The whole power transfer thing is true when using walking shoes.

However, I have some duegi touring shoes and some duegis with the clip and strap cleat. THe touring ones have superstiff sole with no cleat and are great everyday riding shoes. THe ones with the cleat are as stiff as any clipless shoe and with the cleat plus the strap I have equal if not better power transfer as with clipless. Many track riders still use straps and clips with cleats since there is almost no chance of unlipping. For those of you who have road shoes. yellowjersey.org sells a cleat that can be mounted on any modern clipless road shoe that will engage with your clip and strap pedal. Works great and really really locks you in.

Welcome to the club Judah!