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The brand new QUOC x Restrap Sandal is the primary collaboration between the 2 British manufacturers, bringing collectively QUOC’s grippy sole with Restrap’s namesake retention system. They’re mild, surprisingly supportive, and boast an revolutionary design that permits them to connect to your seatpack. QUOC and Restrap say these are post-ride sandals for carrying round camp, however may they be one thing extra? Discover our preliminary impressions on this overview…
The most recent intriguing collaboration from across the biking world brings collectively two well-established British manufacturers, QUOC from London and Restrap from Yorkshire. They mixed their distinctive manufacturing experience to create a bit of footwear that’s in some way sudden and apparent on the similar time. The all-new QUOC x Restrap Sandal harmoniously blends QUOC’s outsole expertise and extremely regarded microfiber materials from its efficiency biking footwear with Restrap’s eponymous fastening and strap improvements that gave the model its begin when founder Nathan Hughes was making pedal straps out of his bed room again in 2010.
Aimed straight on the bikepacking market, QUOC and Restrap say they developed their new sandals because the “final post-ride slip-on.” I’ve had them for a short time to see how that declare holds up and whether or not or not they are often greater than that. Hiding in plain sight is a intelligent characteristic that helps resolve the issue of the place to pack your camp sandals whereas bikepacking, although the only is stiff sufficient that you may also think about simply using in them and skipping the necessity for a second shoe altogether. I’ve carried out precisely that on a number of longer rides on 75°F (24°C) days right here in sunny Colorado, and I wouldn’t hesitate to put on them on a low-key weekend bikepacking journey with flat pedals primarily based on my preliminary impressions, although it’s unclear how the soles would maintain up long-term when paired with a pedal with aggressive pins. Past simply carrying round camp, they’d even be perfect for river crossings and bikerafting.
Placing the QUOC x Restrap Sandals on for the primary time, I used to be struck by how pleasantly mushy the footbed feels. It’s tremendous comfortable. I’ve solely ever tried Crocs on—some traces simply weren’t meant to be crossed—however I’d say these sandals have a roughly related softness underfoot. Three Restrap-made straps present a comfortable match, and all of them can pivot, permitting them to adapt to the contours of your toes. The heel strap can flip absolutely upward, remodeling them into sliders when you should throw them on rapidly, equivalent to when nature calls in the course of the evening. Softness and snugness apart, I ought to be aware that the entrance left strap rivet created a little bit hotspot throughout my first few occasions carrying the sandals (with out socks), although it appears to be getting higher because the microfiber round it breaks in.
These new sandals are tremendous mild, too, with my pair of EU 47s weighing simply 470 grams on my scale with a little bit of Rocky Mountain dust on them. They’re not practically as mild because the ultra-minimalist sandals I sometimes pack for camp, however they provide way more safety with the identical glorious air flow. Plus, their rigidity lends itself much better to informal using and strolling round. They characteristic the very same gripply sole discovered on QUOC’s Lala Sliders, which works impressively nicely and affords nice traction when paired with the Restrap-designed retention system (be aware that in case you’re merely trying to find a post-ride slip-on, the Lala Sliders are priced at ~$50).
The product designers clearly had enjoyable with this undertaking, and the standout characteristic distinguishing the QUOC x Restrap Sandals from the rest I’ve seen earlier than is the hook-and-loop system designed to suit round your seat pack for hauling the sandals whereas using. It’s a deluxe dangling system, to make sure. It really works by rapidly disconnecting the center straps utilizing the D-hooks, lengthening the velcro on each sandals sufficient to suit round your seat pack, then connecting the sandals to one another and snugging them down.
Pictures from Sea Otter 2023 by Evan Christenson
In impact, the intelligent however considerably elaborate system the 2 manufacturers developed does the identical factor as a Voile strap or Restrap Quick Strap would do for a couple of dollars, albeit with an excellent deal extra inventive aptitude. It appears to be like to be a fairly safe system when run beneath your seatpack’s rear closure strap too. I’m not so certain that this bikepacking-specific system is purpose sufficient to benefit dashing out and shopping for these, however in case you occur to be out there for brand spanking new camp sandals and have been scratching your head making an attempt to determine the way you’d haul them, the QUOC x Restrap Sandals are a fairly compelling possibility.
Aesthetically, I’m nonetheless unsure what to make of them. I went with the Sand colorway however would most likely select Black if I may do it once more. The Sand is good sufficient however a bit daring in distinction with the black straps and sole. I obtained combined evaluations from the buddies I’ve requested for his or her ideas on the general look, probably the most brutal of which was that they seem like “some sort of medical brace.” I wouldn’t go practically that far, however perform might be successful out over type within the case of those sandals. And who is aware of, possibly hospital stylish is the following massive factor? Jokes apart, I’m not completely in love with the commercial look of the QUOC x Restrap Sandals, however they’re rising on me, and style is so private that it hardly issues what I believe.
This brief video affords a way of how the QUOC and Restrap see the sandals in use
Paying homage to the British heritage that each manufacturers share, the QUOC x Restrap Sandals are made within the UK, and so they include the UK-made value of $129.99 (£84.99 GBP/€99.99 EUR) to match. They’re accessible now in Black and Sand via Restrap, QUOC, and different chosen retailers across the globe. As with QUOC’s different footwear, they’re provided in a single width in EU sizes 38 to 47, a variety that’s a bit limiting for folk with further small and additional giant toes. For reference, I’ve semi-wide toes and these really feel about proper to me. I’m typically a 46 or 47, so I sized as much as 47 on this case, and so they’re simply barely lengthy sufficient.
- Value: $129.99/£84.99 GBP/€99.99 EUR
- Sizes Out there: EU 38-47
- Colours Out there: Black, Sand
- Precise Weight (Dimension 47): 470 grams (pair)
- Place of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Extra Particulars: Quoc.cc and Restrap.com
Execs
- Gentle and ethereal building
- Intelligent attachment system simplifies the packing course of
- Sole is stiff sufficient for informal using
- Tremendous mushy and cozy footbed feels nice
Cons
- Value is difficult to justify if any outdated camp sandal will do
- As with all sandals, these have inherent limitations
- Dimension vary is proscribed to EU 38-47
- Their look is sure to be divisive
Wrap Up
Impressed by the likes of our personal Cass Gilbert in his Bedrocks and different flat pedal/sandal aficionados in my circle, I’ve been warming as much as the concept of using in sandals when the climate and journey plans allow. I usually spent all day using across the metropolis in my Birkenstocks, so why not take that concept additional afield? For the sluggish and regular fashion of using that characterizes a lot of my day-to-day time on the bike, the QUOC x Restrap Sandals make some sense, regardless of not being marketed to take action. I wouldn’t put on them for something past commutes across the metropolis or a meandering weekend journey, as I believe you’d rapidly discover their restrict, particularly with grippy studs in your pedals, however I believe these have the potential to be “camp sandals plus.” For extra severe bikepacking, I’d be one thing with the long-term sturdiness of Bedrocks or Keens.
These sandals from QUOC and Restrap strike a singular steadiness of getting a mushy footbed, light-weight building, safe match, and inflexible sole. For those who’re trying to find a sturdy camp shoe that you just received’t have any excuse to not haul alongside in your subsequent journey, these are undoubtedly a contender. And there’s no purpose why their use needs to be restricted to camp, as they’re nice for strolling round, whether or not that’s in transit to the beginning of a visit someplace or simply round city on a day without work the bike. The QUOC x Restrap Sandals are nicely made and greater than fulfill their design intent. They arrive at a premium value and with a glance that received’t be for everybody, however I anticipate this primary collaboration being a success for the 2 manufacturers, and I’m excited to see the place it leads. Lastly, with apologies, I can’t assist however ask: QUOC and Restrap, how lengthy till we are able to get a burly SPD model?!
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