Quoc GT XC Lace Shoes Balance Classic Gran Tourer Style & Race Carbon Stiffness: Review
This latest evolution Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace is something of a ‘greatest hits’ of Quoc gravel bike shoes. Pairing the race-ready carbon sole of their GT XC and the adventure-proof laces of the original Gran Tourer – the new GT XC is the cheaper, lighter, and simpler off-road racing shoe. I’ve spent the last two months riding the new GT XC Lace shoes hard out of a wet winter into a drier spring. And they’ve become one of my go-to gravel, all-road, and cross-country favorites.
Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace carbon gravel racing shoes
What’s to say about the new Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace?
It’s a lace-up Gran Tourer Lace, so you get that classic look. Plus, the tough Quoc synthetic microfiber upper backed by a mesh inner layer with plenty of small perforations for reasonable breathability. The shoes are built to be quite rugged and protected from the elements. So there’s also the full warp-around TPU band that also makes them rather water-resistant when you step into a muddy puddle.
We see you Peppa.
But it’s also a GT XC shoe, so you get the much stiffer carbon-reinforced composite sole for improved pedaling efficiency. Yet with a knobby TPU AL_TERRAIN mountain bike sole that is grippy-enough without being too soft to wear quickly. And then it adds replaceable toe spikes to give extra bite without wearing out the regular toe lugs.
Tech details
The new Gran Tourer XC Lace get a “carbon composite outsole and TPU tread”, plus “replaceable TPU spikes for excellent grip on and off the bike”.
They also features Quoc’s “double lock, anti-slip” lacing pattern. These double lace eyelets at the top and bottom of the shoe allow you to independently adjust how tight the shoes are, with the laces staying in place without having to overtighten at your final bow. Inside a slightly-padded, gusseted tongue even distributes that pressure, and padded inserts around the top of the heel ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
The shoes are 2-bolt SPD MTB cleat compatible with a pretty standard range of adjustment, and come with 3 heights of arch support inserts for the dense foam insoles.
Quoc claims a weight of 320g per shoe (size 42, likely without insoles since brands compete on weight.) My size 43s weigh a bit more than that at 341g with insoles, the low arch support insert, plus a tiny bit of dirt but a shade less TPU that I’ve scraped off the toe spikes from plenty of rocky bad weather early season hike-a-bikes.
Riding Review
Having ridden a lot in the original Gran Tourers (now Lace), I’ve gone hard from the start on the new Gran Tourer XC Lace, riding a lot of tough winter conditions with the new shoes to quickly see how they will stand up to regular use and abuse.
Trust me, it wasn’t all sunshine and serious post-ride product discussions.
And I can happily say they’ve matched my expectations.
I was a little hesitant at first, as the 2nd generation dial-adjust Gran Tourer II changed the side cut of the (black) inner liner slightly further behind the tongue creating an annoying pressure point for me.
But the edge of that liner is now smaller, thinner & smoother (vs. the GTII, Escape Off-Road, and to a lesser extent the GTXC), and I happily have no more pressure issues.
The TPU sole is not ultra-soft and sticky. But it offers plenty of traction on all but the wettest slippery rocks. The standard short replaceable plastic toe spikes have thankfully taken the brunt of my rocky hiking in the shoes. (See Tech Details photo, above.)
But I would probably recommend picking up an extra set of spikes when you buy the shoes, if you do a lot of hike-a-bike. Thankfully, Quoc’s $21 / 19€ spike kit includes both short & tall spikes, so they’ll likely last several seasons.
What would I change?
My only caveat to the shoes is that the wrap-around TPU protection band is thin. And the rubber toe bumper is a bit lower than the original Gran Tourer. I use my XC & gravel shoes for quite a lot of gnarly mountain biking trails. And I definitely end up carrying my bike up rocky crap, too.
So, inevitably I’m gonna kick my toes against something hard and unyielding. And I really would love to have a full-height toe bumper. Not just on these but on all gravel and XC race shoes.
Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace – Pricing, options & availability
The new Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace gravel racing shoes retail for £220 / $290 / 260€. Available now direct from Quoc. The new lace-up carbon-soled gravel & cross-country shoes come in whole EU sizes 38-47.
And as of yet, only in this single Chalk colorway. That’s a light tan upper, off-white sole and wrap-around protection, and low-key wine purple detailing that is slightly reflective.
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