Criss-Cross - if you look at the Hobie catelogue, the bungie holding the front port-side trap wire travels under the tramp to the other side, arond a pulley, back to the port side, arond another pulley and then to the starboard side to attach to the aft trap wire. And visa versa for the other two. This long pullied bungie allows for more movement and less wear. For exmaple, if you have it simply attached to the midline of the H16, your trap bungie would be 4 or 5 feet long. With the criss-cross, the bungie is probably 20 feet long!!! The most noticable advantage of this method is the near complete absence of bungie-pull when moving fore or aft when trapped out.
Foot straps - I've never had a problem but your point is well taken. The straps are NOT made tight and I've never had any instance of being unable to release my feet.
Cheers

Ron