Quoc Gran Tourer XC: Stylish and robust gravel shoe on test

The chic Quoc Gran Tourer XC is no newcomer to gravel riding and has already won us over on many a gravel dance floor

The two twist fasteners fit the shoe neatly to the feet, but are not ideal for handling

The material is robust and tension-resistant, but only slightly ventilated

The carbon sole is sufficiently stiff, but still maintains a certain level of comfort

The tread extends across the entire width, which is good for secure footing. However, the rubber is not too grippy

8 Images

Photo: Georg Grieshaber

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The Quoc Gran Tourer XC from London is a first-class gravel shoe for long tours. It is characterised by its stiff sole and outstanding comfort. But can it really fulfil all expectations in our test?

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If you're not already deeply rooted in the gravel scene, you might frown at the name Quoc. Although the label was founded in 2009 by Londoner Quoc Pham, the Englishmen have only really taken off with their stylish cycling shoes in recent years. The approach: the shoes should not only work well on the bike, but above all off the pedals and also score points with an extra portion of fashion.

This is the Quoc Gran Tourer XC

At the Grand Tourer XC This is the Londoner's top model, which is designed to transfer power to the pedals without loss thanks to its carbon composite sole. Unlike many other gravel shoes, the Quoc does not rely on a narrower sole profile, but has studs across the entire width of the sole, which ensures a reliable grip on the terrain - even if the rubber itself is not one of the grippiest. The centre area of the sole is also rubberised, which not only protects the carbon, but also prevents you from slipping on the pedal when unclicked.

More gravel shoes in the test

Fizik Vento Ferox Carbon >> e.g. available here
Mavic Cosmic Boa SPD >> e.g. available here
Northwave Razer >> e.g. available here
Scott Gravel Pro >> e.g. available here
Shimano RX801 >> e.g. available here
Specialised Recon 1.0 >> e.g. available here
Specialised S-Works Recon
Suplest XC/Gravel Performance

>> All gravel shoes from the test at a glance

Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe tread extends across the entire width, which is good for secure footing. However, the rubber is not too grippy

Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe rubber coating also extends over the centre area of the shoe and increases stability when you click out of the pedal

The seamless microfibre upper has all-round TPU protection for reduced wear and increased foot protection. Small pores are intended to hint at a ventilation function - but in fact hardly any gusts of wind find their way through the small openings.

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Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe upper material is protected all around by a TPU coating. The ventilation in the shoe is rather poor

Proven adjustment system of the Gravel shoe

The shoe is held in place by two dials, which, unlike the top Boa dials on the Shimano RX801, can only be fine-tuned in one direction and are unfortunately not very grippy.

Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe dials are made in-house and ensure good customisability. However, the Boa fasteners are superior in terms of handling

The insole is particularly stable and of high quality in comparison and can be neatly adapted to the arch of the foot thanks to various wedges and offers additional support. We got on best with the medium support. A small drawback in terms of handling: the adhesive strip tears when changing the inserts - a Velcro strap would have been a clever solution here.

The stable insole also supports the arch of the foot. The support can be customised to your own feet using three different wedges

Photo: Georg GrieshaberThe stable insole also supports the arch of the foot. The support can be customised to your own feet using three different wedges

The Quoc fits well on normal width feet, but is rather short. Very narrow feet may experience creasing in the tongue area. Caution: If you have low ankles, the shoe may pinch slightly due to its somewhat hard edge.

Photo: Georg GrieshaberAt the ankle area, the material is somewhat hard and bulging. For some riders, this causes pressure points

The Quoc could have secured additional points with a rubber coating in the heel area, which is unfortunately missing. However, the grip is still good, both when pedalling and running. The Quoc is somewhat limited in terms of size: The Grand Tourer XC is only available from size 38 to 47, half sizes are not available.

The Quoc Gran Tourer is more of a comfortable tourer than an ultra-stiff racer

Info & price of the Quoc Gran Tourer XC

Price275 Euro >> at Alltricks or Decathlon available
Weight (size 46): 777 grams
Sizes: 38-47
Sole / StiffnessCarbon composite / 294 N/mm
Made inVietnam
Equipmentwide tread; Quoc twist lock; microfibre upper with all-round TPU protection; customisable insole; longer replacement lugs
FitMedium-wide to narrow, slightly shorter

Photo: Georg GrieshaberHigh comfort, reasonable power transmission and a wide profile - the Quoc is a solid all-rounder for gravel and XC, but does not achieve top marks in any category

Test grade & conclusion

Photo: TOURThe Quoc Gran Tourer is a good performer both on the pedals and on pushing sections - not the lightest in comparison

With the Gran Tourer XC, Quoc has a stylish and robust cycling shoe in its range that works well on both gravel bikes and MTBs. The carbon sole transfers power to the pedals, but is also comfortable enough for long tours. The wide profile provides stability but only moderate grip. With feet of normal width, the Quoc is the right choice and offers good grip thanks to the solid fastening.

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