foot &
function

to plague cyclists, especially over long distances. Poor cleat position, insufficient ventilation, bad bike fit… These all play a role, but sometimes it’s because your shoes actually don’t fit you.

   Lake was founded in the US in the 1980s, with a 100% focus on fit and function – an ethos that continues today. They’re one of the few brands that offer both wide and narrow versions of all their shoes; you can even order one wide and one narrow, or a different size for each foot, if that’s what you need to be comfortable.

   Before I got my pair, I went to Gear Change in Cape Town (a Lake stockist) and had both my feet measured properly for length and width by one of their expert bike fitters. Only then did we start experimenting with the different models on offer.

   The MX242 was by far the most comfortable one I tried on. It has a mesh inner and closes via six independent zones, with two points of adjustment. This design allows you to tighten or relieve pressure almost anywhere on your foot (keep the arch tight and the toe box roomy, for example), and it means the shoe can accommodate almost any type of foot, or feet with issues such as high arches or bunions. It even has a heat-mouldable heel cup: put the shoe in the oven for a few minutes and you can custom form the heel as required.

   In terms of build quality, they’re right up there: the body of the shoe is made from a mix of foam mesh, leather and carbon-fibre support panels, with a stiff carbon sole and grippy rubber for when you’re off the bike.

   I’ve been wearing my MX242s since October 2023 and they’ve endured some tough rides, in mud, rain, dust and blazing sun. The outsole is definitely not brand-new anymore, but in general the shoes show little sign of wear, and they’re still as comfy as when I first tried them on. Importantly, I haven’t suffered any foot pain or toe numbness – something I’ve always struggled with on long rides. If my feet start to tingle, I simply reach down, loosen the toe area by a few clicks, and the pain goes away.

   The MX242s are ‘mountain bike’ shoes – they

take a two-bolt cleat such as a Shimano SPD. I don’t mind riding SPDs on my road bike and my mountain bike (it’s nice to only have one pair of shoes to grab in the pre-dawn darkness, or to throw in your bag when going on holiday), but the same shoe is also available with a three-bolt road cleat design. It’s called the CX242 and has the same upper and adjustability, with a slightly different sole.

   There are also lots of other models to choose from if your feet are more ‘normal’, starting at R3 300. Chat to the consultant at your local Lake stockist and he or she will be able to guide you in the right direction.

   Final verdict? They’re not cheap, and they’re also not the lightest: at 440g, one MX242 is nearly double the weight of a Specialized S-Works Recon, which is in the same price bracket. But if you’ve struggled with shoes in the past and you’re looking for something that prioritises comfort over everything else, it’s well worth having a fitting. And if you do decide to go ahead with the investment, you know they’re going to last for many, many kilometres.

to plague cyclists, especially over long distances. Poor cleat position, insufficient ventilation, bad bike fit… These all play a role, but sometimes it’s because your shoes actually don’t fit you.

   Lake was founded in the US in the 1980s, with a 100% focus on fit and function – an ethos that continues today. They’re one of the few brands that offer both wide and narrow versions of all their shoes; you can even order one wide and one narrow, or a different size for each foot, if that’s what you need to be comfortable.

   Before I got my pair, I went to Gear Change in Cape Town (a Lake stockist) and had both my feet measured properly for length and width by one of their expert bike fitters. Only then did we start experimenting with the different models on offer.

   The MX242 was by far the most comfortable one I tried on. It has a mesh inner and closes via six independent zones, with two points of adjustment. This design allows you to tighten or relieve pressure almost anywhere on your foot (keep the arch tight and the toe box roomy, for example), and it means the shoe can accommodate almost any type of foot, or feet with issues such as high arches or bunions. It even has a heat-mouldable heel cup: put the shoe in the oven for a few minutes and you can custom form the heel as required.

   In terms of build quality, they’re right up there: the body of the shoe is made from a mix of foam mesh, leather and carbon-fibre support panels, with a stiff carbon sole and grippy rubber for when you’re off the bike.

   I’ve been wearing my MX242s since October 2023 and they’ve endured some tough rides, in mud, rain, dust and blazing sun. The outsole is definitely not brand-new anymore, but in general the shoes show little sign of wear, and they’re still as comfy as when I first tried them on. Importantly, I haven’t suffered any foot pain or toe numbness – something I’ve always struggled with on long rides. If my feet start to tingle, I simply reach down, loosen the toe area by a few clicks, and the pain goes away.

   The MX242s are ‘mountain bike’ shoes – they take a two-bolt cleat such as a Shimano SPD. I don’t mind riding SPDs on my road bike and my mountain bike (it’s nice to only have one pair of shoes to grab in the pre-dawn darkness, or to throw in your bag when going on holiday), but the same shoe is also available with a three-bolt road cleat design. It’s called the CX242 and has the same upper and adjustability, with a slightly different sole.

   There are also lots of other models to choose from if your feet are more ‘normal’, starting at R3 300. Chat to the consultant at your local Lake stockist and he or she will be able to guide you in the right direction.

   Final verdict? They’re not cheap, and they’re also not the lightest: at 440g, one MX242 is nearly double the weight of a Specialized S-Works Recon, which is in the same price bracket. But if you’ve struggled with shoes in the past and you’re looking for something that prioritises comfort over everything else, it’s well worth having a fitting. And if you do decide to go ahead with the investment, you know they’re going to last for many, many kilometres.