Gear Review: Lake Cycling Shoes - Walk On Water With Lake

author : Writebrained

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Both the Lake Triathlon Shoe CX210TRI and the Lake Road Shoe CX225 offer distinct advantages. I tested both shoes and found them to be extremely comfortable, good looking and durable.

by John L. Garner (a.k.a. Writebrained)
Beginnertriathlete.com Gear Reviewer
 

The 411
All of Lake’s road bike shoes feature Look® and SPD® compatible carbon-injected nylon outsoles, hook and loop strap closures (with a lace option) and molded heel counters. Lake’s road shoes feature full grain leather with a mesh upper and come in the following colors: Blue/Silver, White/Silver, and Black/Red. Plus, they weigh in at 341 grams (that’s 3/4 pound).
 
Lake’s Triathlon shoes feature Look® and SPD® compatible fiberglass-injected nylon outsoles, a single hook and loop strap, an easy entry and exit closure system and molded heel counters and come in the following colors: Pearl White (as shown) and Silver. By using nylon instead of leather, these shoes save some weight, coming in at just 235 grams (just over half a pound).

In case you were wondering, wide widths are available. See the Lake website for more information.
 

First Impressions
Open up a box containing hot, fresh pizza and the sweet aroma will tickle the pleasure center of your brain almost immediately. For the triathlete, opening up a box with fiberglass injected nylon will also create major drool.

The Review
Lake Cycling Shoes have been around since 1982. The single-minded goal of the company is to allow the rider to focus on the ride! Lake claims that their shoes offer a custom fit carbon system, which allows the rider to form and shape the rear quarter of the shoe to the cyclist’s foot. They deliver! Natural leather called K-Lite kangaroo leather is utilized and is light and strong.

Clipping into a pedal system for the first time can be a little intimidating to the beginner triathlete. But once you have experienced the power transfer of a clipless pedal system, there is no turning back. A good road shoe will keep the rider pedaling in circles instead of squares, keep the feet cool and eliminate wasted energy and foot pain.

For the beginner triathlete, a basic road shoe will suffice for competition. Lake makes an award winning road shoe in the CX225. The CX225 comes with three adjustment straps. The advantage of a road shoe is that the rider can set the snugness of the shoe via the Velcro straps at various points. This is critical for epic training days out on the roads.

For shorter efforts and quick transitions, the Lake Triathlon Shoe CX210TRI offers the triathlete several advantages. The water shedding synthetic leather upper and single strap allow for a dry bike ride and quick transition. If you are adventuresome enough to pre-mount your shoes to your pedals and put your feet into your shoes while riding out of T1, the triathlon shoe (with only one strap) is the way to go.

Both types of Lake Cycling Shoes offer distinct advantages. I tested both shoes and found them to be extremely comfortable, good looking, and durable. For race efforts and bricks, I recommend the triathlon shoe. Easy to put on and quick to tighten, the CX210TRI triathlon shoe creates a dry, quick transition and allows for a snug ride.

For training rides or for those who don’t mind a slightly more involved transition, the Lake CX225 is an excellent option. The three Velcro straps allow for a more customizable fit and can be re-adjusted as needed if the foot swells up or shrinks from the day‘s activities. Although the Tri Shoes are a better value, if you can only afford one pair of shoes, I recommend the Lake Road Shoe. This is due solely to the flexibility the three point adjustment system gives the rider.

Lake CX225 Road Shoe
Category	Score	Notes
Value		Expensive but well built
Appearance		Clean and modern look
Construction		Solid
Factory Packaging (shipping)		Excellent
Ride		Comfortable
Customer Service		Solid

Lake CX210TRI Triathlon Shoe
Category	Score	Notes
Value		Expensive but well built
Appearance		Clean and sleek
Construction		Solid
Factory Packaging (shipping)		Excellent
Ride		Comfortable
Customer Service		Solid

Final Thoughts
While stiff, Lake Shoes remind me more of a comfortable slipper than a cycling shoe. I have had mixed results with previous cycling shoe purchases (extremely narrow fit or poor durability). The Lake shoe promises a great fit, great durability, and more. If you’re gonna dance on the pedals, you need to take Lake Shoes to the ball.
 

A Note On the Author: John L. Garner (a.ka. Writebrained) is an Illinois State Trooper assigned to work in a Special Victim’s Unit. In addition to triathlons, he enjoys freelance writing, family, and teaching. He is an official reviewer for Beginner Triathlete.

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date: January 7, 2007