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SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

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SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

Founded in Evanston Illinois in 1982, Lake is a brand with quite a bit of history. Having created the industry’s first foam insole, first wicking liner, first mountain bike specific shoe, first winter cycling boot, and the first custom moldable carbon sole, Lake has some serious pedigree. Hoping to reclaim their portion of the US market, Lake was purchased from Veltech and is undergoing a relaunch of the storied brand with 45 distributors currently around the world. In the US, Lake shoes are now being distributed by Stage Race Distribution with warehouses in California and New York.

Continuing to push the envelope, Lake’s newest shoes continue their partnership with Boa to offer some very interesting shoes with killer features. If you haven’t checked out Lake before, you owe it to yourself to see what’s new for the coming year.

SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, More SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, More

One of the more interesting shoes Lake had on display was the prototype MX331 cyclocross specific model. Honestly the naming structure is a bit confusing, as Lake calls their road shoes the CX line, and their mountain shoes the MX line. So in the case of this cyclocross specific shoe, it is the MX331 Cyclocross, not the CX331 which is the road shoe but would make more sense given that CX is short for Cyclocross. Get it? Naming aside, the MX331 Cyclocross is a very interesting shoe specifically designed for the rigors of cross.

SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

Built with a 331 upper, the MX331 Cross features a moldable carbon sole and heel cup with a variety of replaceable/removable lugs that can be customized depending on the terrain. The current spikes on the front of this display model look like they would be awesome for clawing your way through sand traps or thick mud. Lake mentioned that there would be quite a few different options for customization including the ability to possibly run some golf spikes which some cross racers are already doing. The MX331 Cross is an industry first that was started in a collaboration with Jpow, and will end up as a lighter shoe than the MX331 MT.

SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

It may be possible that more people in the US know Lake shoes for their 303 winter boot, and with good reason – it was the first, and one of the best. In order to offer something to those who wanted a little less winter protection and also wanted a road specific sole,  Lake is introducing the CX and MX 145. Designed for warmer climates than the 303, the 145s feature a waxed canvas outer with a full waterproof, breathable membrane to keep your feet warm and dry. Both 145 options will include reflective accents to keep you safe in the darker Winter months and will be offered in men’s and women’s sizing. Expect availability around August.

SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

Slotting in above the 401 is the new CX402 road shoe with a completely heat modable shell and insole. The new-for-2014 insole (pictured below) is included with the 402/401 or available aftermarket to upgrade other shoes. Like most of Lake’s high end shoes, the 402 is constructed from Kangaroo K-Lite leather which is the most durable leather there is. Built with plenty of perforation and mesh in the tongue, the 402 offers next level breathability, fit and function. It also features the next generation of Boa closure with an additional boa replacing the velcro strap on the 401. The new Boa reduces height and diameter of the click wheels by 3mm and helps to further reduce weight. Like all Boa closures, they carry the “Dialed For Life” guarantee with free parts and free shipping directly from Boa should you have an issue.

SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

One of the interesting features of Lake shoes is their patent pending composite fiber lasting board, which suspends your foot over the outer sole. This floating inner board is captured under the liner of the shoe so without mentioning it you would never know it’s there – though your feet probably will. By isolating your feet from the outer with a floating carbon plate, you retain the stiffness and power transfer from the carbon sole yet the system is said to drastically reduce foot fatigue. This is one of the reason racers seek out Lake shoes, even when not contractually obligated. The inner plate is perforated to allow excellent ventilation and the outer sole is available in 3 or 4 bolt soles for the use of Speedplay pedals without an adapter.

SOC13: Lake Cycling Relaunches Brand, Previews Cyclocross Specific Shoe, New Winter boots, more

331 shoes are available in both MX and CX models with custom modeable carbon heel cups. The insole shown above right is an available upgrade on the 331s and comes standard with the 401 and 4012. Featuring a kangaroo leather upper, the 331s are abrasion resistant include an anti-microbial silver mesh. Road versions include a replaceable heal pad, while mountain versions have replaceable toe spikes.

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Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

I like Lake shoes.

mtb
mtb
10 years ago

Those look nice. The Boa is just like what I had on my S-Works shoes. It works great until it doesn’t… that’s the only problem I had with them. I wonder how I could get my hands on an orange pair… Lakes seem hard to find…

Steve @ G4G
10 years ago

I’d like to see that orange/black scheme in a road version.

Xris
Xris
10 years ago

Looks like I’m taking a visit to Blacksmith in the near future! Love the look of those shoes!

xb
xb
10 years ago

I had a pair of Lakes and was happy with them. Big shout out to Boa, if any user-serviceable component of the system (everything but the guides sewn on to the shoe) fails, Boa will replace it at no-cost with free shipping, no questions asked. Never had or seen an instance where the system stopped working properly.

RDub
RDub
10 years ago

Yeah.. my Lakes fit better than anything. BUT one muddy CX race required me to get the BOA “laces” warrantied. replacing them was easy enough on the first but the coating on the lace of the second had come off inside the housing- which was inside the shoe. Utility knife, cable cutters and some trickery later I now have fully functioning MTB shoes again- with an access hole sliced in the side of them. Happy to see the BOA moved up front to remedy this issue. Now if they would only return my emails….

Rohan
Rohan
10 years ago

Any word on wide fit versions of the new CX offerings?

Katch
Katch
10 years ago

Always wanted a pair of these shoes, but they were never well enough represented by retail shops. Hopefully that changes.

uglyyeti
uglyyeti
10 years ago

Bought a pair of Lake MX300’s in the mid-90’s. Probably wore them for 7 or 8 years before the cleat platform finally gave up. Best shoes I’ve ever owned.

Chad Goddard
Chad Goddard
10 years ago

Agree with the others. I love my Lake shoes. Would absolutely buy another pair if I ever found somewhere that sold them! Only ever see them on websites that are clearing them out and have really limited stock and sizing.

Samuel J. Greear
Samuel J. Greear
10 years ago

I wrote a review of the lacing system on my Lake’s after I had been running them for a year or so. You can read it here: http://www.pahasapatrails.com/blog/2012_04_13_living_with_the_boa_closure_system.html

Shoes are less than two years old and the outsole is wearing through in many areas around the toe. I guess this means I must spend too much time walking in them and not enough time riding in them? (hah, chuckle).

I have been happy with the shoes, but I paid $80 for them. I would have been _very_ upset with the quality of the BOA system and the outsole if I had paid retail.

velorider
velorider
10 years ago

Orange for the road shoes please!! Absolutely killer color way, it would be a shame to limit this to their cyclocross offering.

sambo
sambo
10 years ago

ive had issues with lake quality and poor customer service. like the look of the shoes tho. i very much like the feel of the boa system but damn they wear out fast. i’ve had boas blow out after less than a month of riding.

bk
bk
10 years ago

I lived in Chicago for quite a few years and happened across a shop on the Northside that retailed Lake. I tried on several pair and noticed that sizing was in consistent along with the craftsmanship. For example: My feet are very similar in size (I don’t need two different sizes to accommodate my 1.5mm foot length discrepancy) however jumping up a 1/2 size offered no additional room in the left shoe. Also there is the issue of craftsmanship where the shoes do not match when you look at them. Some have more or sometimes less mesh exposed in certain areas where the opposite shoe has larger areas of kangaroo. I thought maybe it was the shop trying to sell imperfects however I had the exact same thing happen at SOC as mentioned above. I want to like them so badly but…..

Bob Loblaw
10 years ago

+1 on the color. Can’t see wearing the red/black of the mountain shoe at all. But the orange would make me stretch my budget to fit.

StageRaceDistribution
StageRaceDistribution
10 years ago

Hey Everyone,

Thank you to all for your support and criticism alike !
Please visit lakecycling.com for the US dealers near you.
If there are none, please email us at stageracedistribution@gmail.com.

Thanks again to all for your interest in Lake Shoes for new inquiries and warranties alike.

The Lake Shoes Team at StageRaceDistribution

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