Even though the cleat is "recessed", I still notice the cleat crunching the ground as I walk
yea thats how it is .. recess the cleat more and it would not engage in the pedal ,
unless Shimano goes back and redseigns its pedals and all other ones by other companies
taking their compatibility standards from Shimano does the same , world wide ..
You can hold your breath, waiting for that to happen, if you wish