I'm always clipped. Don't you?
I find the bike too loose, if I'm not attached to it.
The pedals are the EggBeater from Crankbrothers.
Except on a flat, or easy road. You can't really pedal on them unclipped.
I find them easier to engage, and unclip than my previous Shimano XT(impossible to ride unclipped either).
The release is not strength based.
Instead you choose between a 15 or 20 degrees release angle.
Depending if you put the dotted cleat under your right or left shoe.