Jloewe wrote:
Travis R wrote:
Jloewe wrote:
Travis R wrote:
Disclaimer: I'm a Lake dealer.
Definitely take a look at the Lake sizing process:
https://www.lakecycling.com/pages/sizing-charts I always start here with shoe selection. Within the Lake lineup, there is enough going on that it helps to know your dimensions first before you can then decide on the models by last. They have 11 different lasts, and it gets a bit confusing because the shoes based on the wide Competition last are actually wider than the extra wide Race last. So, first get some measurements, and then we can discuss your Lake options.
As far as Bont goes - it's a good quality shoe, and a unique shape that can work for the right foot. The hard part is knowing if you have the right foot. I wish I knew a bit more about their product range to offer any advice there. I don't see a lot of them in the fit studio, which might just be a product of my local market.
Provided the very unenthusiastic wifey took the measurements correctly I’m about 260mm long and 107 wide. Which puts me in a wide Bont 42.5. I would actually up to 43 based off what I read and the fact my last 2 pairs of shoes were 43 and never had an issue with length.
Are those measurements the same for both feet? Is that before or after you add the 5mm per the Lake process?
Yes, did not add the extra.
OK, based on that, per Lake's process, we would add 5mm of length. This would put us at 265mm long, and the width would remain the same at 107mm. Assuming this was measured while standing, with weight on the foot being measured, that's actually a 42 in Lakes, length-wise. Width-wise, you're just a hair too wide for the Lake extra wide Race last (CX301, CX332, CX403), but the shoes built on the wide Competition last (CX218, CX238, CX241) would be worth a look. I think you could do well with those.
I personally have wide feet (flat, bunions, you name it - my career as a foot model is over) and wear the MX237s, which are the MTB version of the CX237, which was predecessor to the CX238. I really like them for their comfort - they feel good on my feet, and I don't think about them at all when I ride. I think some of that is due to the shape, some is the materials (cow leather), and some is because of the BOA enclosures. I rode wide Shimano XC7s before that, and while I thought they were comfortable enough, these were certainly a step up. If I have one gripe, it's that they're not the lightest shoes.
The CX241 would be the other Lake shoe I'd look at, if I were you. The construction is unique, and for us with wide feet, a really neat solution. The BOA system is attached to floating panels that are laid over an inner meshy material, which really allows the shoe to conform nicely to your foot. As an added bonus, they have strategically placed the mesh panels around the areas where bunions tend to be, which also happen to be the widest part of the foot. So, they allow even more room. As an added bonus, they also have a moldable heel. I plan to get myself a pair of these soon, as well.
So, those are a couple of models in the Lake lineup to consider. Being that you're right at the edge, measurements-wise, you could potentially look into the extra wide size 42.5 CX332s or CX403s. The kangaroo leather is really spectacular stuff and very pliable. For both of these, heat-molding will really bring everything together for your foot.
And, if I can make one general recommendation to everybody: If you can swing it, invest in shoes with BOA enclosures - they really distribute the pressures around your foot more evenly than something with a velcro strap, and you can fine-tune them while you ride, if you need to.
Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador