I run LOOK Keo's on my road bike and love the very secure and locked in feel of the road SPD systems
On all my mountain bikes I use normal MTB shimano SPDs
Last winter on my Pompino I use the shimano MTB spd system so I could wear my shimano winter boots through the coldest wettest weather. However on the road and pompino I hate the rattly loose feeling you get with shimano MTB spds.
Are there any MTB systems that use the recessed Cleat (so I can walk normally) but feel nice and tight like My LOOK's for this winter?
Have you tried increasing the spring tension on the pedals?
It's as much to do with the shoe/soles.
I bought a pair of MW80 boots recently and I've found that they barely clip into my Candy pedals as the cleat is recessed so much into the sole (i.e. the tread is quite deep). They need a good firm push to get them engaged. Once in, they feel quite solid compared to my other shoes.
Mind you, I'd say that Candys normally feel to have a bit more play than a Shimano SPD.
Its not to do with the tension. All that does is incread the force required to open the spring. It doesn't affect the size of the area the cleat clips into.
I suspect its just the nature of all MTB spds but was just checking in case the speedplay ones or something were nice and tight