obviously if your hands get smashed you wont be able to hold a weapon to fight and defend with, and if your feet break you wont be able to walk or run.
One could rely on a sword's guard for example to protect the hands and aside from feet usually being protected by some sort of footwear, it's actually not that easy to hit them in the first place. Arms and legs on the other hand...
