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


  • Lee Zehngebkt

    1. I have a hammer toe, which shoe would be best
    2. Where in NYC could I go to be fitted ?


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