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review

Quoc Pham Tourer shoe

7
£150.00

VERDICT:

7
10
An elegant SPD shoe best suited to the well attired cyclist with narrow feet (and remember to buy them a size bigger)
Weight: 
844g
Contact: 
www.alwaysriding.co.uk

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The Quoc Pham Tourer shoe is a chunky, comfortable touring shoe, for the more narrow-footed among you.

There just aren't enough nice looking, traditional leather cycling shoes on the market in my opinion. Quoc Pham stuck their big toe into the shoe arena a few years ago with their pretty 'fixed' shoe, a very slim shoe designed for toe clips.

Very popular with those who enjoy picnics and coasting through the countryside dressed in tweed, at least in my imagination they are. The 'Fixed' shoe was small and narrow and depending on the width of your foot, I needed a size and a half to two sizes larger than what was said on the box for my feet to fit.

The Tourers aren't much different to the Fixed in terms of fit - you might only need to go up one size and if you haven't got delicate, slender feet then these pups are going to be snug. If the foot can be squeezed into these elegant cycling slippers then you will be rewarded with a well fitted shoe but it may take a couple of days wearing them around the house before you break them in.

In time the leather becomes very supple indeed and if you have Hobbit-like feet then the outside of these shoes even begins to appear a bit knobbly!

The soles are fairly chunky. I would have preferred to have seen the thick rubber sole with less of an aggressive tread but still maintaining the recessed cleat.

The laces do a good job of keeping your feet in when honking on the pedals but these aren't designed for overly zealous play.

The leather does a good job of keeping the elements from attacking your toes as long as you put a bit of care into looking after them. They aren't the warmest shoe - probably because you can't get a thick sock in there being such a snug fit - so maybe go up another half size if you are buying them for year round use.

The recessed cleat and moderately stiff sole allows you to walk fine in these without you looking like you walking like you have something clenched between your butt cheeks.

They are an elegant shoe which make your feet look petite, like a ballet dancer, which can look a little lost with anything but narrow trousers or shorts.

In summary, if these shoes fit then you then you are able to enjoy proper footwear, that look like shoes rather than football boots but also offer the benefits of being clipped in.

Verdict

An elegant SPD shoe best suited to the well attired cyclist with narrow feet (and remember to buy them a size bigger).

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Quoc Pham Tourer shoe

Size tested: 42

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Quoc Pham bicycle shoes are made for the discerning cyclist who doesn't lose substance when gaining significant style." - I definitely didn't lose any substance but possibly gained only a marginal amount in style.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Made from a precise three layer construction, a leather outer & lining with strong canvas maize inner, provides the requisite form, durability and comfort that make the Tourer shoes unique. The signature Quoc Pham reflective strip on the heel of each shoe provides safety and style and a chunky sole gives good grip and durability.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

These are beautifully manufactured shoes but essentially are quite basic.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Once they are bedded in they are super snug and feel like a second skin, a leathery one. The soles are pretty stiff and the chunky grip on the bottom make them surprisingly easy to walk in. I wouldn't recommend them for racing in but they perform well enough for a competitive commute.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

The leather, being soft and supple does require a bit of care to remain looking pretty; apart from that they are surprisingly robust.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

At first you feel like you are auditioning to be a Geisha but once the leather stretches they fit like a glove made for your foot. If your feet are particularly ugly in shape (bunions etc) maybe consider going up 1.5-2 sizes bigger and wear some thick socks because the shoe does hug the profile of your hobbit claw.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Made by a skilled craft person probably over a couple of days. You are wearing a piece of art. £150 is what a pair of good shoes cost. These are good shoes.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

There aren't a great deal of shoes available for those who want something traditional looking, but these are just the ticket althouh better suited for those with narrower feet.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

They look like shoes you can wear with tweed and you can bike and walk in them fine.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

They are on the narrow side and you do need to buy them a shoe size bigger than you normally would. Persevere with the stretching of the leather and once bedded in you are rewarded with a very snug shoe.

Did you enjoy using the product? Not at first, but that soon changed.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, they look great.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Only to those who appreciate good shoes.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 179  Weight: 79

I usually ride: Bike that I am testing at the time  My best bike is: Giant CFR pro, old school carbon converted to fixed. Kinesis Convert 2 geared work horse, Look KG241 skinny whippet

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed, bare back

 

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