I have the lower end of the new SPD-SL pedals and shimano shoes. Nice combo but I prefered my older SPD pedals and mountain shoes.

Much easier to walk around in and you didn't look like a spaceman walking around with your toes pointing up. Also much easier to clip in and out of in case of the need to rapidly unclip. I probably had teh exact same SPD pedals you did - pedal on one side, clip on the other. The cleat was multidirectional so you could unclip in a multitude of directions - not just by twisting your heel out.

Unfortunately I was dumb and got SPD-SL specific shimano shoes instead of ones that have multiple mounting options for different style cleats or else I'd try other types