Lake shoes have been the go-to product for many South Africans – and cyclists around the world – when the realisation hits that their feet aren’t dead-average. Painful feet from trying to squeeze into narrow Italian lasts sees them looking for something that will keep their feet happy on the bike, no matter the conditions.

The range from the Dutch-based company is, um, broad… not just in a wide variety of models across road, mountain bike, CX and triathlon, but also in the understanding that all feet are not made the same. Few shoe manufacturers offer five options in width, volume and arch height like Lake does, all the more critical in an arena where your feet are so instrumental to every aspect of your sport. A poor-fitting shoe is not just uncomfortable, it robs you of power and strength. Lake gets that, and has had four decades to find perfection.

Born in Evanston Illinois in 1982, Lake quickly became a household name for cycling shoes. As the sport grew in North America, so did the versatility and demand for more styles. The MXZ303 (winter boot) was created because of a very cold climate that hit Lake’s headquarters every year, the shores of Lake Michigan, where temperatures are quite possibly the coldest in North America. Many other innovative designs have come from Lake’s shoe collections over the years. More recently Lake was the first to design and produce the MX 331 Cyclocross specific model and today it remains the holy grail of cyclocross shoes.

Lake’s pride has grown out of a simple fact, that they are first to market with many, if not most, new developments in cycling shoes. Unlike many companies in the marketplace, they haven’t been distracted by entering into different cycling product categories; they have remained true to their core value and that is to produce the best fitting, highest quality cycling shoe on the market.

FEATURED LAKE MODELS

MX 219

The MX 219 uses Lake’s MX Competition Last, featuring a larger toe box and tighter heel than the Comfort last and with slightly more overall volume than the Sport last. It is exceptionally secure for hard riding and racing with enough room in the toe box to prevent binding when running up inclines or negotiating a hike-a-bike section.

Designed for performance riding and racing, the MX 219 is perfect for XCO racers and gravel gurus who are looking for extra comfort on and off the bike, when the odd scramble is part of the performance criteria. But it’s more than just a race-ready shoe – as with all Lake shoes, it offers all-day comfort that will make it an ideal choice for epic  rides and Epic races, especially in the heat of the African summer, in two widths and sizes up to 50, perfect for big, strong feet.

CX 238

Evolving from the CX237, Lake has improved upon performance and durability, with its high-cadence riding favourite, the Lake CX238 Road Shoe. Shaped for a better, more comfortable fit, the Competition last increases toe pitch and heel lift, allowing the foot to expand under high pedalling pressure. Supporting the shoe is Lake’s Race carbon fibre sole, offering impressive stiffness and power transfer while remaining low in weight. To protect the shoe from premature wear, the full-grain leather upper boasts a panel at the heel and a rubber bumper at the toe, plus mesh panels for proper ventilation.

Designed for high-pressure riding, the Lake CX238’s wider forefoot provides the relief you need to focus on the road ahead, and is available from size 36 to size 50 in two widths and in nine colour options.

Visit lakecyclingsa.com for the full range of Lake shoes and expert advice on shoe comfort.

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