I went to clipless pedals prettysoon after getting my first nice bike. Honesty I would never go back to non clipless unless the bike I was using was just for going to the grocery store with a basket and such.

Riding more than 10 miles without having my clipless shoes on is really annoying. When I ride clipless I feel like I am in total control of the bike. I know exactly where my feet are, and where they are going to be so it is one less thing I have tow worry about. Going up hills, the extra pull you get is amazing.

When I ride without the shoes I just balance on the small stubs. I DO NOT fell comfortable with egg baskets. Clipless are 10x easier to get in and out of than egg baskets in my opnion.