Well... I would never use anything else but clip-in pedals now (I refuse to call them clipless )...

But I did begin with cages - but the straps freaked me out. I felt trapped.
So we took the straps off. I had only the plastic cage on the pedals that I could slip into from behind or the side and no straps or ties to "fix" me to the bike.

This was a good stepping stone for me to using the clipin pedals/cleats on my shoes...

Just my experience...