Bont Vaypor XC or Lake MX331 cross

[CXrider]

What are the best shoes for cyclocross? Bont Vaypor XC or Lake MX331 cross?

[the_marsbar]

You are not considering other brands? I've been happy with my S-Works MTB shoes. However, I'd like to try the Bonts.

[voodoojar]

For me the Bont's are way too stiff for a cross shoe. I cannot run in them at all. I loved my set of Lake MX400 but never tried the MX331. Out of all the mtb shoes I've ever tried for cross S-works are my favorite.

[CXTony]

I haven't seen much review of the Vaypor XC yet, but I know some folks who tried the earlier Bont MTB shoes and said they were much too stiff for walking/running. Might be worth someone getting their hands on a set to let us know for sure.
Since you are in the market for high-end shoes, have you looked into Sidi? The Spider, Dragon, and Drako are all very nice (although the Drako is again very stiff). Sidi even markets the Spider as a CX shoe

[CXrider]

Maybe a late reply but here it is.
I went with the Lake's because I could get them for a very good price.
I've been using them now for a weeks and I need to say. They're awesome!!
The sole is very stiff but I find them still very comfortable for running.

[gummee]

Maybe a late reply but here it is.
I went with the Lake's because I could get them for a very good price.
I've been using them now for a weeks and I need to say. They're awesome!!
The sole is very stiff but I find them still very comfortable for running.

I'll second that motion.

Of all the shoes I've worn over the last 20 years, these MX331CX shoes have to be about the most comfortable. ...that includes a few pairs of Sidis!

M

[arthurf]

The Bont's are just for XC and not CX. I've got a set for the mtb and they are awkward to walk around the car park in but their power transfer on a bike is amazing.

[bfno]

Any recommendations here for some good <$300 CX shoes? Bont make some cheaper equivalents to the Vaypor XC's and spesh have various lower level shoes. Thoughts?

[commendatore]

I snagged my lake mx331 (non-cx) model for around $150? And I'm quite pleased with them. All my races so far have been mostly grass so I'm not missing the various cleat arrangements of the cx model and I couldn't pass for the price.

[shadwell]

Bont are hopeless for off road..

Far too stiff to run in, and even when you try (like running in clogs), the crappy rubber pads which are supposed to be tread simply either chunk of peel right off the sole...

On the bright side once al the grip falls off.. (3 rides should do it).. you can swao then as road shoes... which they are very good for....

I use Sidi Spider SRS for runny courses (as they are flexible), and Shimano XC70 for drier courses, (stiffer but still acceptable to run in )...