I am using Shimano M-324 pedals for decades, always with walkable SPD shoes. I started with Shimano shoes (M38?), then Specialized and now a pair of Keen shoes (out of production, I think). They all look reasonable similar to sneakers. (The Keen shoes look IMHO even outright cool.)

All shoes have recessed cleats and I use them for walking to and through shops, occasionally even the whole day at work.

Walking on clean concrete or shop vinyl works well, soiled paths or carpet (office!) even better. Gravel dirt on concrete is a bit of a annoyance, because the gravel stones can touch the cleats which can make pretty terrible squeaking sounds.

Cycling with this shoe/pedal combo works very well: Easy to get in on the right side (sometimes after a second pedal turn), and getting out is never a problem when you are used to SPDs. Using normal shoes might need two pedal turns to find the right (other) side of the pedal.

My two cents worth...

I am using Shimano M-324 pedals for decades, always with walkable SPD shoes. I started with Shimano shoes (M38?), then Specialized and now a pair of Keen shoes (out of production, I think). They all look reasonable similar to sneakers. (The Keen shoes look IMHO even outright cool.)

All shoes have recessed cleats and I use them for walking to and through shops, occasionally even the whole day at work.

Walking on clean concrete or shop vinyl works well, soiled paths or carpet (office!) even better. Gravel dirt on concrete is a bit of an annoyance, because the gravel stones can touch the cleats which can make pretty terrible squeaking sounds.

Cycling with this shoe/pedal combo works very well: Easy to get in on the right side (sometimes after a second pedal turn), and getting out is never a problem when you are used to SPDs. Using normal shoes might need two pedal turns to find the right (other) side of the pedal.

My two cents worth...