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The excitement level for me to put these Quoc Gran Tourer II shoes to the test is certainly high. I have a friend who rides a lot! And by a lot, I mean that he easily goes over 10,000 miles each year. Most of which are mountain and gravel miles all over the world. He’s been sporting Quoc shoes for numerous years, and I wanted to see for myself what his affinity for the company and shoe is all about. Ironically, as I was researching and writing this piece, it turns out there has been a collaboration between Quoc and said friend, owner of Rodeo Adventure Labs (see story here).
From what I can tell, the specific branding or marketing for this shoes leans kind of towards the epic big gravel, mountain, and bike packing rider. And that’s totally fine, and something we all dream of doing. However, as much as I would love to tackle all those adventures, this thing called life some times gets in the way. With that said, I will enjoy my regular 20-40 mile rides, and snag the occasional epic journey up Colorado’s mountain passes and trails when I can.
Features
- Replaceable, fast-adjust single dial system
- Stiff, Nylon-composite midsole for race-ready performance
- Vibration-absorbing insole works perfectly with midsole for optimal density and cushioning
- GravelGrip™ custom-specced proprietary rubber compound outsole
- Hardwearing, easy-care upper made from splashproof microfibre
- Light, pared-down lining and quick-drying padding for reduced water intake
- One-way air holes for maximum ventilation and breathability
- 3M™ reflective logo and rear strip offering high visibility
- Fully recessed MTB/SPD cleat compatibility
- Weight: 342g i(EU42)
- Materials: Upper – Microfiber; Midboard – Nylon Composite; Sole – Rubber
How Does The Shoe Fit
First of all, the “review and use” of a shoe is a little limited. It’s a shoe after all, and fit is very personal when it comes to how comfortable they will fit for each individual. Comfort, fit, and performance will be the deciding factor for how successful this Quoc gravel shoe will be for me. That said, here is my take on the fit:
Quoc states that they fit “True to Size”. I did a quick search and found a handful of reviews and comments which didn’t provide me with any better insight. I decided to go slightly larger in this case, and selected a size 46. One reason being that I’ve noticed my aging feet are flattening a bit, and my older shoes in the 44 and 45 size range seem to be getting tighter and tighter. This is all brand and shoe model specific, and I know there are variations. That said, I am ok with a little extra room. They came in, and the fit was good. Yes, slightly more room in the toe box, but that works for me. If you have the option to try some on, that would be ideal of course.
Subsequently, I did have a little bit of a conundrum with one of the shoes. The cleat screws (all the same size) on the right shoe are somehow slightly protruding deeper into the sole and my footbed. It is enough for me to notice and I do want to do something about it. I have some older egg beater style pedals, and the cleats are definitely worn down. Throughout it all, the funny thing was that it was only on one side.
I will be purchasing some new SPD pedals and cleats soon, but in the meantime, I had to find a solution. I took a thin hard piece of plastic, and traced/cut the shape of the cleat to insert in between the cleat and shoes sole to provide a little bit of lift. And it worked like a charm. I’m not sure as why it only effected one shoe, since everything was the same including the length of the screws. I’m not too concerned with it, but wanted to point it out.
We recently traveled to Europe, and every place we stayed, there were shoe horns to aid in putting on shoes. That got me thinking, because I never use a shoe horn. It’s just not a thing in my world. That said, Quoc is a British company, and these Gran Tourer’s did prove to be a little more challenging to slide into. The dial does not open up as far as I would like for me to more easily put my foot into and out of. That might be something Quoc gives another thought down the line with the ability to open the dial more. For now, I just have to start using a shoe horn.
Out On The Roads, Trails, and Paths
My local rides out my door consist of a 20-30 mile loop in and around the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, or a trail system alongside several urban corridors and creeks. Nothing super fancy or technical, but it provides the very necessary crunch where tire meets gravel. The shoes performed quite well as it was fairly straightforward riding.
I do have the fortune of being able to go to a mountain cabin. There are miles upon miles of gravel roads, 4×4 jeep passes, and plenty of flowy single track. These are the perfect proving ground for my gravel bike and the Quoc Gran Tourer II shoes. The weather all summer has been hot and dry which is great to explore and not worry too much about the elements. I have mainly ridden up rideable terrain for the most part. Nothing too technical. In addition, my gearing is set up for the hills, so I can spin through the steeper bits of most climbs. When the gradient gets steep and technical beyond my abilities, I do have to jump off and hike-a-bike on occasion.
The shoe fits really solid while still being supple while riding. This in turn translates into a decent walking/hiking shoe when needed. The sole is thick enough to absorb gravel chunks and seems strong enough to last for quite a while, I’m thinking. The longest stretches of walking in these shoes were maybe 50-100 yards at the most. Grip and a snug fit gave me no issues even over terribly uncomfortable rocky terrain.
As we are approaching fall and the leaves are turning, I can’t wait to take these shoes into the mud, snow, and muck.
The Splashproof Microfibre leather upper is quite supple. The support and how it ties into the rubber bottom feels and looks quite seamless. Word has it that these mold to the riders foot with time, so the fit should be dialed in even more so as I ride more.
Warranty: Quoc has a one year warranty in place for the shoes with proof of purchase. That’s nice of course, if something does fail. Furthermore, the Dial Closure System has a Lifetime Warranty! The Dial System is a QUOC Technology and they will replace it if does not fulfil the lifetime warranty (except in cases of misuse or improper care).
Final Thoughts On The Quoc Gran Tourer II
Shoes are very personal, and I have mine figured out for running, hiking, and road riding. My gravel shoes have never quite hit that sweet. That is until now. I am truly enjoying the fit, comfort, and performance of my Gran Tourer II. Furthermore, I expect that the quality and durability will provide numerous seasons of enjoyment. I am a fan of good quality products. Time will tell, but my initial impressions of these shoes give me the confidence that they will last. For more information or to check out a pair for yourself, visit quoc.cc or rei.com.