Lake Cycling MXZ303 Men's Winter Boot - Vibram Outsole - Thermosol Composite Insulated

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  First, for the record, I ordered a size 11 Wide in the Lake MXZ303-X. I'm really a 10.5 medium width. (To be precise, my foot is 10-3/8" long and 3-3/4" wide.) The wide version of the Lake is NOT particularly wide. With two pairs of socks, it is very snug, almost too snug, although it has loosened up a bit with use.I should also tell you that I ride a recumbent trike. I average 16 miles per hour and my feet are straight out, the soles pushing against the wind and cold air--not a good combination for keeping the toes warm.Cold sensation is subjective. I have to admit that my feet run cold. If your extremities run warm, you might have a different experience. I wear a thermolite liner sock and a heavier wool sock over that. At 30F my feet get cold after 60 minutes. After 90 minutes my toes are VERY cold, feeling like they are in the realm of frostbite. At 40F I do much better; my feet are still cold at the end of 60-90 minutes, but they don't feel like they will chip off at any moment.I have tried two different booties to add warmth. The first bootie I tried was Endura MT500 II Overshoes, which close in the back with a zipper. It's a great product but is not designed to go over winter boots. I had to buy XXL in the MT500. Even that was not really large enough. It takes real effort to get them on and off. It really wasn't a good choice. I WOULD NOT recommend the Endura MT500 II for this boot.Then I tried a Pearl Izumi Soft Shell in XL (style 14381107), which close in the back with velcro. They were made in 2012. They are lighter in weight than the Endura, but they slip on easier. They are usable and although they help a bit, the difference is not dramatic--again, not for me.In general, botties do help in retaining heat but not by a great margin. I get maybe 15 minutes more of warmth before my feet get cold.All that said, Lake boots are very well made. I may be asking them to do the impossible: to keep the feet of a skinny 72-year-old man warm.

I was shocked at all of the review on these shoes since they are all over the map. Some ride them in 0F and other say they are only good to 40F. Some say they fit great and others say they order 3 sizes up (which is nuts because the cleat and arch will be in the wrong position.I just got a pair in today. I have Lake CX 331 in a 46 and I love those shoes. I put on my heavy Assos fugu wool socks with the CX331 road shoes and they fit perfectly. Lake says the MXZ303 have a wider and taller toe box to accommodate a thicker sock, so I thought great - this will be awesome.Well - the 303 has a narrow toebox IMO. The heel area up to the arch are pretty similar to the road last for teh CX331, but the toe is smaller in the MXZ303 than the CX331. By a good bit. They feel very warm and the leather is great and overall workmanship for the shoe is great. The sole is soft and flexible. Nice to walk in, but not too flexible to cause and issue pedaling (comment made with only pedaling on a stationary bike).I have ordered a 46 wide since it seems logical that all I need is room in the width and not the length. I will be sunk if the shoe is super wide, but should be able to sinch them, down more with the BOA. You want some space in the shoe but not so that you swim and your foot moves relative to the shoe or you will get blisters.I still think these warrant a 5 star rating so far, but wish their last would at least match the road last. I would go wider and not longer since longer causes bigger fit issues. The shoe might feel better since a longer shoe will be a bit wider but you will pay with the cleat and arch issues. Bottom line is to try them on and see what works for you. If I take the insole out, my 46 regular feels fine so I know it is a width issue. Also with no sock, I am OK as well.Addition - watch out for returns with Amazon Prime. If it is not fulfilled by Amazon and says Free Returns - you are on the hook for return costs and in the case of Brands Cycles - you will get hit for the to AND from shipping. So, with this shoe make sure you take an appropriate guess on sizing. Length seems correct but wifth is narrower than a Lake Road shoe last.

I’ve been a xcountry mtn biker since 1996. In my younger days I tried winter riding but fat tire bikes weren’t around back then and my feet were always cold. Lo and behold two months ago a friend insisted I try his trek stache 7 and now I’m a proud owner but up until today my feet were still getting numb riding in mid thirty degree weather. This 34 degree afternoon I tried out the Lake MXZ303 and my feet were warm as could be. I don’t know how they’ll do in colder weather but I’m sure they’ll at least be warmer than my regular bike shoes. I’m glad I bought them my riding season just got significantly expanded.I did pay attention to some helpful reviewers who suggest getting a size larger. I ordered a size 47 wide my regular bike shoes are shimano 46 medium width. The 47 wide size gives me plenty of room inside the boot but not too awkward when I walk in them. I suspect the people who say their feet stay cold are probably getting sizes that are snug around their feet with no room for air circulation.Update 2/15/20 rode 2hours today in 22 degree windy weather. Feet stayed warm. Was the only rider in the park probably too cold for everyone else. I’ll sleep good tonight.