A new incarnation has landed. The Lake CX239 arrives after over 5 years of CX238 comfort. The old CX238 had the width and leather softness that made it a favorite of bike fitters and retailers alike. Does the upgrade keep the dream alive?
When you change a much loved shoe, there is a lot on the line. ‘I like your old stuff better than your new stuff’ is a genuine theme that runs through retail (and music for that matter!). There were some features of the CX238 that needed a tweak and thankfully Lake has addressed those emphatically.
The parts we loved are still there. The soft leather options remain and allow this shoe to bed in beautifully over time. The sexy Li2 Boas remain and they are great at mirco-tuning your fit. The wide carbon race sole remains - stiff enough and wide enough for most feet and riding styles. It’s the new additions that add a lot to the series.
Aesthetics - whilst most users of the CX238s were not at all fussed with how the shoes looked, for some the design features and branding looked a little dated. Because the shoe is designed to be wide, it makes it trickier to not emphasise this feature for those who wish to have Italian looking feet.
The new CX239 has managed to recreate the upper design which makes the shoe look a lot sleeker and less ‘agricultural’. More judicious use of mesh inlays and a prettier patterning in the leather make the entire shoe look a lot more contemporary. After seeing hundreds of pairs of CX238s in the last few years, spying the new CX239 immediately made you realise that some heavy groundwork had been performed in the design department. Does it change the shoes comfort? - probably not, but it certainly will convince a few 50/50 users to commit.
Heel Closure - This was probably the one feature on the old shoe that from a function perspective needed to improve. The new heel retention feel aided by the one piece tongue design really grabs the foot and supports it in a way not before felt in this series of shoes. The one piece tongue also looks a lot more minimalist than previous designs. I’d expect that the leather fatigue on the trim of the tongue will fare a lot better than previous models. Finding the correct fit though is crucial, as the new tongue sensation will take a little getting used to. As the lip softens, the fit improves, but the edge can feel more obvious in those with less prominent arch profiles to begin with. We also find that with adequate arch support added into the shoe (which can be done with the addition of the Cobra9 SemiPro) the throat of the shoe feels more comfortable. That said, some with super sensitive dorsal (upper) foot anatomy may need some help initially to bed this feature in.
In the same vein as the CX239, the new MX239 borrows most of the same features as the road shoe and also improves its aesthetics as well. This review essentially could relate to both offerings.
Overall, the Lake CX239 remains the go to shoe for those who want a sense of leather support (clarino is still offered) and a wide, spacious toe box. We have found that the early adopters really like the new visuals and still love the space within. It’s great when a company (or a band!) brings out a great follow up offering. In this case, Lake have managed to slide into the 25’s with the best of both worlds.
Pros
Wide - yeah!!
Soft Leather and Clarino uppers
Carbon soles
Awesome Boas
Great closure system with tongue
Way better on the eye
Better lasting tongue design
Cons
Still a little heavier than some advanced shoe offerings (the CX302 fills this void)
Tongue may need a little time to soften for some
Overall - 9/10 - Getting it done!!
Want to try a pair on? We have some stock on hand so you can book a shoe fitting and we can make sure the new Lake CX239 is the shoe for you!
Photos @fatpidgeon
