I took a lesson from the hiking world and put Superfeet insoles in the running shoes I use for cycling. They have a plastic sole stiffener that helps, at least marginally. I started off in the 70s with toe clips, switched to clipless in the 90s, then back to toe clips when I wore the shoes and pedals out and balked at the cost of replacing them. They were going to cost more than my bike is worth. I just don't notice enough of a difference in the way I ride now to justify the cost. Also, I combine many bike trips with hiking trips and I don't like sustained walking on metal cleats. They make me slip on rocks.

Both methods have a short learning curve, of course. You definitely don't look or sound (click! click!) as cool with toe straps.