Cycling shoes for Cyclocross

Lake ambassador & Great Britain National Champion, Xan Crees

Cyclocross requires a special mindset and a special type of cycling shoe. Choosing a cyclocross shoe is not a simple issue – and neither is racing on this most testing and tough of cycle sport disciplines. Thankfully, Great Britain women’s elite champion, Xan Crees is an ambassador here at Lake, and helps us to stay ahead of the pack, feeding valuable information to our design team, and enabling us to continue creating some of the best cyclocross cycling shoes in the world!

There’s a lot that goes into creating a cyclocross cycling shoe and having elite world riders such as Xan to work with, helps us to continue to develop and to innovate. Ultimately, every cyclist deserves a pain free cycling experience. Cyclocross is tough enough for riders, without then having painful cycling shoes to contend with.

Speaking with Xan she tells me:

“I think the most important thing for cyclocross is having one shoe that is comfortable both on and off the bike. In the past I’ve had shoes great on the bike, but not off the bike and vice versa. You spend a lot of time running and on your feet in poor conditions underfoot. The thing with Lake and the MX333 is that I don’t have to think about them, as they are comfortable for me in all situations and I can just ride!”

The 2025/26 season has started well for this likeable and enthusiastic young athlete, from the U.K… October saw her ride to her first UCI Elite victory, with the unrelenting course at Varberg on the coast of Sweden. Having raced on the Saturday and coming in a respectable 5th place; Xan raced again on the Sunday, and set off determined to improve from the previous day's racing, leading the race and beating the world-class field of elite riders to capture her first UCI win, wrapped in a custom pair of our Lake MX333 cyclocross shoes.

Key features when choosing cycling shoes for cyclocross

A stiff sole and grippy outsole

With more cyclists taking up cyclocross, it’s key to know what a good cyclocross shoe looks and feels, and how it should perform. The first thing is that it needs a rigid and stiff sole, for maximising power transfer when the ground is loose and thick and difficult. On courses such as Varberg, with the combination of mud and deep sand to work your wheels though, that power transfer is essential.

When we created our MX333, we used over 40 years of innovation and expertise to design what we believe is the evolution of the cycling shoe. It’s a cycling shoe for cyclocross and other off-road disciplines, based on our renowned Lake Race ‘last’. We’ve used a 100% Carbon Fiber sole for super stiffness and performance, along with the added benefits on all terrain types such as Varberg, of a secure and stable rubber off-road patterned sole.

Xan is one of the best possible people to help us in continuing to create world-leading cycling shoes for cyclocross. It’s about getting the balance right.

As we talk more about what makes a good cyclocross shoe, Xan responds:

“I think you need a shoe that is sturdy and firm, as cyclocross is demanding, and you want them strong, but sturdy and soft on the bottom. When you're running you can get cuts and blisters if they’re too stiff, and that’s not good. Power transfer is important, but this must be balanced against the time that I’ll spend on my foot, too. And, of course, good studs make a world of difference on slopes and off cambers.”

TPU Lugs and toe spike options

Thankfully, because we know how important a feature it is for cyclocross racers such as Xan; our durable and grippy TPU lugs give you a provision for toe spikes to keep your feet firmly planted on the pedals when there’s a mud-fest to ride, and when the terrain is ultra-technical, with tricky and slippery climbs. As Xan says, in cyclocross, there’s often no option but to take to your feet on lose or steep ground.

“A grippy outsole and great tread and running lugs are an essential part of the shoe, and at Varberg there were lots of occasions where the Lake MX333 and the lugs helped to keep me stable and secure when running! You can’t really race without them.”

Thankfully, our MX333 is made specifically with TPU lugs and the ability to fit spikes, as experience has taught us of their value to riders. They need to be durable, as you’re going to be taking on some of the most demanding and technical courses in the cycle-sport world – courses such as Varberg.

Durable construction and a secure fit

Cycling shoes for cyclocross need to withstand the repeated abuse of mud, sand, water, and frequent cleaning. We’ve all seen those iconic images of mud-covered riders – imagine how this affects the bike, the clothing and the cycling shoes!

Our MX333 gives you a choice between light weight Clarino Microfiber or an extremely durable helcor leather upper. Both options provide you with a Carbitex Medial Support panel for that super-secure fit, and an Outlast temperature regulating heel and a tongue liner. The internal Thermaform Carbon Fiber heel counter adds to the secure fit and stability on mixed terrain such as Varberg and the multitude of cyclocross courses in the Benelux countries, where many of the classic cyclocross races take place.

Adding to the security of fit, the MX333 has an internal heel counter made from heat moldable carbon, giving the option to better customize the heel hold. A secure heel will stabilize the foot and eliminate heel slip, increasing comfort, power transfer and a reduction in fatigue, through a more stable foot.

As we continue chatting, the question of power transfer again crops up. After all, Xan is an elite racer and national champion. Xan reminds me though, that “it has to be a balance between really good power transfer but still being good to run in. Too far towards power transfer and the shoe can be too difficult to run in and can cause those blisters and cuts and pain. The Lake shoes fit the bill perfectly for me.”

Closing the shoe and keeping you comfortable

Finally, in terms of the overall design and construction of a world leading cyclocross cycling shoe, it needs the very best closure system possible, to ensure that the shoe fits you comfortably – ensuring that it stays firmly fitted on your feet. Our MX333 uses the world-leading BOA® Fit System Li2 dials. The Li2 dial is the most advanced platform in cycling, offering a precise, micro-adjustable fit in both directions and designed to resist abrasion. Additionally, the plush leather wrap-over tongue provides a comforting barrier against the secure grip of the BOA® closure system.

The journey of champions

Discussing the season so far with Xan, and the course at Varberg, she enthuses about it, having provided her with her first UCI win.

“After the Saturday I sat down and had a think, knowing that I could have done better. I told myself that I wanted to do something different; and so, when Sunday came, I set off from the first whistle, determined to take things on. Thankfully, this aggressive attitude worked well for me and got the win – which was tremendous!”

And, in terms of her goals for the rest of the world cyclocross season:

“I have one more race in the U.K. at Tanfield in the National Series. It’s good to race and to show the jersey as National Champion. Then I will be focusing on World Cup, which starts on the 23rd of November – so, shifting attention to this. Hopefully, I can start to place myself regularly in the top 20 in the world and build a platform for the future.”

Whatever she does and wherever Xan races, Lake will be riding – and running – along with her and supporting her world class journey into the elite echelons of the cyclocross world, with our Lake MX333 wrapping her feet in comfort – on and off the bike!