Humility is a key a part of transparency, so I’ll begin with a confession: I’m very choosy about how my biking sneakers look.
I’ve lengthy suspected I’m a little bit of a sneakerhead on the subject of bike footwear, although I by no means actually examined why till I started digging deeper into biking sneakers as a journalist. Earlier than that, I merely purchased what match and, at any time when attainable, selected white, with out ever articulating a stable motive.
As soon as I began scrutinising sneakers professionally, I realised simply how a lot aesthetics mattered to me. I’d catch myself glancing down mid-ride, oddly preoccupied with the sneakers spinning beneath me, feeling surprisingly sturdy opinions about what I noticed.
That fixation lastly felt justified after I started testing Quoc’s gravel and mountain bike race mannequin, the Gran Tourer XC. That’s to not downplay efficiency; energy switch and luxury are basic features of a biking shoe. However fortunately, the Gran Tourer XC delivered as a efficiency shoe, and never only a handsome shoe.
Nonetheless, I can’t escape the central takeaway I preserve returning to: I believe it’s extremely stunning. And on this case, that feels value main with. Now, onto the gritty particulars.
Specs
- Use case: Gravel racing, MTB XCO and Marathon Racing, and Extremely-distance
- Supplies: Carbon composite and TPU sole with a microfiber higher
- Closure: Proprietary dials
- Cleat compatibility: two bolt
- Weight: 327 grams
- MSRP: $ 310 USD/ £ 240 UK/ € 275 Euro
In use
(Picture credit score: Logan Jones-Wilkins)
The Quoc Gran Tourer XC is the latest iteration of Quoc’s long-running Gran Tour shoe line. That mannequin preceded most individuals’s relationship with the Quoc model, however for a lot of bike packers and gravel journey riders from the early days of the gravel wave – learn 2020 – the shoe was a extremely popular do-it-all shoe.
At its origin, the Gran Tourer prioritised journey capability over excessive efficiency, with large rubber lugs for mountain climbing and a strong development that provided a mixture of consolation and help on the expense of breathability and weight financial savings.
Within the intervening 5 years, the calls for of a gravel shoe have modified considerably, and the Gran Tourer XC is the model’s reply to these modifications, with some fairly vital influences from its improvements on the highway facet.
Quoc nonetheless has the Grand Tourer II obtainable with its extra classical configuration. That shoe’s sole has a bit extra flex and a extra strong rubber tread. The Gran Tourer XC takes the adventurous spirit of that shoe and pairs it with a stiffer carbon-composite sole and a lighter general development.
The Gran Tourer XC is accessible in each a laced model and one that includes Quoc’s proprietary dials. The higher is on the strong facet of the spectrum, however it’s versatile sufficient to wrap round a wide range of foot shapes. There are additionally a number of inserts to accommodate excessive, low or impartial arches. Moreover, the heel is tall sufficient to offer a safe heel cup, however doesn’t run so excessive that it cuts into my ankle, which is an issue I run into pretty continuously.
(Picture credit score: Logan Jones-Wilkins)
By way of colors and look, the Gran Tourer XC is accessible in six colourways, and I examined the sand and pink possibility. The black-and-white rubber sole, specifically, is a daring swing that frames the higher’s mild color. Altogether, that color scheme is the one which put this shoe’s modern high quality to the forefront of my takeaways.
Past the development and the look, the Quoc Gran Tourer XC is a rock-solid efficiency gravel race shoe. Discovering the precise stability of construction and breathability for the higher of a gravel shoe is difficult. I’ve discovered that to be an actual problem within the off-road shoe market, however Quoc does a extremely nice job making it very comfy and decently breathable.
It may not be the most effective Arizona summer time shoe, as an illustration, however for now it pairs very properly with a wide range of socks, all whereas providing a pleasant, roomy toe field and a comfortable 360-degree match when pedalling.
Stiffness can also be a line the Gran Tourer XC walks deftly alongside, with a stiff sole that does not trigger discomfort on bumpy roads and trails. It isn’t probably the most nonetheless off-road shoe I’ve used, however then once more, for on a regular basis using, I discover that to be a professional, not a con. For a part of my testing, I paired the sneakers with the Wolf Tooth DEL gravel pedals, which made the general system really feel extra linked to the pedals.
Worth & Verdict
(Picture credit score: Logan Jones-Wilkins)
Sadly for the buyer, the $310 USD price ticket struck me as a reasonably whole lot. Sure, at $310 it is nonetheless an costly shoe, particularly on condition that I’ve discovered biking sneakers are likely to have a two-year lifespan at most with constant using. However the shoe market, specifically, has develop into costly pretty rapidly.
However, the Gran Tourer is a premium shoe with premium, high-fashion seems to be. In that regard, it nonetheless appears like stable worth.
All issues thought of, I’ve liked the Quoc Gran Tourer XC, and there’s a powerful chance they’ll stay my gravel race shoe till one thing really higher comes alongside. For racers, whether or not you’re lining up for gravel or cross-country mountain bike occasions, this can be a standout possibility at a worth that, whereas excessive, feels justified.