British shoe designer Quoc has announced two new additions to its range – the commuter-friendly Chelsea Boot and an updated version of its Gran Tourer shoe designed to appeal to fans of gravel riding.
Quoc has built a reputation for producing cycling shoes with a stylish twist. The brand’s designs range from its earliest retro leather shoes to today’s road and gravel offerings, which extend beyond sport and into commuting and urban riding.
Quoc Chelsea Boot
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The new Chelsea Boot is intended to solve the problem faced by commuters of needing to carry a separate pair of shoes to wear in the office, alongside your cycling shoes.
The boot’s practical appearance hides plenty of technical details. The outsole, with its chunky grip, encases a stiff midsole that Quoc says is ready for SPD cleats.
The sole itself is made from recycled cork-infused EVA rubber that Quoc claims is a much more sustainable material than standard EVA soles.
The block pattern on the sole’s tread is said to have been inspired by gravel tyre treads.
Quoc says the boot’s upper was crafted using a two-tone suede with a fully waxed front to add plenty of water resistance for wet commutes. The upper is finished with subtle 3M reflective dots around the heel.
The Chelsea is available now for pre-order in black and brown, with delivery starting from 13 May. It will retail at £180 / $250 / €220 and in sizes from EU41-47.
We have a pair of the Chelsea Boots in for testing and will report back on how they fare on the bike and around the office soon.
Quoc Gran Tourer 2
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Meanwhile, the new Gran Tourer 2 is intended to build on the success of the brand’s Gran Tourer shoe. That original shoe impressed our tester with its combination of water-resistant uppers, chunky sole and traditional laces that use Quoc’s double-lock lacing pattern.
Quoc says the new Gran Tourer 2 takes the core design and silhouette of the original and brings increased sole stiffness and a single dial adjuster in place of laces.
These two detail changes are intended to make the GT 2 more of a popular choice for gravel racing.
The Gran Tourer II is available now for pre-order in Classic Black, Black Gum and pink, as well the new Sand colourway, with delivery starting on 29 April. The shoe retails at £190 / $265 / €255.
The original Gran Tourer shoe has also been given a few subtle improvements, according to Quoc, and is available for £170 / $235 / €195.
We’ve got a pair of the Gran Tourer 2 shoes in the rather fetching Sand/pink colourway and will report back on how they fair out on the trails.