Yesterday was the kind of day where the weather was beautiful across the country, making you wonder if you could even get by in a T-shirt during the day. Jas and Keita seem to have gone on an ATB ride, but I headed out for a road ride for the first time in a while. It was a day where a bib short and a light long-sleeve jersey were more than comfortable enough.
To go fast and far, hopping on a road bike is the best way. That said, it’s also a bad habit of mine that whenever I spot a bit of dirt, my senses for interesting roads kick in and I end up veering off onto a side path.
Still, the main reason I insisted on a road ride was because I wanted to take these shoes out for a spin.
The new road shoe from QUOC, the NIGHT, which so many have been waiting for, has finally arrived. From development to production, while facing various difficulties regarding design, materials used, and manufacturing methods, the shoes have finally been completed after QUOC sincerely faced and solved every issue to achieve the high quality they envisioned.
I immediately slipped my feet into the new shoes and traced my usual route. Based on yesterday's ride, I'd like to introduce their features.
◆Available starting from size 40
First off, the Night starts at size 40 (24.5cm), which is very welcome news for those who have struggled with finding the right shoe size. For those who were interested in Quoc shoes but gave up because they couldn't find their size, this is truly great news. In fact, I am one of the people who has benefited from this.
◆ Patented new Lock-Lace system
Led by the likes of Giro's Empire, the number of lace-up performance shoes has increased in recent years. The new Lock-Lace system developed by Quoc features a dual-lacing design at the center and end points. This not only achieves an outstanding fit but also reduces slippage and eliminates the stress of them loosening during a ride.
Lace-up shoes are of course more difficult to put on and take off, but the act of slipping them on and tightening each lace firmly is like a ritual to get into the right mindset before a ride. Above all, it is because of the lacing system that you get such an excellent fit that wraps securely around your feet.
◆ Microfiber and black leather uppers
The Night is available in two types of upper materials, and this time I chose the microfiber.
It's no exaggeration to say that leather is Quoc's identity, so the comfort of the leather model goes without saying. It fits very pleasantly and molds to the rider's foot shape the more you wear it, but personally, the microfiber also molded better than I imagined. While the leather only comes in black, the microfiber comes in three colors: black, white, and pink. I dared to choose the pink—a color I would never usually pick—because I thought it would go well with my navy jersey and bib shorts. The outfit is already decided in my head.
Microfiber is characterized by excellent breathability, lighter weight compared to leather, and ease of care. In contrast, the leather upper model will likely take on a deeper character as the years and miles go by. Care is the same as for regular leather shoes.
◆ Carbon composite sole
I've worn various road shoes, but before wearing the Night, I preferred Giro's nylon-soled shoes. I often go gravel riding, and the natural flex of nylon worked well for my riding style, which involves pushing the bike on gravel and riding long distances.
The Night uses a lightweight carbon composite material. Rather than the bone-jarring stiffness I feared with carbon, it has just enough flex to allow for natural pedaling while efficiently transferring power to the pedals. Also, the heel pad is available as a spare part, making it a safe choice for those who do gravel rides. Thanks to the ventilation that goes all the way through the inside of the shoe, I didn't feel any stuffiness during yesterday's ride.
Unlike its calm and composed Quoc-like appearance, the Night is a brand-new road shoe with hidden potential. It looks like it will be my go-to shoe starting this spring. The lineup currently features black leather, and black and pink microfiber.
The white color, about which we have received many inquiries, is scheduled to arrive soon. Please come and slip your feet into the ideal shoe that Quoc wanted to create. All sizes are available for trial in the store.