In some ways, the Lake CX239 road cycling shoes are a more accessibly priced version of Lake’s premium CX333 shoes, retaining many of the design cues and features, but weighing enough and omitting enough – including Lake’s signature carbon heel moulding – to drop the price by £100.
The fit is less performance-focussed without ever feeling excessively roomy, while the dials’ position and the tongue have been remodelled. Consequently, the leather version of the CX239 is a resoundingly comfortable road shoe that’s versatile, durable and embodies the reliably high build quality you would expect from Lake.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
Lake CX239 design and features
In a bid to create a more secure fit, the Lake CX239 shoes now use an integrated tongue, a fibreglass reinforced heel counter and Boa dials positioned further apart. They use the brand’s Competition last, a foot mould said to be designed with high cadence riding in mind, but slightly roomier than the all-out performance Race last. Lake has fitted them with its 80k force carbon sole, which is a rung below the 90k patented double-layer sole used in the CX333.
Riders have the option of Clarino Microfiber or Ecco leather for upper material, while the heel is lined with an Outlast material, said to be temperature regulating. The CX239 shoes have some practical inclusions, like a protective rubber guard and supposedly replaceable heel pads. Plus, since its Lake, they come in a good range of widths and half-sizes.
Lake CX239 fit
The aims of the CX239 shoes are something of a balancing act. The design aims to create a firmer foot hold, while also using a slightly more relaxed last than the CX333 – its older, more expensive sibling – and, to that end, not bothering with a narrow-fit option.
Having ridden the CX333 shoes extensively, the fit of the CX239 measures up well. In a regular size width, the widest point of my foot was comfortably planted and cocooned, with enough volume for some swelling during riding, while the toe box allowed for toe-wiggle room without being cavernous.
The internal padding was ample on the now partially integrated tongue, which simplifies getting the shoes on and off. The heel support rises a fair way up the Achilles, which adds to the locked-in sensation, but won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Lake says it has increased the distance between the Boa dials on the CX239 shoes, but they are still significantly closer together than on the CX333, which seems like an unnecessary differential, especially when there’s been an acknowledgement from Lake that a greater distance improves fit modulation across the foot.
This will impact riders who have lower volume mid and forefoot areas, and would benefit most from having a dial as low down the shoe as possible. This doesn’t include me. Personally, while I am happy to leave a fair amount of vacant room lower down the foot, I enjoy the effect of the more spread-out dials on the CX333 shoes as it effectively differentiates the pressure points and gives you more scope to loosen specific areas on the fly. It’s very possible to achieve a neat, secure fit in the CX239 shoes, but it doesn’t quite match up to the variation offered by its more premium sibling.
Lake CX239: Upper materials
The benefit of leather as an upper material is normally felt months rather than weeks into a test period – especially as it’s more durable. Leather conforms to the shape of the foot more pliably than microfibre, and has more give, so riders sacrifice a small amount of solidity for malleability and comfort.
So far – using the microfibre on the CX333 as a comparison – the leather has fared well. I haven’t seen the same crank scuff I experienced with the microfibre alternative, and the material responds well to heavily tightened dials. Helpfully, the external heel panel is a mixture of reflective and scuff-proof black material.
The materials contribute to an overall weight of 682g in size 44.5 without cleats. This is quite heavy, but only 22g heavier than the Lake CX333 shoes that I tested in 2024.
Lake CX239: Carbon sole
The stiffness of the 80k carbon sole seemed sensible enough to me, providing a thoroughly solid pedalling platform that didn’t produce numbness or painful pressure points with prolonged use. That said, I never thought the 90k double-layer carbon sole in the CX333 impacted on comfort, though it was cradled by a more elaborate sole system. The cleat mounts are adjustable, which makes it simple to pinpoint your correct cleat position.
According to Lake, the heel pad is replaceable, but it requires quite a rough procedure to get there. The material underneath the removable insole needs to be pulled out, revealing the screw. When in use, this walking pad is not particularly grippy, and I had to exercise particular caution when navigating smooth surfaces.
Lake CX239: Ventilation
Lake has included some large mesh vents on both sides of the shoe, to accompany the comprehensive network of dotted ventilation, while the heel and tongue also benefit from a layer of Outlast material, said to help regulate foot temperature.
‘The thermo-regulating Outlast technology uses microencapsulated wax,’ says Lake’s Lauren Ryan. ‘The wax acts like a heat sink, melting when the foot is hot to absorb the heat, then as the foot cools, the wax recrystallises, releasing the heat out of the shoe to keep the foot comfortable.’
Despite this cosy padding (and caveated by this testing being done in January and February) they were well ventilated and my feet didn’t overheat while riding. That said, I’d still use a less substantial shoe for seriously hot weather. The CX239 shoes are suited to the less clement months because – with the help of thermal socks – they kept my feet insulated even with the array of vents.
Lake CX239 review verdict
Lake’s slightly more accessibly priced road shoe the CX239 is a smart combination of trickle down features from its predecessor and shoes at the top of Lake’s range. The Competition last is versatile enough for most kinds of riding, with the stiff carbon sole, tightened heel counter and ever-reliable Boa dials producing a dialled fit. While the ventilation is considerable, the thickness of the upper material renders the CX239 less suited to seriously hot conditions and contributes to a higher weight.
Lake CX239 specs
- Model: Lake CX239
- Weight: 682g (EU 44.5)
- Price: £295
- Sizes available: Regular 36-50, 52, 39.5 - 46.5; Wide 37-48, 50, 39.5 - 46.5
- Colours available: White/white (Microfibre), Black/black (Leather), White/black (Leather)
