User submitted reviews
Review by Senor Cherv
Firstly, prompt delivery and competitive pricing!
Now, I went to greater lengths in figuring out my appropriate shoe size. After contacting Lake and adding another 1/2 size to their measurements (including the initial 1/2 size addition in the original calculation) I ended up with a shoe that fits very well. I am glad I contacted LAKE and went with their recommendation, otherwise their would have been too small. If you are not sure and want to be sure, contact Lakes website for correct calculations and further more contact Lake directly.
Regarding these shoes, I find the leather to be supple, overall comfortable, slightly wider in the regular width, modest arch support which might not fit well for flatter feet, brutal insoles that require replacing and a fantastic Boa system without pressure points. Also, I am quite impressed with the air flow, I had my doubts but these have exceeded my expectations in the ventilation department.
Review by DanielD
I have always worn SIDI�s and have been very happy. However, recently, I bought a pair of SIDIs that were just not comfortable so I started looking around and decided to give these Lake�s a try. WOW! I have been very impressed with the comfort so far. I also like the BOA system better than the SIDI tightening system. So far my only negative is that the Lake�s are made in China where the SIDIs are made in Italy. Overall, I�m very happy with them.
Review by Anonymous
I�ve been struggling for years to find a cycling shoe that truly fits me. I�ve tried many, many shoes over the years and nothing ever fit me just right. Everything was always too narrow, so I would go up a size, but the still never fit right. I just learned to deal with it. I was finally turned on to Lake shoes a few months ago and my feet have never been happier.
I don�t have a particularly wide food - in fact I�d call it average. Lake are really known for helping people with wide feet, but for the person who has average-width feet I can 100% recommend these shoes.
Review by Mithrilbike
I tried the Specialized Ares shoe first and it was nice but too narrow for my feet with a perfect length. The Lake CX238 has a nice stiff and light carbon sole and fits my slightly wider foot (age 61 cyclist) with just enough room for thicker socks if I want to wear them. The two BOA ratcheting knobs on each shoe let you micro-adjust tightness in each direction (tighten or loosen). These shoes are super comfortable for rides up to 6 hours. My only slight complaint is that I do feel a bit of tightness from the uppermost tightening wire on my right foot when I am climbing and pedaling hard out of the saddle. They are still five star shoes to me. I used the Lake shoe sizing guide on their website to choose after measuring my feet on a sheet of paper as they recommend.
Review by RD Cyclist
I�ve been dealing with Morton�s Neuroma in one foot. These shoes have been godsend with their wider toe box. They are very well made, plenty stiff and supportive. Use Lake�s foot measurement system to get the correct size.
Review by Anonymous
The dual adjusts make a truly comfortable "all day" shoe. Sizing can be tricky. Use the Lake foot length measurement process (on Lake's website) to select the right size. The conversion from foot length (as shown on the Lake website) to US sizing is wonky. In the world of shoes I wear a US 9.5 which is consistent with my measured foot length (174mm) except for Lake which converts my foot length to a size US 10.5. I ordered by my foot length measurement (which is a EU 43.5) avoiding the US sizing confusion, and got a perfect fit. If you order by your US shoe size using the chart on the BTD webpage you will likely find the Lake shoe about a full size too small.
Review by Oldkingcoal
These are incredibly comfortable cycling shoes. While I purchased these on sale, they are absolutely worth the full price. I purchased these since I needed to finally replace my Time road pedal system. I had been using Carnac shoes(now extinct). Those were pricey in their time and were made of Kangaroo leather. I never thought I'd find shoes as conforming as those, but these Lake shoes likely surpass them. The leather upper in these shoes is soft and conforming, with a wider toe area than Sidis. The 2 BOA laces give ample adjustablity and fit. I have bunions that are no problem for these shoes. These shoes have a decent arch built in, but I still use my orthotics and have no issues with heel slide. I got the appropriate size by following the instructions on the Lake website. I recommend putting mink oil type leather protector on these to help protect the leather in the event you get caught in any wet weather. I am unsure of the overall durability of the leather, but as long as I get a few years use I'll be grateful. Time will tell.
Review by Anonymous
For the past 14 years I have been using Sidi. My last pair was never comfortable. After much research, I landed on the Lake CX 238. Best decision I have ever made in cycling. I followed the Lake website for sizing, I was right at the end of the 44.5 and decided to order the 45. It turned out to be the correct move. The toe box is wider (but not too wide) and the comfort is noticeable. Also, the BOA system is far more comfortable than the ratchet and velcro of the Sidis, The real leather is like a glove on my feet. These shoes are a cycling treasure for this 63 year old cyclist. You will be happy if you buy these shoes. The BTD staff couldn't have been more helpful answering all my questions and helping with my decision.
Review by BoomerBiker
I bought these to replace a pair of CX 237s which were nice shoes, but had a couple of flaws or limitations. First, the boa closure on the 237 model did not have the micro adjust in the reverse (loosening) direction, the 238 has the micro-adjustable boa closure. The 237 also had a leather liner. Over the time I've had them this liner has cracked and torn from getting wet and then drying out, repeatedly. I never had that issue with other shoes, but it was what caused me to replace them. The 238 fixed this issue by making the liner synthetic. Other improvements are the toe and heal guards to reduce the likelihood of scuffing the leather. The shoe is vey comfortable, particularly if you like a roomy toe box like I do. The sole is a nice, stiff carbon sole.
Overall, Lake took a good shoe with good value for the money and made it quite a bit better! I'm very happy with it and highly recommend it.
Review by BTDARE
This shoe is very comfortable and fits well. I wear a size 47 in Lake and it was true to size as per their size chart (i.e. size 13+shoe in U.S. ). I have put in about 1000 miles or so finding it comfortable with winter socks as well.
This was purchased after finding the newer Specialized shoes too tight around the rear of the foot at the ankle joint area.
Review by Anonymous
Love the comfort of these shoes. The fit is accurate. I have not ventured outside of Shimano until this pair of road shoes being the fifth pair in ten years
Review by Anonymous
Nice to finally get a shoe that fits American feet
Great fit, quality love the shoe
Review by Ashokdad
The leather uppers are soft and compliant and fit like a glove. The double boa set up is a slightly pricey upgrade, but worth wild for the adjustability that it provides.
Review by Anonymous
Wide toe and soft leather uppers. A very comfortable feel. Very pleased with this purchase.
Review by Anonymous
I have a EE foot. The Lakes accommodated width and are easily the most comfortable shoe I've owned
Review by Sblair32000
Very nice pair of shoes that fit real well and feel great, maybe not the trendiest shoes you've ever seen, but do the job nicely!
Review by Anonymous
Best fitting shoe for wider feet. Love the power trnasfer from the carbon sole.
Review by Anonymous
I really find these shoes comfortable on long rides. The boa works great. They also look good
Review by Chris
Boy oh boy, I didn't know what I was missing. Coming from entry level giro cadets which were absolutely fine. These actually make me want to cinch down on the boas because they just feel better when they are snug.