Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,139
Likes: 6,365
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Aaron, toe clips have improved. The mountain style don't bother the tops of your feet.
One advantage toe clips (more accurately called traps or cages) have is that you can use them with just about anything on your feet. Some people won't buy SPD shoes, and some people have them but won't wear them on the bike all the time.
I agree SPD are easier to get in and out of than cages, even for a beginner. But I'm adept at both now, so that's not much of a factor for me. It is for some.
I have the Perl Izumi shoes that AusTexMurf shows us. They are as good for walking as any other shoe. I can walk five miles in them with no compromise in comfort or fatigue. To me, that means there is no compromise. I like them that much.