Over the years, I've tried shoes from PI, Shimano, Sidi, Fizik and even Mavic. None of them were the Cinderella fit I long for and all of them had something I didn't like but learned to deal with. Width, or lack thereof, has always been my biggest complaint but I accepted that a cycling shoe had to be narrow and somewhat uncomfortable. Or, as is the case with Sidi Mega, there's so much volume that my foot is swimming. I finally decided to try Lake after reading so many positive reviews here and elsewhere about the wider toe box, tight heel cup, leather upper and stiff outsole. It's the most money I've ever spent of a pair of cycling shoes, but they are so worth the price. The fit is simply glorious and I know that will only get better over time as the leather breaks in and molds to my foot. My toes have room to move and spread out, yet this isn't what I would call a high-volume shoe. The arch support is excellent and the dual Boa allows you to dial in the perfect fit and easily adjust on the fly. I like these so much that I bought the MTB version (MX 237). I'm a Lake customer for life!
This is a terrific road shoe for those who like extra room in the forefoot for their toes and not feel constrained as in Sidi or Fizik shoes. The leather is quite supple and the last is stiff, but not uncomfortably so. The BOA system is durable and reliable, the only minor quibble is that there is no microadjustment to loosen the shoe, once disengaged, the BOA completely releases. The heel pad is now replaceable which is a good feature. These have been my favorite road shoes since the days of the old Shimano moldable in the oven shoe.
After years of cramming my foot into narrow cycling shoes, I assumed this was a fact of life and just dealt with it. I don't have a particularly wide foot, but I wear Altra running shoes and Oboz hiking shoes which both have wider toe boxes and I'm now accustomed to letting my toes spread. I've been wearing Fizik (road) and Sidi (gravel) for the past several years. When it was time to replace my current shoes I decided to try Lake despite the higher price point. WOW! As soon as I put them on I noticed these fit differently. Much more comfortable than any cycling shoe I've ever worn. The dual Boa lets you dial in a perfect fit and the sole is super stiff for great power transfer. The leather upper is a bit stiff at first but over time will mold perfectly to my foot. I also like the shape of the last, it's great for pedaling long distances with no pain or fatigue in the arch. Sizing is a bit wonky. I had to size down. I wear a 45.5 in Fizik and 46 in Sidi. I ordered a 45 in these and they fit perfectly. I like these so much that I ordered the MTB/gravel version (MX237) Fantastic shoe. Highly recommend!
I really like this shoe because of the wider forefoot and comfort, had used the Specialized S works shoe for several years prior to this for the same reason. Other brands like Sidi and Giro ran quite narrow for me, while Shimano came closer to the fit I needed. The dual boa lacing system is a cinch to use and has been flawless during my first season of 3K road miles. The sole is stiff but probably not the most ultrastiff on the market, which is okay by me. Insole is actually pretty decent with just the right amount of arch support for my flat arches. Glad this newer version of the 237 has a replaceable heel pad. Really enjoy this shoe coupled with SPD-SL cleats on my Parlee Z5.
sized too large
If you have issues with shoes not being wide enough. These are the ones to get. I would highly rexommend.
I've used the shoes for several weeks. Nice quality and fit, but the tongue needs to be longer and padded since the top of the inside of the shoe irritates my ankle. I have to use bandages to buffer the annoying pain. Maybe after break-in this problem goes away.
If you are looking for a shoe with a wide fore foot and still holds your heal, this is the shoe for you.