Do the Lake MX333 shoes take gravel footwear comfort to a whole new level?

While they are not to everyone’s taste style-wise, Lake shoes have been the go to shoe for the wide of foot for years. These MX333s are the company’s top off-road shoes, an evolution of the 332s and, like their predecessors, have a road version with the CX333 also released at the start of this year.

I tested the CX332 road shoe as part of a three-way wide fit test a few years back and rated them very highly for performance and comfort. However, even then the 332s were looking dated. The 333s have received a comprehensive makeover, with a new closure system further improving comfort and fit. And I think they look pretty good too.

Construction

To achieve their goal of providing riders the ‘perfect trilogy of power, performance and fit’ Lake has redesigned the 333 line from the pedal up.

The upper bears little resemblance to its predecessor, and for me, the most significant change is the new closure system. The Boa dials have been moved to the outside of the shoe, with a flap passing over the top, enveloping the foot and negating any pressure points. The Li2 dials are adjustable both ways, so if you over-tighten them you don’t have to undo the shoes to loosen them. More of that later though.

Lake have also added the woven ‘carbitex’ fabric medial support panel concept. It’s designed to stabilise the foot, not only increasing all-day comfort, but ensuring no power goes to waste. Fit around the heel is aided by a small, heat mouldable carbon fibre counter helping you customise the heel cup’s shape to your feet.

Available only in black or blue, the colour dictates the material used for the upper, the black shoes constructed form Helcor leather, while the blue shoes I tested are made from microfiber, which Lake says is less stretchy and may feel smaller.

Somewhat obviously, Lake asserts these 333s are best used on, rather than off the bike, suggesting they may not be best suited to cyclocross. However, if the ground is too slippery you can add spikes, and while the soles aren’t overly chunky, improving looks, the TPU lugs should allow plenty of purchase.

Lake’s ‘Sport’ last is new too, and designed for performance. Constructed entirely of carbon fibre it’s stiff and comes in three widths, which is where the wide of foot should take note, especially if you’ve used Lake’s 332 model shoes before. To bring the 333 series in line with the company’s other models, what was Standard fit is now Narrow, the old Wide is now Regular, with the previous Extra Wide now just Wide.

The ride

I’ve been using Lake shoes on and off since finishing a long, hot 100 miler with my old shoes undone to ease the excruciating pain in my overly wide feet. I’ve used the CX332 road shoes extensively, and bought their cheap-ish MX177 for winter off-roading, so I had a reasonable idea of what to expect when the MX333s arrived.

Some Lake dealers will provide a comprehensive fitting service, but after a chat with Lauren at the UK distributor I selected the Standard fit in blue, which looks better in the flesh than in photos. I didn’t expect them to feel quite so plush when I first slipped them on; they cosset my feet, fitting beautifully however thick my socks.

The side opening looks good and is a game changer for comfort and fit. It gently spreads pressure all over the foot but still firmly enough to hold the shoe in place. 

The heel cup is well padded, but grips the foot to such an extent you wonder whether to bother doing them up. However, I found they slip a little when walking, which encourages me to over-tighten them, even if I’ve never experienced similar slippage on the bike.

On the move I’m an inveterate shoe fiddler, and even when my feet swell in the heat I often find myself over-tightening, causing me discomfort. This isn’t helped when fastenings loosen, and the Boa Li2 dials on these shoes occasionally work loose, like all dials I’ve used.

However, these 333s are the best fitting cycling shoes I’ve owned and I’m learning not to be so aggressive doing them up. Over-tightening aside, they are wonderfully comfortable, though simultaneously resolutely stiff. There is zero compromise and no detectable flex whatsoever. Much more comfortable than my Lake road shoes, they are easily as stiff and direct, which, of course, maximises what power I have.

You can heat mould the heel cup of MX333 for better fit, and though I was happy with the fit out of the box, I did it anyway to ensure my research was complete. It made no difference for me, so if you’re happy with yours as they are l wouldn’t bother.

Value

To some extent value is dictated by one’s bank balance, but £395 is a lot for a pair of shoes. We have seen certain sizes as cheap as £355, but they are currently Lake’s most expensive off-road shoes and £140 more expensive than the company’s other new arrival, the MX30G gavel specific model.

Specialized’s Recon S-Works are around £25 less expensive, and Shimano’s new S-Phyre XC903, which are marketed with wide options, are listed as cheaper than the Lakes, though remain as rare as hen’s teeth.

The big question is, do other brands offer the same variety of fit or the MX333’s comfort? Unfortunately, as most who have suffered with foot discomfort can testify, it is often necessary to pay a premium for no pain.

Good for pottering about in or racing, with the MX333 Lake have once again produced supreme comfort and performance in one package. So good has been my experience I’m thinking of putting SPD pedals on my road bike.