Footwear of a destructive age? (5)

I believe the answer is:

sabot

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'footwear' is the definition.
(I know that sabot is a type of footwear)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for sabot that I've seen before include "Wooden clog" , "Boast about wooden shoe" , "footwear from Paris" , "what's afoot?" , "Carved shoe -- boats (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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