Lake CX178 – the natural cycling shoe choice for riders

Making a lasting impression on your feet  

With the 2026 cycling season now open, here at Lake we’re launching a new cycling shoe, to add comfort to your feet. The CX178 is a development on the previous CX177 and has an all-new ‘last’ which is designed to give a more natural fit to the forefoot and the large toe. The new CX178 creates more space in the toe box, with more neutral space and ensuring less tapering for the large toe.

Replacing the previous C177 and its use of the ‘Sport Last’, the CX178 introduces a completely new design with our ‘Sport Comfort Last’. Developed in collaboration with our chief designer, Hutch, this new shape has been created around the natural contours of the foot to better support natural toe splay, allowing the toes more room to spread comfortably during both cycling and walking. While the Sport Last continues to deliver a performance-focused fit, the Sport Comfort Last offers an alternative shape option, designed to promote a more relaxed alignment of the toes and enhanced comfort over longer rides. By supporting a naturally wider forefoot profile, it encourages efficient foot mechanics while maintaining the performance characteristics riders expect.

Innovation and excellence at the right price

The new CX178 draws on our fit principles, and the associated technology and design from our high-end shoe models, giving all cyclists access to the ultimate in cycling shoe comfort. Taking a cue from the Comfort Plus Last, not wider or large volume shoes; just a more inline toe box and no pressing inwards of the toes, and particularly the big toe.

The new outsole design has also been changed, as Hutch tells me that it now allows the cleat to be placed further backwards or forwards on the sole - giving a more accurate cleat placement and assisting with the rider alignment. The 60K force nylon composite sole provides efficient power transfer with controlled flex for all-day comfort. The outsole includes 9mm of toe-to-heel cleat rail adjustability and extended midfoot positioning, allowing riders and bike fitters to fine-tune the cleat placement for biomechanical efficiency and reduced strain.

In terms of our history here at Lake, we were forerunners in the engineering of accurate and stiff nylon composite soles for cycling shoes. Our early use of this material was engineered in a way which made it lighter stiffer than our competitors, having a refined shape to the sole. We’ve continued this innovation with the CX178 road cycling shoe, also increasing the size of the toe and heel pads, to give greater stability, traction and durability off the bike. The toe bumper is also increased in size and is integrated by co-moulding within the new sole on the CX178.

CX178 – at the upper end of cycling shoe quality

The upper on the CX178 remains our tough and durable stretch-resistant microfiber, with precision cut ventilation ports along the forefoot and midfoot. These ports promote airflow and moisture management without compromising structural integrity. The anatomical shaping of the upper complements the re-engineered toe box, reducing compression at the medial and lateral forefoot and as outlined by our design team, allowing the toes to expand naturally under load. This all-new design improves comfort while maintaining a secure, performance-driven fit and promotes better foot health. Closure is managed by the industry leading BOA L6 single dial system, wrapping your feet securely and providing fast, micro-adjustable tension across the midfoot.

The system ensures even pressure distribution and quick entry/exit while keeping weight low. Combined with the supportive upper pattern and the reliable heel cup design, which remains the same from the CX177, the closure delivers a glove-like, secure hold throughout the pedal stroke.

High-performance and comfort, without the price tag

Albeit our entry-level shoe, the new CX178 is created to give world leading comfort to all cyclists. It comes in regular and wide sizes, and in two color option: a black upper with silver lettering, or white with black lettering. Here at Lake, we continually speak with cyclists and bike fitters, to ensure that we constantly look for new ways to improve the comfort of your ride.

Take a look at our all-new CX178 today, and ride into spring with comfort and performance in perfect harmony.