Whenever I head out for a weekend ride, especially when I plan to put in some serious pedal strokes, I always wear QUOC. I got my first pair back in 2013, so I've been with QUOC for about 10 years now. Setting aside the fact that we stock them in our shop, today I’d like to take the time to share exactly why they are so appealing.
Table of Contents
Why QUOC Chose Us
Fitting and Style
Two Main Types of Bindings
The Gran Tourer II: Perfect for Gravel Riding
The Mono II: Road Race Grade
Why QUOC Chose Us
Founder Quoc Pham was an avid cyclist himself, and he was long frustrated by the total lack of cycling shoes on the market that he could be satisfied with. While it was clear that clipless pedals and their associated shoes were beneficial for pedaling, they all looked like high-tech, race-focused sports equipment from a narrow, specialized world. As someone who also has an unending love for fashion, he felt that even if a ride’s destination was a trendy café or restaurant, there should be shoes you could wear with pride. I completely empathize with that sentiment.
For us, riding can be a sport, but it’s even more about "life," so we demand that kind of spec from our shoes as well. (For those of you who have made it to this blog, this might feel like common sense, but believe me, that really wasn't the case in the past.)
We always prioritize style. This is the point where QUOC and CIRCLES resonated and were drawn to each other. That was back in 2013—it's almost like a love story, isn't it?
Fitting and Style
Quoc Pham studied fashion at the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London, alongside the likes of Paul Smith and John Galliano. Later, in Northampton—the world-famous center of shoemaking—he studied "feet" anatomically, gaining the knowledge to carve lasts from master craftsmen while deeply understanding bones, pressure points, and blood flow.
You can easily imagine how delicate the feet are if you think about how it feels when even a tiny bit of sand gets inside your shoe. The footbed and sole bear your weight and transmit power to the pedals. The upper and lacing system must fit the myriad shapes of different feet. You can feel his thorough approach to designing everything correctly—as tools that encase such delicate organs and function properly as shoes—in every product. While their true value is proven out on a ride, I hope you’ll first come into the shop and try them on.
And just like bicycles, the function of shoes is simple and unchanging. While I've mentioned that these functions are fully realized, materials and styles continue to evolve with the times. I don't know what the future holds, but I know for certain that we will still need shoes, so QUOC promises to constantly challenge themselves to create looks and manufacturing processes that match the era. This includes their efforts toward reducing carbon emissions and waste.
Two Main Types of Bindings
The binding mechanism is the point where the bike and body connect to become one. QUOC supports the two main types of clipless pedals common in modern cycling. There are 2-bolt cleat shoes designed for frequent getting on and off, and for comfort when walking or running. Then there are 3-bolt cleat shoes for road racers, designed with an emphasis on lightness and pedaling efficiency for rides with fewer stops. You can choose the type that best fits your riding style at any given time.
The Gran Tourer II: Perfect for Gravel Riding
The QUOC Gran Tourer II (GT II) is a clipless shoe designed for gravel riding that is compatible with 2-bolt cleats.
Shoes that combine rigidity and suppleness
Even though they are called "gravel" shoes, their versatility is high, and they are the pair I reach for most often out of all the clipless shoes I own. I've worn several generations of QUOC shoes, and I see the consistently great walkability as a major advantage of choosing their footwear.
As mentioned earlier, the founder sought shoes that offer style and high comfort that you can show off even when you're off the bike. Contrary to the high rigidity required around the cleat, the upper and insole require a suppleness that gently wraps around the foot and absorbs the rider's movements. That balance is wonderful.
Reliable soles and a convenient dial adjustment system
The grippy sole is truly reliable; I even wear these when I have to carry my bike over rocky or muddy trails in the mountains. The lacing is a dial adjustment system, so you can even tweak the fit to match conditions while riding. Being able to put them on and take them off easily is also a system that proves its worth throughout a long day. I personally prefer the look of traditional shoelaces, but I don't think I can go back now.
Tough and luxurious uppers
The microfiber upper is tough, and care after a ride is easy even if they get covered in mud. You can scrub them clean.
The leather-like embossed texture has a luxurious feel—a sophisticated, adult quality that I love. Another thing: I have to take my hat off to their unique and daring broguing (ventilation hole) design. It really shows that he truly loves shoes.
That is why I believe the Gran Tourer II is the best gravel shoe option available right now.
【QUOC】
Gran Tourer Ⅱ
Color: Black, Black Gum, Pink, Sand
Size: EU 38 ~ 46
Price : ¥32,450 (tax included)
The Mono II: Road Race Grade
The QUOC Mono II is a clipless shoe designed for road racers, compatible with 3-bolt cleats.
Shoes that combine lightness with a meticulously pursued fit
In racing specs, lightness is always king, but the problem is that when you push for extreme lightness, something else often gets sacrificed. The Mono II is an incredibly light shoe, but equally well-pursued is the fit; its potential is frighteningly high. It’s very well-made.
Soles that keep you fresh even during long rides and bring out top performance
First, the insole. It’s amazing, so I have to tell you about it first.
While lightness is pushed to the limit, they’ve achieved an incredibly comfortable footbed by thoroughly engineering a custom insole. It’s like how a race car might seem devoid of comfort, but the cockpit is actually designed so that the driver can stay focused for long periods. After all, races are long.
The entire insole uses vibration-absorbing material, featuring a three-dimensional design that distributes pressure away from high-stress areas. Most impressively, you can choose from three height options for the arch support inserts, which is the heart of the shoe. This plays a crucial role in preventing fatigue in the plantar fascia. Custom-made shoes are the ultimate, but the fact that functions so close to that have been realized in this way makes me feel that this is a pair that truly reflects his ideals and philosophy. Furthermore, the recess for the ball of the foot, combined with the arch support, takes the fit to the next level.
By combining this insole with a carbon fiber outsole that possesses high rigidity and just the right amount of suppleness, these shoes ensure you don't get tired, even on long rides, and bring out the absolute best performance from the cyclist.
Two dial adjustment systems for an ideal feel
The quality of the microfiber upper, proven by the legendary Gran Tourer (the predecessor to the Gran Tourer II), is wonderful, and that same superior two-piece construction is carried over to the Mono II. The lacing system uses two dials, allowing you to easily adjust the fit while riding, meaning you can react instantly to ever-changing conditions. This is revolutionary; whether on a climb or a flat road, whether you're feeling fresh or tired, you can always maintain an ideal feel.
Elegant looks that defy racing specs
Even though it has pure racing specs everywhere you look, the "tactical" look is downplayed. That gap—the fact that they look so elegant—is a key point for me. The upper surface has a luxurious, leather-like texture, and combined with its flowing silhouette, it really elevates your overall style for the day. The British-style zigzag tongue is another part of its charm.
【QUOC】
Mono Ⅱ
Color: White, Black
Size: EU 38 ~ 46
Price : ¥43,450 (tax included)
With the mornings and evenings starting to feel chilly, the trees around the city are beginning to change their dress from green to yellow and red. By the time the trees in the mountains have finished their seasonal shift, we should be able to see them in all their vibrant glory. With that anticipation, I plan on wearing my QUOCs and spinning the pedals again next holiday. I’d like to share how that goes with you all, so please look forward to it.
