Lore is a project that will completely disrupt the market. Their shoe design is totally unconventional and seeks to redefine how a rider makes power on the bike.

The Lore One and Lore Two shoes have been in development for about four years and are just coming to the market in early 2024. The shoes are completely custom and based on a 3D scan of your foot. The shoes are made to order and are designed to have no toe spring or heel rise, allowing the foot to operate from a neutral stance [as though standing on a flat surface]. They capture motion at the ankle and across the top side of the foot with a unique “dorsal-orthotic” which makes the shoe far more connected to the rider than a conventional design.

For a deep dive, listen to my podast with Lore founder Stephan Drake and lead engineer Rob Horachek:

Lake has made excellent shoes for many years and there are several reasons I carry them in my shop:

• Lake is one of the only manufacturers to use real leather for their uppers. This means the shoe will conform to your foot over time and have that “glove like fit” that we all want.
• Lake has an extremely extensive array of size options, including 5 different lasts [the last primarily effects the volume of the shoe], 3 different widths in some lasts [normal, wide and extra wide] and sizes from 36-50 in half size increments [25 sizes in total]
• This means a total of over 200 shoe size options over the entire line, more than any other manufacturer by a significant margin
• Lake shoes have a wider toe box than most of other cycling shoes on the market, even in their narrowest Race Last. The most common source of foot pain and discomfort in my experience is shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot. Many cyclists are dealing with this and don’t know it, or don’t have a solution. Some don’t even know a solution exists.
• Lake makes shoes for road, MTB, CX and winter specific models, as well as models which are designed for high volume feet. Their product line up is extensive.
• Lake is one of the only manufacturers who offers split sizing for a small fee [$50], so riders who have different sized feet can finally get the right size shoe for each foot. This requires a custom order, which can take some time [3-4 months in some cases] but it can be a game changer for riders who have been struggling with sub-optimal fit for years.

Lake can be a solution for many riders who experience hot spot, pressure points or toe numbness in standard cycling shoes, and Lake is a fantastic option for riders with high volume or wide feet.

I can order any type of shoe Lake manufactures for my clients. I do have some stock in the store, however because of Lake’s extensive range of sizes, lasts and widths, it is not possible for me to carry everything in the physical store.

How long it takes: If a shoe is in stock in the US, I can have it in my shop in 3-5 business days.

How the process works: A client will come to see me, using this calendar to book an appointment. Look for the Lake Shoe Fitting option in the calendar [page down to see the options].

We will measure the clients L and R feet in both length and width. If I have an existing shoe in stock that we can use to confirm sizing, we will use to double check. These measurements are taking standing with riding socks on, to allow the foot to expand as it will during hard pedaling.

Then, I will place an order for the shoes. When they arrive, the client will return to try the shoes on. If the shoes don’t fit or you don’t like them, you are under no obligation to buy the shoes, and they will go into my stock of shoes at the shop.

If we are on the fence about what size will work best for you, I can order two sizes of shoes and the client can try both on. In this case I may stipulate that the client is obligated to buy one pair of shoes, even if we end up ordering a 3rd pair [this would be very unusual but is possible].

It is common for riders who think they need a wide shoe to try on a standard shoe in a Lake and find that if fits them just fine, because Lakes shoes have a wider toe box than most other shoes on the market. Sometimes, riders are using a longer shoe [too big] than needed in order to accommodate insufficient toe box width. When the toe box is wide enough, the size shoe needed may be shorter, and the athlete is surprised to find out their shoe size is actually 1 or more sizes smaller when the correct width shoe is chosen.

Lake Sizing Chart

Lake Sizing Instructions 

Bont makes shoes that are extremely stiff and effective at transferring power. They may be the stiffest shoes on the market. If you are looking for a shoe that has uncompromising power transfer in a relatively conventional design, Bont may be your choice. The “bath tub” style construction cups the foot in a structure of carbon fiber, and most models feature a three layer upper that is completely non-stretch [a few models have leather uppers].

Bont shoes are heat moldable although the amount of change that can be effected in this process is not massive and is location dependent. There are some creative solutions to helping a Bont shoe be more accommodative to localized areas of discomfort, I have personally explored many of these outcomes.

Bont shoes are available to order. I have a few pair in the shop but normally not enough to try on in most sizes. As an independent shop it is not possible for me to carry large stock. However Bont has an excellent sizing wizard on their site and I can confirm your measurement as well as discuss the nuances of the model options available.