dmanthree

I had been looking for a new pair of road shoes for a while, and finally broke down and spend for a pair of Lakd CX 238s. After getting one set that were too tight and exchanging for a larger size, well, I shouldn't have waited so long. The old Shimanos were good shoes, but after a couple of hours on the road they'd develop "hot spots" at various places on my feet. No such problem now The Lake uppers are very supple, the soles are STIFF, and after a few rides they only feel better. Huge difference between the old and the new. So, I guess you just get what you pay for.

Yeah, I know. I shouldn't be surprised.

blacknbluebikes 

six years ago I figured I was really overpaying for the shoes I'm still riding very comfortably, happily and without care or concern. now, after all this time - good investment.

caloso

Exactly. I never cheap out on contact points. Shoes especially.

datlas 

Contact points like shoes/saddles are so personal, you have to find what works best for you.

Glad you found the right shoes.

79pmooney

Lake shoes work really well for my feet. I've been wearing them for years. I do a very simple test when I try on new cycling shoes. Can I stand tip-toe on them with all my weight driving my toes into the toebox? (Really, like a ballerina on point.) Do my nails hit? Did this at Performance with their selection of shoes. Their cheap house brand was by far the best. I rode those shoes into the ground. It took years of riding and commuting year 'round and many cleats. Went back and discover those shoes now carried the Lake name. Cost a couple of bucks more. Lasted just as well and were just as comfortable.

Now, I have come to issues with straps. My feet do not like them, especially riding fix gear where I may have to pull hard against them to go uphill. I've now removed the straps on three pairs of shoes including my two newest Lakes and replaced then with laces. Ahhh! I'd forgotten what a treat they were/are. To set up shoes for laces, go to Tandy Leather and buy the kit for the brass grommets. (I bought two kits, the smallest for most of the holes and one size up for the last one.) I drill the holes with a drill press but the kit comes with a punch so the only tool you need is a hammer and something solid (concrete floor, anvil, vise ...)

"You get what you pay for" My Lakes are a lot cheaper than the shoes I would have bought otherwise. In fact, my "best" shoes are a pair of really light, kangaroo-like leather, very stiff carbon soles that I bought at discount (last year's) for twice what I've ever paid for Lakes. Brought them on my first fix gear Cycle Oregon to wear on the "big" days; the cheap Lakes the rest of the time. (Didn't mind walking the gravel rest stops in the Lakes.) Well, day 3 was Crater Lake, 98 miles and 10,000 feet. After that, I never put the good shoes on again. My next 5 Cycle Oregons were on Lakes and I stopped bring a second pair.

I hope Lake doesn't change. They have made me very good, comfortable and very well made shoes that have held up very well.

Jack Tone 

I'm the opposite. My feet don't care. My most comfortable. bike shoes are $25 Nashbar rejects. When I worked for the Post Office, I had walked the equivalent of two laps around the Earth, but never spent more then $50 on shoes. (although went through a lot of them)

dmanthree

My father had a saying: the sting of low quality remains long after the sweetness of low price.

dmanthree

That's the thing; I didn't think I was cheaping out on my last pair since they were over $120. But, guess what?

dmanthree

I'm the true opposite of you. I have a high arch and high instep, and bad shoes torture me. Last pair of running shoes I bought (for walking) were Brooks Ghost, and I drove the poor salesman crazy while I kept trying different pairs. But I did buy them so he didn't mind.

smashndash

I have a pair of Lake CX176. I absolutely despise them. I've read online that lake seems to have a penchant for padding. Is the CX238 highly padded as well? I'm on the lookout for shoes too, but I want something with very little padding. Something like the Sworks 7.

downtube42

In about 1986 I was walking back to my tent after day 1 on the Bloomington Indiana Hilly Hundred, and saw a pair of blue cycling shoes by someone's tent with a sign that said "Free". The were size 12 so i took them. Leather uppers, made in China, "Speeder" branded. The only shoe that doesn't give be hotfoot after 200 miles, and I still have them.

dmanthree

The 238 is not heavily padded. There is is a nice firm foot pad, but nothing approaching "chushiony" feeling. The uppers are the real treat. Supple and firm, with nice control using the 2 BOA devices on each shoe. And the sole is really stiff. Noticeably stiffer than the Shimanos.

Sy Reene

Correction for OP.. you meant "It's Gotta be da shoes"