'We are allowed to like pretty things' - Quoc's Gran Tourer XC shoes deliver fashion over function, and that is not a bad thing

Humility is a key part of transparency, so I’ll start with a confession: I’m very picky about how my cycling shoes look.

I’ve long suspected I’m a bit of a sneakerhead when it comes to bike footwear, though I never really examined why until I began digging deeper into cycling shoes as a journalist. Before that, I simply bought what fit and, whenever possible, chose white, without ever articulating a solid reason.

Once I started scrutinising shoes professionally, I realised just how much aesthetics mattered to me. I’d catch myself glancing down mid-ride, oddly preoccupied with the shoes spinning beneath me, feeling surprisingly strong opinions about what I saw.

That fixation finally felt justified when I began testing Quoc’s gravel and mountain bike race model, the Gran Tourer XC. That’s not to downplay performance; power transfer and comfort are fundamental aspects of a cycling shoe. But thankfully, the Gran Tourer XC delivered as a performance shoe, and not just a good-looking shoe.

Still, I can’t escape the central takeaway I keep returning to: I think it’s incredibly beautiful. And in this case, that feels worth leading with. Now, onto the gritty details.

Specs

• Use case: Gravel racing, MTB XCO and Marathon Racing, and Ultra-distance
• Materials: Carbon composite and TPU sole with a microfiber upper
• Closure: Proprietary dials
• Cleat compatibility: two bolt
• Weight: 327 grams
• MSRP: $ 310 USD/ £ 240 UK/ € 275 Euro

In use

The Quoc Gran Tourer XC is the newest iteration of Quoc’s long-running Gran Tour shoe line. That model preceded most people’s relationship with the Quoc brand, but for many bike packers and gravel adventure riders from the early days of the gravel wave – read 2020 – the shoe was a very popular do-it-all shoe.

At its origin, the Gran Tourer prioritised adventure capacity over high performance, with big rubber lugs for hiking and a robust construction that offered a mix of comfort and support at the expense of breathability and weight savings.

In the intervening five years, the demands of a gravel shoe have changed significantly, and the Gran Tourer XC is the brand's answer to those changes, with some pretty significant influences from its innovations on the road side.

Quoc still has the Grand Tourer II available with its more classical configuration. That shoe's sole has a bit more flex and a more robust 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 overall construction.

The Gran Tourer XC is available in both a laced version and one featuring Quoc’s proprietary dials. The upper is on the robust side of the spectrum, but it is flexible enough to wrap around a variety of foot shapes. There are also several inserts to accommodate high, low or neutral arches. Additionally, the heel is tall enough to provide a secure heel cup, but doesn’t run so high that it cuts into my ankle, which is a problem I run into fairly frequently.

In terms of colours and look, the Gran Tourer XC is available in six colourways, and I tested the sand and pink option. The black-and-white rubber sole, in particular, is a bold swing that frames the upper's light colour. Altogether, that colour scheme is the one that put this shoe’s fashionable quality to the forefront of my takeaways.

Beyond the construction and the look, the Quoc Gran Tourer XC is a rock-solid performance gravel race shoe. Finding the right balance of structure and breathability for the upper of a gravel shoe is tricky. I have found that to be a real challenge in the off-road shoe market, but Quoc does a really great job making it very comfortable and decently breathable.

It might not be the best Arizona summer shoe, for instance, but for now it pairs very well with a variety of socks, all while offering a nice, roomy toe box and a snug 360-degree fit when pedalling.

Stiffness is also a line the Gran Tourer XC walks deftly along, with a stiff sole that doesn't cause discomfort on bumpy roads and trails. It isn’t the most still off-road shoe I have used, but then again, for everyday riding, I find that to be a pro, not a con. For part of my testing, I paired the shoes with the Wolf Tooth DEL gravel pedals, which made the overall system feel more connected to the pedals.

Value & Verdict

Unfortunately for the consumer, the $310 USD price tag struck me as a pretty good deal. Yes, at $310 it's still an expensive shoe, especially given that I’ve found cycling shoes tend to have a two-year lifespan at most with consistent riding. But the shoe market, in particular, has become expensive fairly quickly.

Nevertheless, the Gran Tourer is a premium shoe with premium, high-fashion looks. In that regard, it still feels like solid value.

All things considered, I’ve loved the Quoc Gran Tourer XC, and there’s a strong likelihood they’ll remain my gravel race shoe until something truly better comes along. For racers, whether you’re lining up for gravel or cross-country mountain bike events, this is a standout option at a price that, while high, feels justified.