Has anyone gone from spd-sl > spd?

Had my spd-sl's for a week now, first clipless shoes/pedals. Pretty happy with the power transfer, efficiency etc but walking in them is more of a problem than I thought it would be. Using my bike for food shops etc is a pain now, because I have to take a spare set of shoes everywhere.

Also clipping can be a nightmare on hills, but I know I will get used to it eventually.

Starting to think I should sell and go for spds but the shoes I have (sidi genius 5) are carbon sole and pretty stiff, where as the mtb shoes im looking at (sidi dominators) arent carbon sole.

Is there a huge difference between the two soles, will I notice a huge difference between the two systems?

Cheers.

Fixed on the streets for anything other than doing a proper ride with spd-sl is crazy for the reasons that you've learned the hard way.

There are very stiff shoes available for SPD, I wouldn't bother too much about carbon insole for general riding.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-spd-sl-pedal-cleat-cover/

SPD shoes and pedals ok for any type of riding plenty of people race on them,also much easier to walk in

I use spd rather than spd-sl for all the reasons you mention. When (micro)touring or just on a daytrip it is so nice to be able to walk around a little bit. Not to mention being able to confidently bring my bike up the stairs to my house without breaking all my bones.

Having said that, I don't suffer from the dreaded hot zones even after 4 hours or more. Some people don't like spd because you don't get much of a contact surface which can cause you to feel the spot where your foot soles are over the cleats.. Ymmv.

on the topic of having to take two pairs of shoes with you, try looking at DZR shoes, i went SPD specifically so i could have some "normal shoes". They are just about smart enough for me to wear at my office which is handy.

Buy a new bike with flat pedals for shopping.

That's the real answer this thread deserves.