i've been riding flats ever since i started mtbing. And yes i can do a bunny hop without cleats, i can ride ok on flats but i always felt so loose on the pedals, not meaning side to side grip but it felt like my feet could just separate up from the pedals, idk maybe i'm a bad rider lol but i love my cleats haha
Drop your heals, with good shoes you should feel more planted while on flats.
Nope, clips all the way, unless it's steep and very muddy. What I'm saying is that in the winter in Wales I ride flats