I really need clipless for climbing. We usually climb for several miles and then get to ride downhill. No rolling terrain here. Without being clipped in I would never make the steep stuff. I like the connection with the bike, but when things get really dicey and technical downhill I will often unclip one foot just in case. I place my foot so the pedal is just behind the cleat. But I am working more and more on keeping clipped. They are set pretty loose so I can disengage almost without thinking about it.