Dear Lake MX238X: it’s not you, it’s me
22.7.2024
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
I’m testing a Lake Cycling shoe designed for wide feet. My verdict: we just don’t work together. And it's not the MX238X's fault, but mine. To be precise, my feet are to blame.
We’ve probably all heard it before, or maybe even said it ourselves. Or both. «It’s not you, it’s me.» That old phrase used to end a relationship as painlessly as possible for the other person. Today, however, it’s not just an often-used phrase. It really is me. Or, well, my feet.
If you want gravel biking to be fun, everything has to be just right. From the right position on the bike to clothing and shoes. And here, my slightly wider front feet have sometimes made choosing the right footwear a little challenging. Luckily, I’ve since started using a model from Shimano for wide feet, which I’m actually happy with. However, on the recommendation of a professional bike fitter I’ve been wanting to try a shoe from Lake Cycling for some time.
The Swiss distributor provided me with a model to test.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Lake MX238X for wide feet
With its big toe area, the MX238X offers enough space for wide feet. When this isn’t the case, there’s a risk the sole of your foot will press on the edge of the hard carbon plate used in the shoe. This causes numbness in the foot after a certain time. Not an issue with this shoe. The opposite, in fact.
However, there’s another problem: my toes are clearly wider than «normal» feet, but my heels are obviously slimmer than expected. And this just doesn’t gel with the MX238X from Lake, as the shoe is also wider at the back. You can clearly see this in the comparison image of all three shoes above.
Specifications
- Material: abrasion-resistant Helcor leather, mesh lining
- Sole: Lake Competition 100 % carbon sole, 2-hole standard (SPD)
- Fastener: 2 × BOA IP1-S Push Pull
- Weight: 720 g / pair (size 43)
Source: Daniela Rohr
In theory, the shoe does everything right
The MX238X has a high-quality finish and is robust thanks to water-repellent leather and mesh fabric as well as abrasion-resistant leather panels. According to the manufacturer, the abrasion-resistant Helcor leather has been specially developed to be resistant to rubbing, scratches and scuffs. The Hook-Lycra heel lining is designed to give the foot a firm hold when walking. But that’s exactly what the shoe doesn’t do for my feet, no matter how hard I tighten the Boa fasteners.
In a nutshell
The Lake MX238X does everything right but still doesn’t fit
How do you rate a product that does everything right and still doesn’t fit? Do you give five stars or one? I’d say four. The MX238X from Lake Cycling is a high-quality cycling shoe for wide feet. Both in the front and at the back. Annoyingly, my feet are only wide at the front, not at the back. Tough luck.
Still, Galaxus product tests remain subjective. And that’s on purpose. Since I’m not familiar with the other 16 billion or so feet that walk or bike across our planet, I can only allow myself to judge with my two. So sorry MX238X. It’s not you, it’s me, we won’t be making a long-term commitment.
Pro
- plenty of toe space
- high-quality materials
- clean finishing
- double Boa fastener
Contra
- heel area too wide for my feet
Header image: Daniela Rohr
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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