@Flowrider , what
@JJMarsh says is most correct. Please disregard the "whatever is most comfortable" advice; as we all know everyone's body is anatomically slightly different already or we would, in this case, all be wearing the exact same shoe size.
If you do not use clip-in pedals (giving the most efficient use of muscles) then I would at least recommend using a pedal and/or shoe that reasonably maintains the foot position with the ball of the foot centered over the axle.
I cycled in various aspects (on- and off-road; including mountain climbing) without the use of any specialized or cycling specific equipment (bike, pedals, shoes, etc.) for the first ~10 yrs of my cycling. The next ~10 yrs (primarily road, gravel) were with toe clips. For the past ~35 yrs have been using "clipless" pedals 99% of the time (for all disciplines, competition and leisure). Whether or nor you ride a heavier steel frame of the lightest weight carbon fiber designs, you will get the most advantage and effiency out of using a foot retention design. This would be quite evident when you do try it if you have yet to do so.
Aside from my cycling experience I also have a background in engineering (primarily mechanical and design) and more importantly in healthcare where I worked in physical/occupational therapy; as well as the operating room where I witnessed the most drastic results of the falsehood of doing "that is most comfortable for you". Comfort does not mean proper, and it certainly does not mean efficiency (otherwise you would use a couch on wheels to cycle). Anyone who says so is blind to the facts, and has never witnessed tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue being reconfigured in order to gain a reasonably pain-free use of their body after yesrs of doing something because of comfort (comfort is important, but under the proper sitiuations). Believe me, it is too late once the pain occurring from doing that which is "most comfortable" sets in.
Think about climbing stairs (essentially similar when climbing on a bike). Do you do it flat footed? Or do you do it on the ball of your foot? Do you contact a stair tread with the arch of your foot? Do you climb stairs without lifting your leg to attain the next level, or do drag it behind you hopping up stairs on one leg. Being clipoed in allows the full use of a leg's muscles; otherwise you are in essence climbing hills using one leg (1/2 of the muscles per leg).
You are bringing up a very specific situation which is not suited to general comments.
In another post you talk about climbing more easily (I read as more efficiently). Any side to side l and up and down motion of the body and/or bike results in wasted energy and loss of efficiency regardless of whether you are climbing or not. I won't get into mind control and all that; but you do need to focus on maintaining "form" while performing at a high level until the body functions through muscle memory and you can then concentrate more on navigating a course with your body in "auto-pilot" mode; not thinking about foot position and other distractions. I suggest learning meditation within before using music and other BS to focus the mind. I am not saying you should not use auditory "drugs" as a distraction, but if you have not already trained your mind without external needs then you have skipped an important step. The "music" of nature is all that is required externally.
If you do not ride one meter efficiently with body and mind; then you should not worry about a kilometer until having done so.
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