I have bad knees from a motorcycle accident in 2016 and have had two surgeries. I can hike 15 miles but can not trail so turned to biking in xmas 2019.

I noticed my knees hurt a lot more when I am locked in ( using clip less shoes ). While my cadence is up and I am little faster I think over time the repetitive motion of being locked in might do more harm than good.

I prefer to ride with my salomon speedcross 4 shoes. I like them because they have no shoe laces but I notice they are 180 different from my cycling shoe. The cycling shoe bottom is really stiff while my trail running shoe bottom
is very soft.

Do I want a stiff bottom shoe? If so looking for recommendations.

I ride for fitness if that makes a difference. I don't need the shoes to walk around in after I get off the bike etc..