Look, Shimano, or Speedplay?

[colby]

Nobody should try to walk in Speedplays without wearing cleat covers. I thought they came with the cleats, but apparently my DH "knew" to buy them when I got mine, several years ago. Without them, you really run the risk of getting even a teeny bit of dirt in the cleats and then the easy in and out of the cleats is totally gone. I also lube them with a very small amount of White Lightning every week. Sometimes my left cleat is a little finicky, as that's the one I always unclip from. But usually, when that happens, it's time to lube. I'm kind of hard on my cleats, too, for some reason.
I got these cool looking foldable slip ons to wear during a lunch stop or when touring, if I want to really walk around. They are made for camping and cycling, and easily fit into DH's Carradice bag. We used them when we went to Spain. But, on a regular ride, where I am just stopping for lunch or coffee, I don't have any problem walking in my Speedplays, as long as the covers are on. Sure, it's awkward, but it won't kill you. I have campus pedals on my hybrid and my knees hurt every time I use the spds, although I started with them on my first road bike. I am thinking of getting Frogs, since I never ride on the flat pedal side of the campus pedals.

I have heard this (about the lubricating and the getting stuff in them) but have yet to have this problem with mine - and I've ran through some pretty nasty stuff in them racing triathlons (grass, dirt, sand, mud). I think they are due for a pretty hefty cleaning, though, and if I did plan on walking in them in normal circumstances I think I'd get the covers anyway (I think that'd be true of most pedals, honestly). It might just be that I'm heavy enough to engage the cleat with more force so even though my pedals are dirty I'm able to jam them in there.

[Catrin]

I love my SPD pedals and mtn bike shoes on my LHT. The tension has been adjusted so that it is extremely easy to clip in/out, I don't even really notice my foot moving much for either. I was a little concerned at first that perhaps it was adjust too lightly and that I would unclip while hill climbing but that has not been a problem.

Have you had someone look at your cleat position and tension?

[eofelis]

I love my SPD pedals and mtn bike shoes on my LHT. The tension has been adjusted so that it is extremely easy to clip in/out, I don't even really notice my foot moving much for either. I was a little concerned at first that perhaps it was adjust too lightly and that I would unclip while hill climbing but that has not been a problem.

Have you had someone look at your cleat position and tension?

I have SPDs on all of my bikes and I keep the tension cranked way out. I use mtn bike shoes, I have 4 different pairs for all uses in all seasons. They have plenty of float for me.
My SO uses Speedplays on his road bikes and has Frogs on another bike or two. He has knee issues.