You don't have to have your feet attached to the pedals in any way at all.

People will tell you you get more power through your stroke because you can actively pull up when attached. Maybe you can... I don't know. It seems to me that a push is more powerful than a pull and one leg is always pushing, while the other is pulling. People will tell you that it works for them, but I don't see it.

I've ridden both ways and done some serious road climbing unclipped, but I generally ride clipped in because I prefer it that way. I don't think about my feet at all and I like the connection to the bike and I like the stiffness of my bike shoes.

Ride what makes YOU happy.

Veronica