Purchasing a dedicated pair of winter shoes marks a point in a cyclist’s life that signals a more-than-normal determination to ride in sub-optimal conditions. Whether you’re a committed commuter or a committed winter trainer, making the switch from cycling shoes and overshoes to winter boots will make you a handful of riders.
Reasons you might want to switch include warmth, comfort, quicker wear and not wanting to repeatedly get your best summer shoes wet. If you do ride a lot during the cold winter months, it makes sense to invest in a specialized pair of shoes (boots).
Although Lake has a wide variety of cycling shoes, its winter footwear offerings are fairly simple. Unless you want a very heavy trail boot or low-cut winter shoe, the CX146 is your only option (2-bolt enthusiasts can opt for the MX146 with a grippy sole, but the upper is the same). These replace the CX145 shoes which we gave 4.5 stars, so the CX146 has some big boots to fill…ahem.
(Image credit: Bob)
Interestingly, Lake’s website says “The CX146 is the answer to cold road riding in the fall or spring. CX146 Developed for mild, wet weather, perfect for those days when racing shoes just aren’t warm enough. “To me this shows a slight lack of ultimate warmth, but offers a higher level of pedaling performance than most ‘winter’ boots. “Mild and wet weather” sounds like almost any season in the UK, but Lake’s official recommended temperature rating is -4°C, which should cover the most reasonable riding conditions!
Color-wise, there are Henry Ford-esque options, and while you can choose between regular or wide styles, Lake recommends sizing up 1-1.5 sizes above normal. Available in full sizes from 36 to 50.
put up
The upper is made from waterproof Clarino microfiber that looks a lot like leather, giving the boot a slightly old-school vibe, and is backed by an unknown waterproof membrane. Lake recommends treating the material with a DWR spray to keep it waterproof and prevent it from getting wet and affecting breathability. For warmth, there is a thin layer of 200g Thinsulate.
The cuff is higher than most boots, which is a welcome feature when it comes to road spray, and there’s a BOA M4 knob on the front for closure. It doesn’t offer any on-the-go micro-adjustment – the only way to dial it back slightly is to pop it out and re-tighten it to completely undo it, although its position makes it safer from impact damage than a side-mounted BOA. The last lace attachment before the BOA is a clip that releases completely to help put the boot on or off. The entire lacing system and tongue are covered by a large Velcro cover that prevents any water or spray from entering.
Great for snowy conditions
(Image credit: Tim Larson)
There’s a good-sized heel tab to aid in getting the boot on, and some large reflective sections on the sides and front to improve visibility in low light.
The outsole is constructed from Lake’s Road Sport fiberglass-infused nylon with 3-bolt mounts and protective but non-replaceable bumpers front and rear to protect the sole and provide some traction when off the bike. The insole is also worth mentioning as it has a deep waffle pattern on the bottom which traps air and helps insulate heat – it’s nice to see this high heat loss area being protected.
riding
After taking a measurement or two, Lake recommended that I go with a size 45 in regular width (I usually look for size 44 cycling shoes from Giro, Specialized, Quoc, etc. in the summer, and I buy Northwave’s size 44 winter boots).
The boots are easy to put on and the side clip concept allows the boot to open quite wide. As with most shoes of this type, it’s well worth spending some time at home making sure the tongue, tabs and other flaps are in the correct position, as this can avoid any awkward roadside re-installations when you realize something isn’t quite right. Adjustment. Exactly.
High cuffs protect against road spray
(Image credit: Bob)
My main concern when I first tried the CX146 was the high cuff. Not only is it tall, but it feels stiff and I was worried the pedal travel would be uncomfortable. Luckily, Lake really seems to know what they’re doing when it comes to shoe design, and this wasn’t an issue at all; I didn’t notice it at all while riding the bike.
On the other hand, I prefer the dual BOA setup, which creates different tension around the ankle and instep. The CX146’s predecessor, the CX145, had this feature, so I think it might have been a trade-off for cost or weatherproofing. I’ve found that the best way to get comfortable tension is to pull them very tight, loosen the BOA, and then re-tighten them. This seems to secure the forefoot and still allows for some flexibility around the ankle.
Reflective patch on the heel helps increase visibility
(Image credit: Bob)
Luckily (?) the boots arrived just as the Peak District was getting its first snows of winter, providing ideal testing conditions. The CX146 feels neat on the bike, certainly not as snug as a race shoe, but a little smaller than some padded winter boots. Stiffness is good – again, not racing carbon stiffness, but stiff enough that it doesn’t feel like wasted effort.
As I mentioned, the high cuff isn’t an issue at all in terms of comfort, and actually provides better protection against road spray. They also mitigated the slight shortfall in leg length of the Castelli Sorpasso RoS Wind overalls I was testing, preventing cold, drafty ankles.
I wish the heel and toe grips could be replaced or made slightly deeper – the main wear area under the big toe has a fairly small rubber lug that doesn’t look like it will offer a long life. Even in the winter I often don’t ride my bike. Taking photos, peeing behind trees, and even stopping at the occasional coffee shop, so I do seem to wear out my grips more than most.
Value and conclusion
At £200, the CX146 is good value for money assuming you regularly ride in cold conditions; most winter boots cost more and feel clunkier on the bike. Maybe the trade-off is ultimate warmth, BOA count, and lack of branded film, but none of those things seemed to matter during testing. Additionally, the high cuffs and large reflective patches provide valuable points of differentiation, and I also like the classic leather-like aesthetic. I also suspect the CX146 will “break in” well over time, further improving comfort and wear resistance.
