These have been great shoes. After forming them to my feet, they have been very comfortable, and the soles are very stiff. The downside like others have stated, has been the peeling of the soles. I actually lost the entire heel lug during the Ouachita Challenge. However, I have had the opposite experience with Lake (most people have complained about their lack of customer service). I called them, talked with a very friendly rep on the phone, and he sent me a complete set of replacement soles.
I think people are expecting something out of this shoe that it was not designed for. This is a racing shoe. Pure and simple. I made the mistake of wearing them during a race that required me to hike my bike a bunch, and in some very rocky conditions. Up till then, the shoes were perfect. For XC racing. So, my advice: don't wear these shoes if you are going to be spending a bunch of time hiking thru technical trails. Save these for race day, I think you'll be glad you did...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
grodo
a Racer
from WV Date Reviewed: July 24, 2009
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$130.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Look great, light, super stiff. Really like the shoes, but... (see weaknesses)
Weaknesses:
heel tread fell off during 4th ride(!), and was unfortunately lost on the trail. Support from Lake was 1 email response. After that... nothing.
Similar Products Used:
Northwave, Time, Specialized
Bottom Line:
As much as I wanted to like these shoes... they basically suck. The msrp is over $400 on thee, which is REALLY a joke. A great deal at $130 turns out to be not so great if they fall apart after a few rides.
As stated above, going straight to lake for help didn't amount to anything. I've contacted Jenson and sent pictures. Hopefully they'll come through for me, but I'm not holding my breath. Guess I should have stuck to the old saying "if it seems too good of a deal to be true..."
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Submitted by
raceer2
a Weekend Warrior
from australia Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Appearance I suppose
Weaknesses:
Outer soles are starting to peel off after just two short rides, making the shoes useless. Sadly it appears to be a common complaint. Wish I had read the reviews before pulling the trigger :-(
Customer service is non-existent after one email, then nothing, save the automated reply !
Similar Products Used:
Sidi, Louis Garneau
Bottom Line:
These shoes are worthless,and therefore cannot recommend to anyone. Please save your money and buy something else. I am just under 60kg with gear and I have mid-range to high end shoes and none have had issues. Go figure !
I would give zero chillies unfortunately thats not possible.
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Submitted by
jrcxu
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: July 20, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Strengths:
Carbon is very stiff, lacing is easy thanks to BOA
Weaknesses:
The rubber soles will fall off...not a matter of if but when, usually within 5 rides.
Similar Products Used:
Carnac
Bottom Line:
Spend your money on something else. Although the carbon looks good and the design is sharp, they won't last...
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Submitted by
wg
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area Date Reviewed: June 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Tahoe area
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Stiff, Straps and laces to customize fit and hold foot, price (on clearance).
Weaknesses:
Stiffness makes hike-a-bike challenging at times, weak outsole wearing away. Disco white color scheme
Similar Products Used:
Shimano M220s? (Its been a while)
Bike Setup:
Titus Switchblade, XT etc Time pedals
Bottom Line:
It took while to wear in but once that process was over, these are quite comfortable. Great power transfer due to extremely stiff carbon sole. That also makes hiking bolders an interesting process. Rubber outsole is falling apart but its been about two years now. I wouldn't pay full price for these but Performance clearance price was great for the shoe. Just bought a replacement pair of Lake MX 303 at performance too. Gotta love coupons and sales.
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Basalt, CO Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Boy Scout Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$119.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
fit, soft outsole for slickrock, cleat compatability, stiffness
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
shimano, maressi
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher Sugar 2
Bottom Line:
a great shoe to get at closeout prices. i don't believe i would pay retail for them, but that is a budget concern. some riders have complained of the outsole wearing quickly; i see the softer outsole as an asset in slickrock and rocky alpine riding. i have not seen a great deal of wear either, so perhaps the complaints are more of a cyclocross concern based on greater out-of-saddle time.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Farmington, CT. Date Reviewed: September 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Case Mtn
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$119.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Fit like a glove from the moment I put them on. Light, and easy to adjust while riding.
Weaknesses:
The rubber lugs are not durable, in fact they have worn to the point where I have to get new shoes. I ride in the Northeast where there are quite a few hike-a-bike sections.
Similar Products Used:
Sidi's, their lugs are a hard plastic that wear forever, but you can kill yourself walking on wet rocks and roots.
Bike Setup:
Moots YYB - XTR - Time pedals
Bottom Line:
I love the shoe because it is very comfortable, but wish the lugs were more durable. A great shoe if you live in a non hike-a-bike section of the country
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Submitted by
alex
a Racer
from arkansas Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
tsali
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$119.00
Purchased At:
performancebike.com
Strengths:
light weight, carbon sole, straps are'nt too long like on the MX300 and 301. Very stiff! Super great fit, gotta love the laces and strap system.
Weaknesses:
Hmmm, i suggest instead of kangaroo leather they should have used the same type of stuff thats on the 301s. I think the kangaroo will tear easy. No toe spikes or even lugs? Color scheme.
Similar Products Used:
Lakes, AXO
Bike Setup:
the usual race ready XTR machine
Bottom Line:
Great fit, really cush inside. Laces are super along w/ the straps. The straps are'nt super long, just right. Stiff for the climbs and not too bad to walk on. Very light. I've only ridden them a short time so i will post another review in a few months to update the wear topic. Five flamers for these rockhoppers.
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Submitted by
DEAN
a Racer
from MI Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Extremely stiff Strap/Lace system good fit Light
Weaknesses:
maybe too stiff no toe spikes steep ticket to ride, if you pay retail
Similar Products Used:
Time world cups Nike Yuhas
Bike Setup:
RacerX w/the goods
Bottom Line:
excellent shoe if you are all about power transmission. If you race and don't have many hike-a-bike sections, these shoes are hard too beat. They are stiff from toe to heel which makes makes walking a little tough but not impossible. I had to cut some lug too enlarge the cleat pocket for my Time pedals. I did it because I was use to the Time cleat pocket which is huge. I swapped from my Times to the Lakes for the sponsorship. They turned out to be an excellent shoe and I would have to rate them a notch above the Times for an all out race shoe. Where are the toe spikes ?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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