[ad_1]
rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Yes, it looks mostly like a simple colorway collaboration, but the new MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC collab actually completely transforms the look & feel of these popular gravel bike shoes. If you don’t believe me, just scroll down and look at the pair of Quocs I’ve been riding recently.
The unique MAAP styling leads to a significantly revised upper and new protection design. And it results in a completely different look – plus honestly, more performance-looking vibes – to an already high-performing pair of carbon-soled gravel & cross-country shoes.
And QUOC says this is only the first limited edition collaboration with MAAP. So, we expect to see more reimaginings of their shoes going forward…
MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC gravel shoe collaboration
QUOC calls the limited edition MAAP Gran Tourer XC a “fresh interpretation” of their top performance off-road shoes, letting the Australian cycling apparel brand’s design aesthetic reimagine QUOC’s technical shoes. The new look was ostensibly created to align with the MAAP Fog colorway of their latest Alt_Road apparel range.
At first glance, I thought it was just a special edition color. But really, it’s a pretty major upper redesign, while keeping the core Gran Tourer XC details.
“Collaborating with MAAP has been a gratifying and rewarding process. Much more than creating a new colourway—it was about innovating, iterating and delivering something truly special that resonates with our shared audiences. The complementary design and values of both brands are reflected in every detail, and what ultimately comes across is our shared passion for pushing the boundaries of cycling.”
– Quoc Pham, QUOC founder and designer
So what’s new?
Let’s start with what carries over. The new gravel shoe collab starts with the same core tough synthetic microfiber upper, traditional symmetric tongue design, 2x wire retention dials, and the same stiff carbon composite sole.
MAAP’s (Movement Art Alternative Paths) version first shakes that sole up by co-molding their rubber tread lugs from a slightly translucent TPU material that lets some of the colors show through.
An all-new upper
The MAAP x QUOC upper is also completely different than the standard Gran Tourer XC. Here you get a microfiber with a grid texture molded into its surface, and only featuring ventilation openings on the top of the toe, inside the instep, and on the tongue. Those vent perforations cover much less area than the standard QUOC shoe, but are much bigger holes.
The tongue is also now made of a different lightweight TPU material with small vertical ribs meant to mold to the rider’s foot, and again bigger diameter ventilation perforations revealing a mesh backing.
New details from heel to toe!
The MAAP shoes also add a new accent color webbing pull tab at the heel.
There’s also an all-new protection design. From the start, QUOC’s Gran Tourer shoes have featured a full 360° wrap-around TPU protection layer that prevented scrapes (mostly) but also helped keep water out. MAAP’s design pares that protection back to just the greater heel and toe areas (realistically, where it is most needed), and creates a completely different look in the process.
MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC gravel shoe – Pricing, options & availability
The new MAAP x QUOC Gran Tourer XC gravel shoes come in just this one Fog color, and in whole EU sizes 38-47. You can pick them up either from QUOC or MAAP online or at their respective retailers for $330, 295€, or $480 Australian dollarydoos.
And they have a claimed weight of 327g (per shoe, size 42), exactly the same QUOC now states for their standard Gran Tourer XC, too
More new 2025 QUOC colors, coming soon. Shhh!
In addition to the new MAAP-edition shoes, QUOC is adding a few more new looks to their gravel line-up coming very soon, ready for spring. Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed these same Gran Tourer XCs in the new Cannondale Topstone story in a colorway that’s kind of the opposite low-key look that we saw on the lace-ups we tested last year.
QOUC has been teasing new season updates on social media that land on Wednesday. So, keep your eyes peeled for these gravel shoes and a few more very soon.
QUOC.cc or MAAP.cc
[ad_2]
Source link
