One distinction is that they're quite hard to ride w regular soled shoes. Disadvantage if you want to ride with normal shoes. Advantage if a thief wants to ride the bike away.
I've been using them for two years. When they wear out, or when I buy my next touring/general use bike, I'm going back to straps which I used for the prior 20. I've decided that for the kind of riding I do clipless pedals aren't worth the expense and inconvenience.