Lake sizing
What size Lake cycling shoe do I need?
Lake builds on several different foot shapes, so your size in another brand tells you almost nothing. Measure your foot, answer four questions, and we will match you to the right last, size and width.
Why your usual size does not carry over
Most brands build every shoe on one foot form, called a last, and change the size number to make it longer or shorter. Lake builds on several. A 43 on the Race last and a 43 on the Comfort Plus last are the same length and a completely different shape through the forefoot and over the top of the foot.
That is why picking a Lake by number alone goes wrong so often. The number handles length. The last handles everything else, and everything else is what decides whether the shoe works on your foot.
Wide feet, high insteps and bunions
This is the reason most riders find Lake in the first place. Width is not an afterthought here. Most models come in Regular and Wide, several offer Narrow, and the widths are built on their own lasts rather than stretched from a narrow shoe.
Two models go further. The CX242 and MX242 use a segmented upper, six independent zones that wrap around a bunion or a bony spot instead of pulling a single panel across it. The CX178 uses the Sport Comfort last, which opens the toe box so your toes sit straighter through a long ride.
Measure both feet and use the larger one. Nearly everyone has a longer foot and a wider foot, and they are not always the same foot. Sizing to the smaller one is the most common mistake we see.
What we see at the lab
We have watched a lot of cycling shoes come through here, and Lake is the brand we keep coming back to ourselves. Riders who tell us they have tried everything usually have not tried a different last. They have tried the same shape in four different sizes.
The other thing worth knowing: Lake shoes last. We see pairs come back for a new BOA dial five and six years in, with the uppers still fine. If you have been replacing cheaper shoes every couple of seasons, the math works out differently than you would think.
Not sure between two sizes?
Send us your measurements and we will tell you which one to order. If you are in Vancouver, Portland, SW Washington or the Gorge, come by and try them on. Free sizing help either way, and we handle warranty work directly with Lake so you never deal with the manufacturer.
Shop Lake at DialedLake sizing questions, answered
Do Lake shoes run large or small?
Neither, reliably. Lake uses European sizing and their length bands are their own, so a rider who takes a 43 in Shimano can land anywhere from 42.5 to 44 in Lake depending on the model. Measure rather than convert. The tool above uses Lake's own length bands, so it gives you their number and not a guess from another brand.
How do I know if I need Wide?
Measure across the ball of your foot, at the widest point, and compare it to your length. Lake sets a width range for every length, and the tool does that math for you. A high instep also counts. If your foot is average width but tall over the top, Wide often fits better than Regular even though the width number says otherwise.
Can Lake shoes work with bunions?
Yes, and this is one of the things Lake does better than anyone. The CX242 and MX242 use a six zone upper that adjusts around a bunion rather than pressing a single panel over it. The CX178 uses a broader toe box on the Sport Comfort last. Tell the tool you have a bunion and it factors that into what it recommends.
Which Lake shoes are heat moldable?
The CX242 and MX242 have heat moldable heel counters, and several premium models do as well. One thing to know before you do it: Lake will not accept a return or exchange on a shoe that has been heat molded, ridden, worn outside or had cleats fitted. Be certain of the size first, then mold.
What if my size is one you do not stock?
The tool tells you when that happens instead of pushing you into the closest thing on the shelf. Lake makes sizes 36 through 52 across the range, and we can order sizes we do not keep in stock. Send us your measurements and we will tell you what Lake builds in your size and what we can get.
Do I measure my feet in socks or bare?
Wear the cycling sock you actually ride in, and measure standing up with your weight on the foot. Your foot spreads under load, which is exactly the state it will be in on the bike. Lake's sizing already allows for toe room, so do not add any yourself.