Every Lake winter shoe is built around three principles: insulation that traps body heat without bulk, water-resistant construction that keeps the elements out, and the same legendary Lake fit that makes our road and MTB shoes famous. We use 3M Thinsulate insulation, DWR-coated uppers, and high-ankle designs that seal the gap between shoe and leg — the number one cause of cold feet on winter rides.
Our winter range covers road, MTB, and commuting — from the popular CX146 and MX146 3-season boots to the extreme-cold MXZ305, now in its 5th generation.
New to winter cycling? Read our complete guide to winter cycling shoes.
How to Choose Your Lake Winter Cycling Shoe
The Winter Range
Not all winter rides are equal — and neither are winter shoes. Here's how our current range maps to your riding:
3-Season Road: CX146 — $279.99. Our most popular winter shoe for road cyclists. Built on the Sport Last with a fiberglass-injected nylon sole and 3-bolt road cleat compatibility. 200g Thinsulate insulation, a softshell upper with water-resistant microfiber, DWR coating, and a waterproof membrane liner. The glove-friendly BOA M4 dial makes on-the-fly adjustments easy, even in thick winter gloves. Available in Regular and Wide.
3-Season MTB: MX146 — $279.99. The MTB counterpart to the CX146 — same Thinsulate insulation, same water-resistant construction, but with a 2-bolt SPD-compatible sole featuring our Supergrip Enduro tread with ICE LOCK anti-slip lug inserts. Vertically injected micro glass fibers in the tread bite into icy surfaces for confident walking on frozen trails. BOA M4 dial. Regular and Wide.
Extreme Winter: MXZ305 — $369.99. The 5th generation of Lake's original winter boot, first introduced in 1997. Built for the harshest conditions with American full-grain water-resistant leather, a German Helcor abrasion-resistant toe protector, and a leather over-flap that shields against snow and debris. 200g Thinsulate insulation throughout. Ultra Bomb-Proof Enduro sole with ICE LOCK glass-injected anti-slip inserts. BOA M4 tongue-mounted dial. 2-bolt SPD. Regular width only — but the Winter Extreme Last has the largest and tallest toebox in our range, naturally accommodating wider feet and thick winter socks.
Lightweight Winter: MXZ21 — $299.99. For riders who want winter protection without the weight of a full boot. The MXZ21 combines a 100% carbon fiber midsole with a real rubber Mountain Competition outsole — making it the stiffest and lightest shoe in our winter range. Soft-shell upper with water-resistant microfiber, seam-taped membrane barrier, and DWR coating. Speed-lace closure for fast on/off. 2-bolt SPD. Regular and Wide. Sizes 37-52.
Important: the CX146 and MX146 are highly water-resistant with DWR coating and a waterproof membrane, but — like all cycling shoes — they are not 100% waterproof due to openings at the ankle. For sustained heavy rain, pair with overshoes for the best protection.
What Makes Lake Winter Shoes Different
Insulation that works. We use 3M Thinsulate — the same insulation technology found in mountaineering boots and arctic gear. It traps body heat in millions of tiny air pockets without adding bulk, so your feet stay warm without feeling stuffed into an oversized shoe.
High-ankle design. Every winter model features a high-cut ankle cuff. This isn't just for warmth — it creates a seal between shoe and leg that blocks cold air, rain, and road spray from entering. It's the detail that separates a proper winter cycling shoe from a regular shoe with an overshoe pulled over it.
Glove-friendly BOA M4 dials. Our winter shoes use the BOA M4 Cartridge dial, specifically designed with a larger profile that's easy to grip and turn while wearing thick winter gloves. The Click-Fit quick-release system lets you pop the shoe open for fast removal after frozen rides.
ICE LOCK anti-slip tread. The MX146, MXZ305, and MXZ176 feature our ICE LOCK technology: vertically injected micro glass fibers in the rubber outsole that grip icy and wet surfaces like no standard rubber can. Walk confidently from the car to the trailhead, even on black ice.
Winter Shoe Sizing
This is critical: Lake recommends sizing up 1 to 1.5 sizes in all winter cycling shoes compared to your regular Lake size. Winter shoes are designed to be worn with thicker socks, and the extra space allows a layer of warm air around your foot — which is actually what keeps your toes warm. Use our size guide to check your measurements, then go up accordingly.
