The Wide Toed Cyclist

The Wide Toed Cyclist

It’s more common than you may think - yes, many cyclists have wide feet, especially at the toe box. Why then, might you ask, do so many cycling shoe brands sell narrow shoes?

That’s a very reasonable question; especially for Hutch and Christian here at Lake. When they’re deciding on a new model design, Hutch believes, quite rightly, that fit is the most important. Style after all, comes built in with our latest cycling shoe ranges.

Thankfully, being led by Christian too; a guy who travels the world speaking to cyclists, and who leads the Lake Cycling team, we’re able to think outside the box - and, out of the restrictions found in the usual industry toe box - meaning that with a Lake cycling shoe, we provide cyclists with the best range of width fittings in the world, ensuring that your own personal cycling adventures are the most comfortable possible - on tarmac or on the trail. After all, that’s what Lake cycling shoes are all about - comfort and performance in perfect balance.

However, and yes, it’s a big however, but one that Hutch already considers when designing our shoes; just because you have wide feet at the toe box, it doesn’t mean that you automatically have thick ankles too. This point came to mind in a recent reply to one of our blogs; which is why we thought that we’d give you some more detail. It was a question asked; and, if you believe in us at Lake, then as the world’s best cycling shoe brand, you deserve as much information as possible.

Basically, and I’ll refer back to another recent blog at this point; all of our moldable shoe models, where the heel is heated and placed on the riders’ feet, then expertly manipulated to give a perfect heel fit - these answer this question, where the cyclist has a wide foot but narrow heel. For example, if you take a CX 403 road cycling shoe in wide fitting, this deals with the issue of giving a comfortable fit to your wide forefoot. However, once the heel is heated and molded to your narrow heel area, then you will have the most comfortable cycling shoes in the world, as the moldable heel gives you that necessary stability at all points of your unique feet - something that other brands simply cannot give you. Yes, as well as wrapping your feet in our legendary comfort, we’ll give you smiles on every ride.

Let’s turn to Hutch now and find out more about this and how he’s developed these solutions, and how he designs the best cycling shoes in the world, for all of your cycling feet.

Foot geometry has so many variables that need to be addressed to achieve the perfect fit, and unfortunately 1 shoe in 1 width, in 1 shape will not provide that perfect fit.

One main feature of almost all cycling shoes, is building in a closer system across the instep of the shoe that has a range of adjustability to lock the foot in place inside of the shoe. However, in many cases, only having instep adjustment is just not enough. This is why shoes come in different length, and in most cases different width, and in fewer cases different last shapes; but one feature very few brands address is the heel closure, and how internal adjustment to insole can really dial in the fit.

One of the most complicated moments is when a rider has a wide foot with low volume. This is where heel adjustment like what is found on out CX/MX332, CX/MX242 & CX403 comes into play.

In many cases, using in-the-shoe volume fillers can help to fill in the excess space - to essentially lift the foot in the shoe, to get it into a locked heel position. However, being able to fine tune that heel lock-in, and accommodate the different heel variations provides an even more secure and comfortable fit without having to add in too many additional internal fillers.

MX 332

$449.99


6 comments


  • David Foley

    Hi, hope the Lake team are all well.
    Can I source and have your road shoes fitted in Sydney, Australia?

    Thanks, keep smiln
    David


  • dale

    Trying to buy a pair of mens cycling shoes in a wide has been very upsetting. My feet wearing my cycling socks which are a quality pair of non thick cotton are 112mm wide and the length is 278mm. Do I need an extra wide pair? I ride a road bike but use SPD’s. I have been wearing Shimano’s 44 wide that are 7yrs old,but they seem too narrow for me.I am looking to switch to LAKE because I heard that you actually make a truly wide shoe.Lake customer service emailed me and said either a 44 or 44.5 wide mx242. Is that shoe wide enough ??I simply need someone to tell me which Lake shoes will fit me and a size and either wide or extra wide that are comfortable.Can anyone at LAKE that actually rides a bike help me?


  • Ellen Towles

    I love my CX 241’s but wish the toe box height was taller


  • Todd Taylor

    The CX201 shoe is in a league of its own when it comes to comfort and fit in the toe box area. It’s the only road shoe I’m away of that doesn’t push one’s toes unnaturally inward for the sake of style. However, it does seem to be designed for a higher volume foot as it is a bit loose in the heal area, at least for me. I’m hoping Lake expands their line-up of shoes using the “Comfort Plus” last of the CX201 that has a shape closer to that of the minimalist shoes rather than wing-tip dress shoes.


  • Dave H

    I bought the Lake CX201 shoes a year ago —> game changing comfort. I have “normal” feet, not wide, but could never find comfortable bike shoes. They were all too pointy and pinched my toes.

    The CX201 shoes have a roomy toe box with enough room to put in my custom insoles. I love these shoes.


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