Now well in my 70s I am very aware of my balance issues and have experimented with clips w/o the straps that came with some of my vintage bikes and am impressed. I suspect they are more flexible than half clips but have noticed going to these clips has not materially changed the feel in climbing or my times in my favorite 20 mile ride. I would like to try half clips but as my left foot is a full size shorter shoe size and clipless let me dial in the individual sweet spot on the pedal and my Christophe clips vary in length so I get close. I see MKS makes different size clips for height but only offer cumbersome looking spacers for half clip length.