Lake Cycling shoes Christmas review

Inspiring cyclists from 2025

Here we are once again, approaching another Christmas, meaning that another year of cycling is drawing towards closure. AS the cold air of northern Europe and elsewhere hits many of us, you’ll already be looking for inspiration for 2026 cycling trips and adventures. Christmas is also a good time to treat yourself and maybe replace your old cycling shoes. To take a look at the world’s most comfortable cycling shoe brand – Lake – and to let our amazing brand ambassadors inspire you on your next cycling adventure!

Christmas is a time for celebration and for giving… and that also means celebrating your own year of cycling and maybe treating yourself. And so, here are some inspiring cyclists to help you to decide on which cycling shoes will be the right one’s for you this Christmas!

Elinor Barker – sporting excellence on the road & track

In January, we spoke with multiple European, World and Olympic Champion, Elinor Barker from the U.K… This quietly spoken, yet world-leading cyclist told us about her cycling beginnings, growing up in Cardiff and riding for the same club as Geraint Thomas. Chatting with her, she recalls fondly the family bike – a family bike called the ‘Rocket’, wondering if her own son might also learn to ride on it too one day! And, from those these early childhood days herself, Elinor tells me about the Maindy Flyers Cycling Club and how it became a foundation for a cycling life that would take her to the very top.

Elinor and I talked about those tough training days when the winter weather is against you – as it is now, approaching December. Recalling one such day when she got a puncture, she tells me: ‘there I was, in the middle of nowhere and my hands were so cold that I couldn’t even twist the cap off the tyre. It was really terrible weather, and I felt battered by the cold and wind, and yes… the puncture. My hands were just too cold to change the tube. It was horrendous.’ It’s this spirit and determination within such a seemingly slightly built cyclist that helps to power her to Olympic glory and World Championships.

Lake CX333 – the choice of champions

Elinor came to us at Lake in 2023, having had some painful niggles and problems with her previous cycling shoes. When we spoke, she related how our Lake CX333 road cycling shoes feel almost custom made for her own unique feet, with the carbon mouldable heel counter and other key elements such as the panels at the back of the shoe to aid support and help to deliver power whilst giving the foot stability and comfort in equal measure.

Nol Van Loon – seeking adventure in pursuit of happiness

Ultimately, as Christmas draws closer, we all pause and reflect on the year and on life in general. We look for inspiration in life and in leisure. Meeting Nol van Loon in Spring this year, it was immediately obvious that here was a person with a burning heart that sought adventure and happiness, all wrapped up into one gift that we often take for granted – life, and the freedom that cycling offers.  

Describing himself as a ‘troubled teenager’, our chat revealed that he was simply a young man on a journey, building a character that is filled with strength and determination; and it’s this inner power that has helped him on many cycling and ultra exploits, such as the renowned “H’Ardennes” gravel bike tour In Belgium, which he and a colleague completed in recent years, riding and bike-hiking through atrocious weather.

MX169 – for rides that never end

Following our Spring chat, Nol then prepared for and competed in the arduous and legendary Silk Road Race, through the deserts of Kyrgyzstan during the summer, where he endured 1,900 kilometres of solitary bikepacking through intense heat, riding through some of the most beautiful and wild landscapes in the world.

Looking after his feet on this trip, Nol used our MX169 off-road adventure shoe. The MX169 is all about utility, durability, foot protection and an even more sure-footed grip with our ultra-comfortable rubber sole. Designed for all around mountain biking, commuting, enduro touring, adventure racing or any situation where “heavy use on your feet all day” support is needed. Our Enduro rubber sole is not only SPD compatible but is able to grip cage pedals, be hiked in comfort for hours and offers the most traction and grip off the bike of any mountain bike sole on the market. It also comes the ultimate in adjustability – laces – and could be the perfect adventure cycling shoe for you, this Christmas.

Fire in the soul and a thirst for life

To succeed in the challenges that life throws at us, and those cycling challenges that make us stronger, you need fire in the soul, strength in the mind and a little bit of crazy within you. When we spoke with Debby Frenken in the summer, it was immediately clear that this ball of energy has this and more, as the life force within her radiates outwardly with a passion that ensures that every second of every day is well spent. Started riding 13 years ago, initially on the mountain bike, with her love for nature, she now rides Mtb alongside a road bike and a gravel bike; with a preference currently for gravel as she continues to explore the world on 2-wheels. And explore it she does, as she enters numerous events throughout the year, juggling the competing demands of life, with her drive for adventure.

MX20G – for that epic gravel grind

Qualifying for the gravel bike worlds in the Netherlands during the late summer, Debbie loved pulling on the national jersey and representing the passion for cycling and for life that typifies this cycling-mad region of Europe.

Riding several of our shoe options in the various disciplines in which she now competes, it’s the MX20G which is her favourite cycling shoe, for its lightness, the fit and the comfort that they provide on the unrelenting gravel tracks. When we spoke, she outlined why they’re her number one choice:

‘They’re stylish and super-comfortable! Laces are good and ultra-adjustable. Sometimes with the BOA, in middle of ride, I need to pull them tighter. However, when I’m using laces, they stay better. Lots of people always ask me about laces when riding.’

Be inspired to find your own adventure this Christmas & New Year

We’re in a privileged position here at Lake. We get to meet with and chat to some of the most amazing people in the cycling world. Some of whom you’ll immediate recognise, and others that you may not have come across, and yet all of whom you can draw your own inspiration from – whatever your style of riding. Whether you’re seeking road cycling glory, heading into the bikepacking unknown, or challenging yourself within the growing gravel biking scene, Christmas is a time to pause and to reflect and to maybe think how you can make that journey more comfortable and enjoyable.

Whilst you’re thinking of the gifts for others this Christmas, don’t forget to treat yourself… or to add a pair of Lake cycling shoes onto your own Christmas list to St Nicholas! The New Year is getting closer every day, and it’s time to start planning your own inspirational cycling journey!