Quoc M Pro Lace review – pro-level vibes but with laces

The Quoc M Pro Lace shoes are stiff yet surprisingly comfortable for longer rides with acceptable ventilation on hotter days, and they offer pro-level vibes balanced by a classic lace-up aesthetic. Yes, they are a pretty penny – not quite at the top of the premium ladder, in fairness – but you get superb build quality and a wide selection of arch supports. Plus, let’s be honest, they look very nice.

Laces are officially back in fashion. Hurrah! Just when you thought everything had gone high-tech with Boa dials and metal wires, we’re embracing the old school once more. And with good reason: laces are simple, comfortable and easy to do up. I think they look classier too.

Quoc says the M Pro Lace shoes feature an aerodynamic profile for reduced drag, and while I obviously can’t say it’s made any difference to my Strava times, they do look very slippery. They have that ribbed aesthetic that you see on a lot of aero gear.

The TPU toe panels should also keep them looking fresh for longer too. Quoc says they, “resist scuffs and scrapes, painting pristine race-day aesthetics all season.”

I concur: of all the white cycling shoes I’ve owned, these are probably the first pair that still look good after several months. I’ve ridden these in all weathers, including some very nasty wet and muddy days, prior to the crazy British summer we just had.

Personally, I’ve always liked laces, though I do also own several pairs of cycling shoes with dials. I find laces more comfortable, but dials are definitely easier and more convenient in certain scenarios – when you’re commuting, for instance. They can also be adjusted on the move, unlike laces, but I’ve rarely ever found the need to do that.

Quoc has several options at the top of its road shoe range: the M3 Air, the M3 Pro and the laces only M Pro Lace that’s on test here. They share similarities: a unidirectional carbon fibre sole (rated 5/5 for stiffness by Quoc), and a TPU laminated mesh upper. Quoc says they’re all suitable for road racing and indoor or outdoor training. The M3 Air has superior ventilation, but the two Pro options are better suited to year-round riding.

Size, weight and fit

Sizes range from an EU38 to an EU47. Cleat holes are a standard 3-bolt affair, and there are no cleats included with the shoes, but you do get three different height arch supports so you can choose one to suit your feet.

Weight is claimed at 245g per shoe in a EU42 (or 490g for a pair). Our test pair came in at 566g for an EU45, which is pretty light, though not in the same league as something like the Nimbl Exceed Ultimate Glide shoes.

In terms of fit, the M Pro Lace are like most Quoc shoes I’ve worn in the past. They’re definitely on the slimmer side, but they’re not super narrow. There’s a decent amount of room in the far end of the shoe – more height than width, I might add – and I found that I had to tighten the laces more or less to the maximum to get my long and slim feet to feel secure.

The elasticated piece across the top of the shoe does help to tidy excessive lace length away to prevent flapping as you ride.

Despite my toes feeling ever so slightly loose, thankfully the sculpted heel cup is super supportive which helped to keep my feet firmly in place, even when pushing hard out of the saddle.

Overall, the M Pro Lace are very lovely to wear, even on long rides. The carbon sole is firm, sure, but I don’t think it’s in the slightest bit uncomfortable, and that high level of stiffness does mean you get a very positive, direct feel at the pedals.

The insoles are designed to dampen vibration, and the different arch supports are, in my opinion, an essential feature. As someone who has very high arches, I need all the help I can get, otherwise things can get quite uncomfortable.

That being said, while the insoles are better than some, I still don’t think they are great. They are definitely on the thin and flimsy side, and I ended up swapping them out for a pair of Bontrager inForm BioDynamic Insoles (with a high arch) that I’ve owned for several years. This made a significant improvement to overall comfort, with a better fit around the end of the feet thanks to the thicker, superior cushioning.

The M Pro Lace should serve as all year round shoes. They feature a modicum of ventilation on the top of each shoe, and a vent at the front of the sole. I mostly tested them throughout the summer, when temperatures were generally in the late 20s to early 30s, but prior to the heatwave, I also experienced some cooler, wet weather (around 15 degrees, I’d say). No matter the temperature, my feet felt comfortable at all times.

Sure, the higher ventilation of the M3 Air would have been preferable in 35 degree heat, but at that point I’m just a huge blob of horrible sweat, so it’s not my feet that are making me uncomfortable… If you can only afford to splurge a decent amount of cash on one pair of racing shoes to wear pretty much year-round, then the M Pro Lace will better fit the bill.

Finally, they are reasonably comfortable to walk in – we’re talking cafe stop level of movement here, mind, not a hike across town. The large rubber heel on the underside of the sole helps to bring up the height in line with the higher front in combination with the cleats.

Value

I’m not sure when cycling shoes got so expensive, but apparently that’s where we are now. According to the road.cc reviews section, the £290 price tag of these Quoc M Pro Lace shoes isn’t actually at the top end, as there are many other pricier options – significantly so in some instances.

George recently tested the Gaerne G.Zephyr shoes which come in at slightly less (£270). They’re also stiff, slim and comfortable, but they have a bit more ventilation, so could be a better option on hot days. Or alternatively there’s the aforementioned Quoc M3 Air, which are slightly pricer at £320.

If you like the look of the Quoc shoes, and you like laces, another option might be the Quoc Escape Road Lace Shoes, which I also owned for a couple of years before I received the M3 Pro Lace for testing. Visually, they’re very similar, but they aren’t in the same ball park in terms of performance. The fit isn’t quite as comfortable or supportive, they’re not as stiff, and nor are they anywhere as light. But for more casual riding, and for a lot less cash (£140), they are a great alternative.

> Best road cycling shoes — get some light, stiff kicks to help you go faster on the bike

Conclusion

The Quoc M3 Pro Lace are high performance cycling shoes that also happen to be very comfortable, and they should work well all year round. They’re pretty expensive, but given their resistance to wear and muck, they should last you a long time.