 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I used to ride/race mainly XC and as a result I currently use a pair of Crank Brothers candy pedals (don't judge, I like the float) and wear a pair of older Sidi Dragon disco slippers when out riding. Which is great for pedalling efficiency but there's a very small contact patch between the pedal and shoe. My riding now is best described as trail, less about hammering climbs and more about technical riding and off-piste sections. The Sidi's are great for riding fast but they're stiff as hell and I'm not sure they're all that great for the type of riding I do now. Plus walking any distance in them isn't great. I've been riding clipless since, er, 1997 I think, so I'm not looking to go to flats - but would I benefit from a larger platform pedal and less race orientated shoe? Or should I really give flats a go?
I'm a flat convert, having ridden clipless for 2 decades. I actually have CB Candy on my CX.
I have a pair of Shimano GR9 for flat and the clipless version for when I'm using cleats.
It did take a while to get used to flats but now I prefer them on my FS. I don't think you need cleats on a FS but I prefer then on HT or CX because you get bounced around more. When we started riding we didn't have grippy shoes or pedals but with modern sticky shoes and spikey pedals, I don't think we need to be clipped in any more.
I would say give flats a go but invest in decent shoe and pedals.
My thread might be of interest
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/enduro-clipless-pedals-shoes-coming-back-to-the-dark-side/
On the back of this I'm keeping my eye out for a cheap set of mallet DH pedals, and will probably get a pair of MT500 Burner shoes to go with them.
If you're happy with clips then I would stick with them, Mallet E's have a bit more of a platform and some more trail style shoes will flex and make use of the platform as well as being more comfortable to walk in.
If you're content with the float on crank Bros, then why not give the Mallet or Mallet E a go? For shoes try the Spesh Recon, the Giro range has some decent "Trail-y" shoes in it; the Rumble or the Chamber, or Shimano's ME7?