Have you ever raced? Or at least done the local p-measuring contest ride?

I started out riding flats with toe clips. Then moved to SPD's then to the SL's.

The issue is, pros DID used to ride with toe cages. But, their shoes were still specialized. Read the book "Gironimo" about a guy riding the 1914 Giro in period correct attire and bike. He goes over this in exhaustive detail.

Track racers also still use toe cages, but again, it isn't some floppy super cush tennis shoe crammed into a $10 Amazon.com toe cage on flats.

It's this: https://www.purecycles.com/products/g-race-track-straps