OK, so the new SMITH x QUOC Strata Collection is really just a limited edition collaboration between the 61-year-old eyewear & helmet maker and the 17-year-old shoe company. But to gravel fans of either brand – of which there are plenty – it’s also a nice, rare chance to get a pair of Smith-branded gravel shoes or a set of Quoc-labelled sunglasses and a new helmet.
Plus, Quoc also has a sneaky habit of slipping in new tech when they introduce a new collab project…
SMITH x QUOC limited edition Strata Collection collaboration
The two brands describe a shared love of riding gravel, and Strata is their way to showcase some “sandstone sediment-evoking hues” in their common interests. The Smith x Quoc Strata collection includes just four elements, pulling two from each company’s existing line-up in a special color with limited edition graphics.
Smith had a secret speakeasy at Sea Otter where the new Stratta Collab was on display. We heard there was some mezcal & tequila too.
Quoc Strata Gran Tourer XC Lace
Flagship on the shoe side is the Smith x Quoc Gran Tourer XC Lace, now also with Smith logos on the left shoe. The top of their performance line-up, the shoes combine Quoc’s classic durable synthetic upper, stiffest carbon-composite sole construction with molded-on TPU tread lugs, wrap-around rubber protection, and hard-to-argue-with double-lock laces.
They also feature a new ribbed TPU-laminated tongue construction (in light blue) with larger perforations that Quoc says improves both foot comfort and overall breathability of the shoes. In fact, it looks like the same new tongue debuted last year on the wire-laced version of these shoes in the MAAP collab.
The limited edition $310 / 265€ Quoc Tourer XC Lace shoes get a Sandstone-colored upper with a “fossilized” print, highlighted by bleu opal tongue and logos, plus pink & purple Jade accents.
They also come with both the standard low-key Sandstone laces and more flashy, serrated-edge purple Jade laces for extra style points.
Smith Strata Defy sunglasses
Let’s start with the shades, since that’s what Smith has been making since 1965. These $207 / 185€ Strata edition Defy sunnies are a new color option of Smith’s most popular shades.
They get a matching Sandstone fossil print, but sadly no Quoc-branding on the rimless TR90 nylon-framed glasses themselves. Although they do come with a co-branded carry bag, plus an interchangeable clear lens for those dark rides when the huge, high-contrast ChromaPop shaded lens is just too dark.
Smith Strata Trace MIPS vented road helmet
The fully-vented $300 / 265€ Smith x Quoc Strata Trace MIPS road helmet in matching fossil Sandstone print does get proper Quoc co-branding, though. The 18-vent Trace MIPS helmet hasn’t really changed much in many years, but that’s because it has a been a popular mainstay in the Smith line-up, combining the dual safety systems of MIPS rotational impact protection and open Koroyd impact-absorbing honeycomb.
The Smith x Quoc Strata collaboration edition combines the matching two-tone shell with purple Jade webbing and some little blue Opal details.
Besides MIPS & Koroyd, it comes in three s, M & L sizes (51-62cm fit), and also gets VaporFit 270° dial fit adjustment, Ionic+ antimicrobial padding, and side vent openings to stow your Defy shades.
Quoc Strata Performance Gravel Socks
These Strata socks are also an all-new product for Quoc, a lighter synthetic blend for hot days riding mixed surfaces. The $35 / 30€ Smith x Quoc Strata Performance Gravel Socks are a mash-up of Quoc’s lighter road and more structured, high-wear gravel offerings. They are made of a more breathable 67% CoolMax blend, backed by a mix of polyester, nylon & elastic for comfort, stretchy fit, and durability. The co-branded limited edition socks come in two color-block versions – purple Jade or Sandstone, each with alternating accents.
All four limited edition products are available both from Smith and Quoc now, exclusively online and in limited numbers.