MHO, you are way over thinking this non problem....

You get used to them fairly easily, and can feel the spd mech, there or not! It's just a matter of repositioning your foot once, to get the right side up, and clip in automatically.

I've been using a set for years, and it really is a non issue.

The main complaint seems to be what side is up, and it's just a non issue, as you can pedal on either side, with any kind of shoe.