I have clips and straps on my old bike, and Nashbar look clones on my modern bike.

I've been riding on these clipless pedals for about 3 years now, and I find the clipless pedals to be gentler on my knees (because of the float, I guess), so for that reason, I prefer them for longer (say, over 30 miles) or hillier rides.

But in panic situations, I fail to unclip from the clipless pedals a couple times a year. My arm still aches from the last time, which was a couple months ago. I ended up lying on the road that time; luckily, a car wasn't coming at that moment. Clips and straps are more automatic for me, after 30+ years of riding with them. I only ever fell once with clips and straps, on the very first day I rode with them, when I was 15.

As for shoes, I've always worn cycling shoes. I've never used cleats with toe clips. I have the same pair of Avocet rubber-soled (with am internal stiffener--metal, I think) cycling shoes I've had forever (25-30 years). (I'm looking for something to replace these with, by the way.) For clipless, I have a very stiff, comfortable pair of Cannondale-branded shoes I got on sale on Nashbar or Performance. If I think I'm going to be walking a lot on my ride, I'll bring along some lightweight walking shoes.