It is more doable now than at launch but the early game will be painfully slow if you stay on foot the whole way. Lancing with a horse vs Looters builds skills and just feels more interesting than constantly running, weaving, and looking for terrain or buying cheap troops just to distract looters.
Once you get some level in athletics, decent, gear, and a good shield I'd say it is completely viable though unlike horse archers, taking down entire enemy parties of 50+ is not possible unless you want to take 8 hours for a single battle.
Once you get some level in athletics, decent, gear, and a good shield I'd say it is completely viable though unlike horse archers, taking down entire enemy parties of 50+ is not possible unless you want to take 8 hours for a single battle.