Thanks for the review! I have been looking at these shoes based on other reviews (wider foot, high arch) and your detailed review helped me decide that these are probably a good choice for me. I appreciate your attention to detail in the review...even the small things are important! I found your site via a search for the product and am now a subscriber!

Just got the MX238. Agree completely, though the gravel version (suede) has a different better tongue. Until they adapt the lasts, we wide footed folks will have to put up with the loose heel in walking. But…there is literally no alternative. Fortunately, the carbon fiber footbed is ridiculously stiff. And there is so much volume in the shoe I can slip in a lift to palate my leg length discrepancy. I agree with the Shimanos, I wore some for years. But the Lake shoes are game changing. Improved power transfer, better comfort and fitment. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (Ps, their website is very helpful and will lay out in a matrix all the shoes, all the widths and lasts, and CRITICALLY, the widths in mm per size. The MX238 looks to me to be their widest last in the wide size.

Good review, I am a long time Lake shoe user. I too have a wide foot and they fit me better than any of the other "wide" cycling shoes (Shimano, Sidi, etc). I used the CX-217 for years and switched to the 218 when those wore out and they have the 238 on sale now and will be buying those.

Great review - I've had my 238's for 2 years and I agree with everything - especially the weird wide heel - am now looking at switching to 332 or 333 for something a bit tighter

Your review really helps me

Tks. Helpful info.

Awesome video!

I have paddles rather than feet and I looked for ages for a suitable fit. Always bought one size up and then struggled with cleat position fore and aft. These solved both issues. They size a bit small so think about half a size bigger than usual. I've worn Shimano S works for over 10 years. Unreal fit and I added G8 innersoles to compensate for supernation. Fit like a glove. Beautiful craftsmanship. They are heavier however I don't notice that when riding. I use Speedplays and they are a quick bolt on and with the newer cleats the walking angle is great no covers necessary at the cafe like he older cleats. Boa's are same direction both sides and micro adjustable so you can losen and tighten one or 2 clicks at a time. Highly recommended.

Great Info. Pros and Cons. T hanks.

I agree with you about the fore aft size of the shoe. I also have wide up front, narrow in the rear. I love the width and they feel better in that regard but I also wish the tongue Boa lace was a bit further back which would lock in the heel better. Great video overall.

I have a pair of xc902 wide coming to try, but I’m considering the 332’s. My foot isn’t super wide but I do have metatarsal issues. I’m coming off of custom D2’s so I’m a bit spoiled, but they’re $1600 now.

Every single observation is spot on. I’ve used these in Lake’s road an off road, and cyclo cross versions. The comfort of the leather is indeed their downside in that it’s a bit too stretchy for a performance shoe. Not quite stiff enough in the sole either. Also, Lake’s heel cup design is rubbish compared to most of the other players. Fizik, Giro, Sidi, Spec, Bont etc. Lake rely on their cats tongue Velcro liner, instead of the other makes mentioned that design the heel cup to that it retains the heel when cycling by its internal shape. I want the more performance version of this shoe, which would be the 332. Only they jump straight from a 48 to a 50😐 If you are a fairly casual cyclist rather than a racer, these are super duper comfortable and forgiving of foot lumps and bumps, bunions etc. probably your best choice. Great review!

Good stuff. I already own older lakes and was on the fence, but will stick with the brand!

well done.

Really helpful review for us wide feet guys. I'm trying to decide between these and the MX/gravel version. I've only ever used the SPD mtb style shoes and pedals on a hybrid but will be getting my first road bike soon. Can you feel any differences in the feel/stability/ comfort between them?

I bought CX238s for the same reasons. 4000 miles later, these are the first set of shoes I love to bicycle in. I agree with all four reasons why you love these shoes. In fact, I am about to order MX238s for my gravel bicycling. I don't have a problem with the hind grip of the shoes. I am comfortable all around. Sorry that your feet are wide only in the front. However, I have one very minor gripe with these shoes, similar to your comments about the lip. When I am in a rush and want to tighten the Boa links, more frequently than not, the lip stays on top of the shoe's opening, and I end up releasing the ties and placing the lip underneath where it belongs before I huff&puff and tighten the shoes again. As these shoes are the best ever for me, I will not even rank my only complaint in the top 10 reasons for my buying decision. There are 5+ stars from my point of view. I like your objective review.

Thank you for this review! What is your opinion on the reinforced toe box? I have wide feet, but in addition they tend to swell a lot during hot weather. I live in Belgium, so a lot of differing weather conditions here.

Thank You! Great review! 🙂👍 I just ordered my first Lake shoes (CX238 wide). The reason I chose Lake is that they have real wide last. Shimano and most of the competitors only have more fabric around their regular last on their wide shoes. My Shimano MTB shoes (regular last) and my Five Ten flat shoes feel little bit too narrow and my Northwave road shoes way too narrow to my feet. I really hope Lake would be worth money. CX219 would have been about 60 euros/dollars cheaper. Hopefully I made the right choice.

Sounds like we have similar shaped feet... narrow at the heal and very wide at the toes. I've been riding the MX237 for years and recently purchased Lake's new CX201 and MX242 shoes. The CX201s are dreamy in the toe area due to the new Comfort last, but as your video states, very wide in the heal as well which isn't ideal. They're super ventilated up front so I use them as my indoor riding shoes. The new CX/MX242s might be your perfect shoe... carbon, heat moldable heal cup and slightly rounder toe area than the CX/MX241s. They aren't cheap, but they're getting closer to my "perfect shoe" (The toe area is still a bit too pointy for my feet, but everything else is a win.)

Thanks for the review, what's the size of your lake cx239 and the size of the specialized insoles?

I've had both Shimano (like the ones you've shown) and the Lake 219s which are similar. Regarding the fit, if you feel that there are certain areas that are too loose, take some handlebar tape (with flared edges) and use this to glue inside of the shoe, just below your ankle joint, in your case, to fill up the space. I added some under the tongue, because I too, had too much space, and on the medial side of the foot, facing the inside of the foot, because one foot is smaller than the other. You can also add a thin piece of cardboard under the supplied insole or get a thicker insole. The stock Lake insoles are pretty poor in any case.

I have the 238 as well and love the feel of them coming from year of Fizik shoes. What would be a model you like from Lake that solves the heal issue that you spoke about? I feel that I have to torque the boa down more than I like to compensate for the loose heal. Thanks for the review and I agree the most comfortable shoe I have ever worn.

My story with Lakes is this; i bought a pair of 332 in extra wide and they're nearly as wide as the 238w but narrower in the heel + you can heat adjust them. The 332's are 42 i tried 238's in 42, 41.5 and 41 - the latter are listed as an 8 the 41.5 as 9's..work that out lol. I use the 238’s mainly and the 332’s are slightly lighter and more form fitting with width, that's the best way i can describe 'em..just to mention IF you do heat-mold them watch the toe box as THAT is carbon too and can fold down towards your toes, so be very wary of that!

I just discovered Lake shoes, and have their MX219. The wide heel box is a godsend, this is really the only available biking shoe in widths. Really, the industry is letting Isu’s down. Perhaps partially explained the there is a certain size and physique for a road racer. But actually, that is the myth. At the typical price of these suckers, you would think they would make them in widths. And the BOA cinch mechanism! With the rubber edges I can actually tighten them! Shimano, what’s up with a knurled device that shreds my fingers! But what confuses me in your review is why you didn’t get the thermal activated moldable shoe? I was reading on them and they are designed exactly your fit/use case. If I were riding competitively that is exactly what I would get. No foot pain! Yay! And now with my SQLabs Active saddle no butt pain either! Here is a tip, get SQLab long shank pedals. According to them, people rocking size 47 and above should be riding them. I realized that my size 14 shoes were rubbing off the finish on the cranks. That must be worth a few watts! But aside from that my knee pain is gone! It seems Lake and SQLab are the only vendors that care at all how our bodies *actually* work! Just did a modest ride, new pedals, new shoes, new saddle. I found my cadence is suddenly so much smoother. Oh, and I waxed my chain. Heaven! Good review!

Hello, you know you can put then in the oven for 5min on very low temp (60-70deg), take them out, put them on and squeeze the heel inwards for good grip?

I think the Lake CX201 would be a good fit for the Ronald McDonald feet :) A question though, I notice you have some cleat accessory there to put the cleats further back. I also tried those from a German brand. Could you share more about those? brand, and why you use them? I get numb feet and have a Morton's neuroma, and having the cleats further back helps a bit but screws my seat height

You should try the Lake CX332 as you can heat mould the heel.

I have wide feet and these exact shoes, they are perfect me and would never consider another brand of shoe now.

Just get this pair of shoes. hope it get away my numb feet. Had shimano rc702e for few year but feet tingling every ride.

Thanks for that review. I have the same feet, cyclo-crosser using MX218 Wide, very happy with the mid/front width (1/2 size up would be better, I have to ride without the insole to be OK), but the heel slip is hudge! I'm thinking of sewing an additional fabric (foam) around the "rim" (your tightening fix didn't work for me). Anyways I think I'm gonna buy 238X for the road soon, but the 241 look even more accomodating. Cheers

I have the exact same problem with the MTB Version MX238. But there the slipping heel when walking was a deal breaker for me. I sent them back... still havn't found the perfect shoe. Probably doesn't exists for my feet.

I was about going to buy these shoes but thanks to your review, the tongue is really a problem for me

Xc skiing is now finish here so my poor 2nd little toe is now swelling like at the end of every ski season . Now I'm tired of returning many model like the mx177 ''wide'' and I wonder if the mx242 ''wide'' got a enough wide toe box ????

Nice video. They do make a synthetic model of this shoe now. Your cleat looks mid-foot , if so did you have them re-drilled ?

My fizik terra x5 shoes have a similar tounge and it irritates my foot where it sits. Specialized recon shoes are so much better for my feet.

I read that the mx238 xc's have a tighter heel. I just ordered a pair. We shall see.

Just curious, what ended up being your "go-to" shoes? Still using the Lakes?

Crazy cleat position !!

I have been wearing a pair of Shimano wide size 44(they look similar to yours) for 8 yrs now and lately my right foot has been hurting while riding because I think these shoes are not wide enough.I can see my toes trying to expand outward.I thought about switching to LAKE CX238 shoes because they are truly wider .In a perfect world I would go to a store and try a pair on,but in my world there are no stores within a 100 miles or so from me north of Milwaukee Wi.The LAKE sizing chart is somewhat confusing and trying to measure my foot I get different numbers.I have wide up front but not really narrow in the back. I also wear wide ASICS size 9.5 running shoes.Could you or anyone please give me a size suggestion based on my Shimano size 44 wide ???

Dubbin will waterproof/protect leather and make it more supple Check out.. i think its Sidi SP mega shoe. Its supposed to be 2e/3e wide. Mid range price. I d9nt k ow if Sid8 do more megas? Its road or mtb they do for SP shoe

Hi, do you have any recommendations for a female with wide feet? I am looking for shoes to do indoor cycling. Thank you.

Your feet are way more normal than you think. I worked in the shoe industry and we’ve looked at anthropological data on shapes of people’s feet. The vast majority of people actually have their toes as the widest part of their foot. This fits with some newer running shoe companies philosophy of redesigning shoe lasts to accommodate the norm not the established shoe last norm.

You forgot to mention that they are not the most attractive shoes, especially at this price point. Specialized Torch 3.0 look way nicer and are way cheaper. This could be vastly improved by removing the rubber toe bumper which I feel is pointless for road biking.

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