liudr:
For a learning experience, go right ahead. Expect a number of revisions and rework. So get a decent rework station and tools. If you want a product and turn some profit, start with thru-hole parts and avoid spending excessive time on this portion. Your time is money too. We often don't account for it though.Even better, do a double footprint if you have space. Plan on the surface mount chip and have the header for breakout board right next to it. If one doesn't work, you have a back up. How's that sound? If you can find adafruit's design, just copy paste so the header will be there.
Sorry liudr, what do you mean by double foot print? Do you mean just make the PCB twice as big?