When I used toe clips and straps, even if I had cleated shoes there was always the possibility I would accidentally pull my foot out ... especially when shifting from seated to out-of-the saddle climbing. I could cinch the strap down really hard, but then it would be uncomfortable. With clipless pedals, there much less of a chance of disengagement, and dialing up the spring tension doesn't affect foot comfort.

I've never experienced or seen a shoe upper separate from the sole; IMO it's not a valid argument against clipless. Really, if toe clips were indeed superior to clipless, clipless would have just been another Power Grip; an anomoly, and not the standard.