I have a real problem with the depth and shape of the cleat pocket. I am using Shimano PD-M540 pedals and Shimano cleats. I have had no problem with my other Keen cycling shoes (they have three Velcro straps) that I have been using for a few years. I thought I would like to try the sandals because my feet get hot. FWIW, my closet is full of Keens and has been since they first came out. I even have a "stock" of 6-7 unworn Newports bought out of season that will likely last me the rest of my life. I'm 67. I'm a Keen bigot! Now, the problem.

It is extremely difficult to get the cleat to clip in because the sides of the pedal hit the sole of the shoe well before the cleat is deep enough to lock in. Pushing very hard will work, but this is not right. I saw some comments about pedals having to be perfectly centered. Well, no thank you - that is why SPD pedals are adjustable fore and aft and side to side. The cleat pocket must allow for this kind of adjustment. Also, when clipped in, there is barely enough room for the pedal body in the pocket making it difficult to unclip because there is no room to twist the pedal. I MUST ride with the pedal to towards the heel and that is normal for all recumbent and trike riders. I tried the cleats more forward just to see if this rearward position was the only cause of the problem. It's not. Clipping in is too difficult in all positions. I suppose Keen was trying to make a shoe where one can walk around on wood floors, etc. without the cleat touching, but I don't see the big advantage. I put them on before a ride and take them off after. They are cycling shoes, not walking around shoes. The sole is too stiff for that anyway. I thought about shims to move the cleat out, but that would allow the cleat to slip when unclipping. Won't work. If you read some other reviews you will see where some owners have ground down the sole and area around the cleat. Duh!!

I will be sending them back to amazon, very disappointed because they are otherwise very cool (my feet get hot) and comfortable. I wear Keen Newports even in the winter. Only thing on my feet, really. Very disappointed in the design of this "cycling" shoe. The sole on the other ones I have (the ones with three Velcro straps) is perfect as far as I'm concerned. Solid and a cleat pocket that is perfectly shaped. This one is soft and just messed up.

I have photos to show how jammed the pedals are into the Arroyo cleat pockets and how the edge of the pedal prevents the pedal from going deep enough into the pocket to lock it without great force. On the older Keens, you can see there is no such cramped quarters for the pedal and the depth of the cleat pocket is shallow enough to allow easy clipping in. If you want to see them, I'm not sure how to make them available. Facebook? Make a suggestion.

It should also be noted that pedal clips have some play. This is necessary to allow the foot to minimally adjust by rotating the heel slightly right and left. It is a rare rider than can position a cleat perfectly for themselves. If you check out Look cleats and pedal, you will see there are cleats that have minimal play (black) and cleats that have more play (red). The ones with more play are generally worn by more experienced riders because this play is a good thing. Less experienced rider should ride with the cleats having less play only because it requires less toe-in (foot rotation) to unclip.  It is MANDATORY that this play exist or the rider can suffer knee pain and knee damage over many rides when the foot is not allowed to relax into a natural position. It is also needed to shift the foot slightly to move the pressure around over a long ride. With the Arroyos, the Shimano pedal CANNOT MOVE. As a serious rider since the 1960s, I can assure you, these shoes, with the ubiquitous Shimano pedal shape, are not in the rider's best interest regardless of how much they like Keens (me), want a sandal for summer or think that just because they can somehow make the pedal lock in by grinding, carving or placing the pedal somewhere other than where they want it, they have done something right.

I caved! After looking at other sandals and not finding anything I liked, I saw that these were available for $75 by a Marketplace vendor and because the shoe was so otherwise comfortable, I decided to get them (I had returned the other pair) and modify the cleat pocket by carving it out with a razor knife. I was able to remove a U-shaped piece of the sole about 5/16 inch wide (away from the edge of the pocket) and at at a 45-degree angle down to the bottom of the edge of the cleat pocket. I started the cut where the top hole of the cleat plate is positioned when slid all the way up. This made the pocket about 5/8 inch wider at the top, slanting down to the existing width at the bottom. The Shimano pedal clips easily into this space, has play and can easily unclip. I also had to remove one of the small "lugs" from the sole where the axle from the pedal had inadequate clearance. They are about 1/16 inch thick.

When riding a trike, it is better to position the pedal further back on the shoe than you would for an upright bike. I was able to position the cleat all the way back and slide it as far as it would go towards the center of the sole (moving the shoe closer to the crank arm - about an inch away). I would prefer it a little closer. The shoe works very well with this modification and is comfortable. I still can't imagine why Keen did not thoroughly test this shoe with one of, if not the, most common pedal in the world. If the shoe came they way I modified it, I would give 5 stars. Carving with a razor knife is not something one should have to do, so I will raise my 1-star rating to 3.