Although Lake markets their clipless winter compatible cycling boots for competition mountain bike and cyclocross use, the venerable Lake MXZ/CXZ has been a favorite among year round commuters for about the past ten years, mostly because they’ve usually been the only cycling shoes available that’s appropriate for winter use. Lakes are very pricey, with the 2009 MXZ302 and CXZ302 listing at nearly $300 a pair, but those who can afford these boots love them.
For 2009, Lake introduced several new shoes which are lighter, more flexible and more breathable than the MXZ300 line of winter cycling boots. They all feature a durable waterproof, breathable bootie made with eVent fabrics that’s framed in fully adjustable harness to hold it all together and a molded heel counter and toe guard, with an adjustable neoprene collar to keep the water from coming in through the top.
The MX240C shown below has a carbon fiber sole with rubber outer sole. The CX240C is the same shoe without the rubber grips.
This shoe below — the MX140 — is the same as MX240C, except with a plastic sole replaces the ultra light weight carbon fiber in the MX 240C.
Not shown is the I/O 140, which features Vibram rubber sole and hook and loop strap closures instead of the BOA lacing system featured on the 240 and 140 shoes.
While these newer all weather cycling shoes are lighter weight than the MXZ boots, they won’t provide quite the warmth you might need for very cold temperatures. Lake rates the 140 and 240 boots down to only 32°F / 0°C. For colder applications, the MXZ302 and CXZ302 feature a leather upper, a full insulated liner with 3M Thinsulate in the toebox, and additional insulation in the insole to keep you from losing warmth through the pedal.
This is high end stuff; I’ve gotten by over the years with army surplus and backcountry gear cycling at temperatures as low as -40, but I’d love to hear from anyone who’s used Lake’s MXZ boots.