I have not ridden without some sort of mechanical foot-to-pedal fixture since I was a child. I finally took the plunge to clipless last year after two and half decades of toeclips. What did I learn?

I started with the SPD style cleat/pedal set-up mentioned already. These, I believe are originally from the MTB realm of our sport, and generally use comfy shoes, even sandals, that one can walk in. The shoes can be had with aggressive thread for hauling your bike up muddy slopes and stuff (MTB-style). They are often not so stiff, for off-the-bike comfort, but the trade off is less efficient pedaling.

The cleat is a little metal piece, screwed into the shoe and somewhat recessed, but not enough to prance across your in-law's hardwood floor. They are available with more or less release options.

They were easy to adapt to. If you miss a clip-in at the traffic light, just keep pedaling while scooting your foot around, and eventually you will engage. Side to side heel movement is generous. Getting out seems very intuitive and swift.

Then I got a vintage road bike with Look style pedals. After resisting for a few months I finally found a pair of shoes that would accept the big plastic cleats needed for this set-up. This is a completely different world.

Walking is an emergency measure only. The shoes are rigid as a board and the thick protruding cleat makes your stride very awkward. And the cleat get worn quickly. But the riding part of the experience is far superior. It is the easiest clip-in I have ever used, taking hardly any foot pressure. Far easier than the metal SPD. But on the other hand I find them somewhat harder to disengage in a jiffy.

The stiff shoes makes all your efforts go into the drive train. Side to side freedom is adequate with the red cleats. Other colors minimize the sway, and are not recommended for beginners. There seem to more pedaling noise, maybe since the system basically lacks any rubber cushioning. An improvement to off-the-bike activity are little rubber pads that easily slide onto the cleat.

What else? I still use toe-clips a lot, but I don't use my biking shoes. I found the SPD shoes to slide out too easily and the metal cleat, if you leave it on, will grind into the pedal body. With toe-clips in the colder months I can layer up with extra socks in my hiking boots and walk better thru slush.

So I commute with SPD shoes/pedals, go fast and long with LOOK style gear, and use toe-clips when it is cold and wet, or casual rides.

Jan