About to join the dark side...

@ stir - I guess people just find they work. The trainer ones work fine as well. Ma3K has some Etnies (I think) that he's built clips into the bottom of. They look great and they work.

Vans slip on are the best for getting your feet in and out of clips and straps.

I'm not moving from one to the other, I'm keeping the straps and clips on my twatabout bike and putting clipless on my mileage bike.

I can't agree. I've seen Ma3k unclip using his homemade Van clipless hybrid things. But he's a good rider and can handle it. Vans slip on are not the best thing for getting your feet out of clips and straps. Old style cycling shoes are. For those who are too young to remember, they look like a leather version of modern road shoes, with a horizontal groove scored in the sole, for where your foot hits the pedal groove.

My first pair of "cycling shoes" was a pair of football boots with the studs removed and a home-made groove made with a file.

to answer the question why proper shoes, it's simple innit, they work best. No laces to get caught up, allows you to adjust tightness just right (whilst riding), you can use clipless pedals, and you get a good contact / pedal stroke.

ps. time atacs for me too. I rode SPD's until I joined the forum, and realised what I was missing.