Lake Men's Mountain Bike Shoe MXZ304, Black, 10 Review
If you're a dedicated winter cyclist, you understand just how crucial it is to keep your feet warm and protected while riding through frozen streams and snowy terrains. The Lake Men's Mountain Bike Shoe MXZ304 stands as a testament to Lake's commitment to innovation and quality, being one of their finest winter cycling boots yet. With a design that prioritizes ease of use and exceptional thermal insulation, this shoe is crafted for those who refuse to let cold weather hinder their cycling adventures.
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Features
- Upper Material: Pittards A WR100 leather with Helcora toe and ankle guard
- Lining: OutlastA temperature regulating liner with 3MA ThinsulateA lining in the toe box
- Closure: BOAA dial closure system and hook-and-loop strap
- Footbed: Thermosol composite insulated insole
- Midsole: High-impact nylon for added durability
- Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
- Sole Material: Rubber for superior grip
Pros
- Exceptional warmth due to the lightweight Thinsulate insulation
- Durable Pittards leather conforms well to the foot
- Heavy-duty Vibram outsole provides excellent traction
- User-friendly BOAA dial positioned for easy adjustments with gloves
- Temperature regulation features enhance comfort during rides
Cons
- May feel bulky compared to standard cycling shoes
- Available size range might be limited for some users
- Higher price point compared to non-winter cycling footwear
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Model | Insulation | Closure Type | Sole Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake MXZ304 | Thinsulate | BOAA Dial | Rubber |
| Sidi Drako 2 | None | Buckle | Carbon Fiber |
| Giro Empire VR90 | None | Laces | Vibram |
Detailed Review
The Lake Men's Mountain Bike Shoe MXZ304 excels in various performance categories that are vital for winter cycling.
Comfort: The combination of Pittards leather and insulated footbed ensures that you can ride for hours without feeling discomfort. The material molds to your foot shape, providing a snug fit that's crucial for long rides.
Warmth: Insulated with Thinsulate, these shoes maintain heat efficiently, making them ideal for extended exposure to colder environments. Riders can pedal confidently, knowing their toes will remain warm even in harsh conditions.
Traction: The Vibram outsole exhibits impressive grip on both wet and slippery surfaces, which is essential when navigating icy trails. Whether you're on or off the bike, the traction holds up remarkably well.
Adjustment Ease: The front-positioned BOAA dial allows for quick adjustments, even with gloves on, which is a significant advantage during winter. This feature also enhances comfort by evenly distributing tension across the foot.
However, consider that these shoes may feel bulkier than your typical cycling shoes, and they come at a higher price, reflecting their specialized design and materials. Overall, if you seek reliable winter footwear for cycling, the Lake MXZ304 is a formidable contender that meets the demands of the season.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Excellent conforming fit, suitable for long rides. |
| Warmth | 10/10 | Outstanding insulation keeps feet warm in freezing temperatures. |
| Traction | 9/10 | Superior grip on icy and snow-covered surfaces. |
| Ease of Use | 8/10 | Convenient BOAA dial simplifies adjustments. |
| Value for Money | 7/10 | Premium pricing, justified by high performance and quality. |
User Reviews
Overall, the construction of these boots is very well made. I have about 300 miles of riding in winter conditions and the boots are still in top condition. The thermal insole is appreciated to reflect heat back to the foot and insulate the bottom of your foot.Make sure to purchase two or three sizes larger than normal (2 or 3 European sizes, that is). I normally wear an EU size 47 or 48 boot, but I had to order EU size 50 Extra Wide to fit (which theoretically equates to an approximately US size 15!). I normally wear a US size 13.The boot is very tight to pull on the first few times you wear them. After several uses, the boots pull on as you would expect. Once the boot is on, it feels very comfortable - with plenty of room for heavy socks and space in the toe box to move your toes.I wear the 304's with heavyweight, over-the-calf wool socks. For temps below 30F, I do use the chemical hot packs (e.g. HotHands Toe Warmer) made for shoes and boots - which I stick to the roof of the roomy toe box. This works well down to about 10F or so.I don't ride with clipless pedals anymore, so I had to purchase the Syksol Cleat Slot Covers to fill the void on the sole when not wearing cleats. The Vibram sole has very deep tread, which is overkill for my use in snow. I'd be happy with a less aggressive sole.The BOA twist knob closure must be cinched down 3 or 4 times - as the cables develop slack as you walk around after first putting the boot on. Once fully tightened, the BOA closure works fine. The velcro closure with the plastic hooks looks flimsy, but it works just fine.
Size runs somewhat smaller than expected. I wear 11 1/2 4W, so I ordered what they said was size 12 W. This is actually European size 45, while I usually wear size 46 for bicycle shoes. It was close enough that I can wear them, but if I ever replace them, I'll order the next size up. The boots work well for hour-long rides at freezing temperatures.
Third times a charm with this shoe. Normally i would wear a 10 1/2 but with this brand I had to go two sizes up and a wide. For the price the stitching should be much better. The grip on the soles are pretty grippy
These are NOT true to size, they run at least one full size small and are narrow. I ordered a 12 the first time and received an 11.75 whatever that is. I couldn’t get my foot in it even without a sock. I asked for a replacement in size 13 wide and received a 12.5 wide. Which part of 13 don’t you understand? I tried to just exchange it for the proper size but it only allows you certain options and I did not want to exchange it for the “exact same item” because I’m afraid they’ll just send me another 12.5 wide and there was no option to contact the seller. What a fiasco.
I have wide feet and ordered a size and a half up and went with the wide version. I have plenty of room but probably need it for thicker socks when it gets cold. So far, I have experienced a little coldness but will wear thicker, more insulated socks the next time. They are great with the SPD cleats. No sign yet at all of any wear and tear.Update: 12/21/2022. So far so good. Even in -5 degrees Fahrenheit conditions and colder they will work as long as quality thermal socks are utilized. They make a difference.
I have not been able to ride outside in < 50 degree weather due to cold feet despite use of warm socks and thick shoe covers. These boots allows me to ride outside in < 40 degree weather with warm feet. I was able to complete half of the Rapha 500K outside. But beware on advice of a friend, I ordered 2 SIZES UP AND WIDE to make sure I had room for thick socks and foot warmer pads. They fit perfectly! They run (extremely) small and narrow. I had ordered one size up with reg width and my toes were hitting the end of the boot AND I had a hard time pulling the boot off! Had to send them back.
Pricey, but worth the investment for me. I always get cold toes/feet when mt biking in the fall/winter seasons on the north east coast. These boots along with a hand warmer on the top of the foot are perfect. We have ridden at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, no problem. Didn't give them a 5 because the 1st time I put the right boot on I didn't open the tongue enough and kind of squished the heel material. Which now bunches up a bit, kind of annoying. But doesn't impact the warmth or function of the boot at all. I was more careful with the other boot and it has not had the same issue. Super happy with the purchase to enable me to keep riding all year round with warm feet!
These seem to be about the best winter shoes for really cold temps and riding in the north east winters.