MTB shoes

Flat / platform style pedals are what you are referring to. There are different types, becoming more aggressive in their design as they approach the DH/Freeride style of use. If you are doing basic XC riding, you probably may not need to bother about those. These DH pedals are larger, more expensive, and will take big gashes out of your shins if they slap against you! However the screw in pins on the pedals are great for gripping your feet. Try some platform pedals from Shimano, Crank Bros or similar. They should work well for you and be fairly cheap (under $60). Make sure you buy sealed bearing pedals otherwise they will wear down inside of a year. More expensive sealed bearing pedals go for about $100 or so.

Shoes are similar to basketball shoes, or running shoes, or walking shoes. It is the sole shape, pattern, design, and materials that determines how grippy your feet will be on the pedals. You would be really surprised to know how much of a difference the correct footwear makes on a flat pedal. My preference for shoes are the 5-10 brand used by Hill and Rennie. They come in low, mid or high cut. But there are plenty of good shoe designs out there. Do some research about shoes at Chain Reaction Cycles. They have heaps.

It's not the pedals, mate. It's the trees jumping out in front of you. Liam also has this problem.
Stick with it, clipped in is best. Practice. Lots.

I'm with delicious - clipped in is the way to go.

It can be a bit disconcerting at first especially if, like me, you're a gumby. You'll have a couple of the overbalancing-at-slow-speed type tumbles - everybody does. It's just practice until the usage becomes automated. So long as you remember to take the fall as a roll and don't just stick your hand straight out you'll be fine.

It's mainly for confidence I suppose, but I have forearm/elbow and knee pads that I use when I'm riding a new technical trail for the first time, for just in case. My son has commented that since getting them I haven't tipped over, so maybe it's mental as much as skills.

The thing I like best is not being at such arisk of having my chunks chewed out of my shin or calf by the pedal, and not having to worry about my feet rattling off. ANd it focusses the mind wonderfully on picking the correct line.

The DH flat pedals I started out on ripped my shoes to bits within a few months

After 6 months I eventually changed to cleats and Crank Bros Eggbeater pedals. I haven't looked back since (To be honest the thought of riding on flats scares me to death now). I wear the Shimano M122 shoe, I found them the most comforatable and stable of the shoes I tried on in Bike Addiction. Definitely reccomend them.

Phil

Remember folks that no matter which riding type or style, clipped in causes the rider to be in the optimum position, every time, to get proper drive out of their legs and also to be comfy on the bike. When going down this path, also address saddle position and bar position, and become one with your bike/s.
I do realise this sounds all philosophical and zen yet it really does matter. Truly.

Try some Crank bros eggbeaters, very fast to get in/out of; you can even get them with platforms if you haven't ridden with cleats much.

Not wanting to get into a Eggbeater v's SPD argument, but just wanted to offer my thoughts as someone who has made the switch from flats to cleats in the last 12mths

Personally I think Crank Bros Eggbeaters are the bomb! 4 sides to clip in (SPD's only 2) and so easy to get out of. With SPD's I hear time and time again about riders needing to adjust the pedal, complaining that they are either too tight or too loose. The Eggbeaters don't need adjusting, they just work, simple. Crank Bros designed them so well that they are pretty faultless. They're great in all weather conditions, even the foulest of mud can't keep the pedal from functioning. I was drawn straight to them as a cleat noob. Sure I've had a few slow speed spills, but then haven't we all?

BTW Crank Bros do offer the Eggbeater mechanism in a variety of pedals. Me, I just love the plain old vanilla Eggbeater, but as mentioned in previous post you can get them with platforms, they're called 'Candy'.

Finally, it's worth mentioning. Since moving to Crank Bros, my other MTB mates loved them so much that they too switched from SPDs. Now we get to play on each others bikes, and can swap bikes mid-race if any one of us has a mechanical problem