LAKE MX176
Affordable shoes that balance comfort with usability
WEIGHT 451g COLOURS Lake Black/Beetle WOMEN’S MODEL No SOLE Nylon/glass fibre CLOSURE Boa/Velcro
Lake bills its MX176 as a shoe that’s been designed for all-day comfort and will work equally well for cycle couriers and off-road adventurers. It combines a deep-tread rubber outsole with a synthetic upper that incorporates mesh side panels for ventilation and a PU (polyurethane) finish to resist water. The fastening is a single Boa, plus toe-strap pairing and it has a larger toe box construction than most, which not only makes it suited to wider feet but provides expansion room on long hot days.
When determining my fit for a test shoe Lake asked me for my foot length and width. Without this I’d have gone for my standard size 46 (EU) but as it turned out, I measure up as a 47 for Lake; so if you’re ordering online check the chart and follow the instructions. The result was the bestfitting shoe on test – snug enough to feel secure without over-tightening but with enough wiggle room for comfort. I usually upgrade shoes with my own custom insole but the one that the MX176 comes with gives good support, and if you do find yourself wanting more you can upgrade with Lake’s own custom footbed or underfoot winter option.
Perhaps because the fit was so good for me personally, I found that the Boa and toe-strap pairing didn’t need overworking to arrive at a balance that holds your feet secure enough for efficient pedalling while being easy enough for walking without your heels slipping. Even though these feel like they have a stiff sole when you’re handling them, their secure fit makes them comfortable for walking in. The mountain bike-inspired rubber outsole has plenty of grip and stability too.
On the bike, while it’s not a road racing shoe, there’s no power compromise for all that comfort – and this is a shoe that’ll happily support you on long days out. The downside? It’s not the lightest, but for me comfort is all and on long rides, social rides and over mixed terrain I’d put that far above a few extra grams. The Lake MX176 is a shoe that feels great and rides hard.