Toe straps are the way to go! I've never used clipless pedals but if there is a way to get out of them i could only imagine that it wouldn't be any good for using up force. With toe straps just a little practice (getting in them) allows you to use both down and up force! I am not completely sure about the clipless lacking this ability but I do know the only way out of straps is back out the way you came... I love em, they are cheap, safer, convenient, and you can use your existing shoe, also good for sharing a bike with another person (VARIETY). clipless just seems soooo extravagant to me. I've done wheelies with the straps and when I pop em too high and fall backwards... i slip right out of the straps and land on my feet. I would not be able to do that with clipless.