Not directly related but we always have a 24 inch gear, our own 2 feet. Yes, I said it. I walk really steep hills rather than destroying myself and sometimes it feels good to walk. If I can ride at 3 mph, my walking speed might be 2 mph or a touch more. Not during a race but when touring or randonneuring, if there is a 15% hill, I often walk and my brevet times are not terribly slow despite wasting time walking. I think I recally Jan Heine walking steep hills on 600K brevets (and still doing them in under 24 hours)
What has generally worked for me is having one more climbing gear that I think I need. So, if I think 34x28 is enough, I make sure I have a 34x32. Secondly, I want good chainline and one tooth steps when using the big ring. If OP is not routinely using the 50 x 13, 14, 15 on the flats.....definitely get much smaller rings.