Are weightlifting shoes worth it? Can I squat safely wthout them?

[Mdemarco]

I found some chucks with a strap across the top of mid foot which feels like your locked in pretty well.

[b17vic]

I currently lift in Chuck Taylor's but was thinking about getting the WL shoes because my back tends to round at the bottom of my squat (high-bar) and I know this is dangerous. Should I just begin to stretch my hip flexors more so I can squat ATG better or will it be difficult for me to squat high-bar ATG safely with no heel raise?Thanks.

*IF* I remember correctly Mark Rippetoe said that most peoples lower back will round if they try ATG squats AND squatting ATG means that tension is lost on the Hamstrings, if you want to clarify this ask him in his Q&A dept. Some people prefer the WL shoes others don't, I like the feel of squatting with them.

[Hoppa]

one thing i dont like about them. Its friggin hard to readjust your feet positioning in between reps. Your foot is literally glued to the ground.