Gavra, it may be a different madreiga, but I wouldn’t say higher. Especially, if your rav tells you you MUST wear socks, then that is your minimum. If I am also keeping the minimum, then we are both technically at the same level, even though we are keeping different things.
And I don’t think people who follow different paths are better or worse. Do I think a chasid who wears a bekeshe and streimel is better? Nope (especially because I think they miss the boat on understanding WHY the founders started wearing those garmets. But I digress). Nor someone who wears a black hat and jacket. I don’t think a woman who shaves her head before covering it is any better than one who covers her head/hair either. So long as you are following halacha, you are following halacha.
I think there is a difference between being respectful to your hosts (minhag hamakom)…I try to, or avoid situations where it becomes a problem. When I go to Lakewood, if I am not wearing socks, I don’t go into the downtown/stores area. I stay at my sister’s house.