Q36.5 Unique Pro Shoes Review

In a particularly competitive market, that of very high-end shoes, Q36.5 arrives with arguments such as Italian manufacturing, reduced sole thickness to promote performance, extensive comfort research, and very high-quality materials. But concretely, can this justify the very, very high asking price of €550? This is the question that four months of testing attempted to answer.

Text: Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: 3bikes.fr, q36-5.com/fr

In the field of performance linked to aesthetics, consumers may feel that there are no longer any limits. The shoe sector is obviously part of this trend. With rare exceptions, when the most expensive shoes still recently cost €300/€350 or even €400 at most, new thresholds have been crossed by major brands. For example, Specialized replaced its first generation of Ares at €400 with a second version at €549. The quality is there, as our recent test showed, but there were many reactions on social media, and rightly so.

Q36.5 seems to have almost followed in Specialized’s footsteps with its Unique Pro, offered at the same price, give or take a euro. However, and as our tests of the Italian brand consistently show, the products are developed with significant research and development work (aided by the professional team that validates prototypes until commercialization) while using only Premium materials in addition to manufacturing strictly based in Bolzano, Italy, or in its immediate vicinity – with the exception of one pair of long rain gloves!

Thus, for this new model, which sits at the very top of the brand’s hierarchy, the technologies employed focused on improving foot stability, power transmission, and comfort. At the very heart of the project is the reduction of the total sole height to 4.4 mm (with a carbon sole thickness of only 2.2 mm), one of the lowest on the market. According to recent studies, Q36.5 states that every millimeter reduction in sole height equates to a 1% increase in power thanks to improved rotation and aerodynamics, making the Unique Pro an average 4% improvement over existing shoes. The carbon fiber sole is obviously handcrafted in Italy with a patent-pending carbon layer. Despite its reduced height, it offers increased torsional rigidity, benefiting stability and control during pedaling. The molded heel helps reduce the lateral flexibility of the sole, thereby improving support and stability during movement phases.

Compared to recent standards, the outsole follows the trend and features a wider metatarsal area for guaranteed comfort on different foot sizes. Compared to the previous version (“Unique” model), the sole has been widened by 1 cm at the metatarsus, offering greater freedom of movement and a more comfortable fit. On the other side of the shoe, the heel is curved for increased stability.

Another aspect that represents the signature of Q36.5 shoes, they do not have a tongue and instead use an exclusive mesh panel on the instep to optimize the cooling effect of the shoes. This innovative material – composed of two layers separated by a ventilated structure – improves breathability, limits moisture accumulation, and optimizes fit by reducing pressure on certain areas of the foot. At this level, Q36.5 believes that no other shoe on the market offers such a large and effective ventilation surface, which suggests better thermoregulation.

The curved heel wall and the “powerstrap” (power strap according to its designers, a thermoplastic panel that helps reduce the risk of injury), which rises from the arch of the foot to the Boa dials, lock the foot in place, ensuring a feeling of stability even at the highest power.

Solestar insoles are included with the Unique Pro shoes, placing the foot in a neutral position with the aim of improving comfort, stability, and propulsion. The user will immediately notice that the insoles used here are not employed to save a few grams or a few euros in cost price, but rather are genuinely designed to ensure foot stability and comfort.

On the road

Upon discovering a pair of shoes, the first thing that appears is obviously the aesthetic of the model. While this criterion is, of course, entirely personal, it should be noted that the Unique Pro were almost unanimously appreciated by those who encountered them during group rides. This is primarily due to the white test version, but for those who might fear premature aging or dirt, a black or navy blue color is also available in the catalog, as is a “checkered” white.

Secondly, comfort during fitting is, of course, expected: here the overall contact is very pleasant. Following a general trend – the latest Specialized S-Works Ares 2 having brought it to a high level – the Unique Pro have also widened the metatarsal area, at the front of the shoe. Even in already high temperatures (though slightly below 30°C during the test period), and despite the carbon sole extending to the sides, the feet never swelled to the point of causing rubbing or discomfort. On this subject, Q36.5 strives to guarantee optimal thermal stability for all its products, whether jerseys, socks, or shoes. Large vents at the front of the sole and side vents inside the upper contribute to these good sensations. And above all, the highly exposed central mesh part plays a predominant role in perfectly managing the ventilation aspect. This is a real strong point compared to other shoes on the market, which are systematically more “closed”.

Furthermore, this raised edge on the sides of the sole reinforces the foot support offered by these shoes. This edge is much less pronounced at the front, but at the back, the sole rises to ensure excellent support for the rear of the foot, which itself is V-shaped to accentuate the tightening at the heel. Combined with the two Boa Li2 dials, which certainly remain the best on the market (and this version with a metallic finish is even better), the shoe offers exceptional support. In addition, silicone dots are placed inside, at the heel, again for optimal support. In use, the “locked-in” feeling at the heel is very real.

Regarding power transmission, and although we do not have a validation process for the claims regarding sole efficiency, under maximum effort, it is an extremely rigid carbon sole, almost flat at that, which reinforces the sensation that the foot is crushing the pedal.
When pedaling, in addition to comfort and overall foot support, another element is appreciable: the weight. At 255 g per shoe in size 45.5, the Unique Pro are rather light for a Boa-equipped model. To go even lower, one generally has to turn to lace-up models.

However, and this is an entirely personal judgment due to a particular morphology of my feet (thin and low), I felt the need to use other insoles than those supplied as standard. Not that the Solestar insoles supplied with the shoes are of mediocre quality; quite the opposite, in fact, because they are not “mere” comfort insoles but rather a model offering good support for the arch as well as the forefoot. But I preferred to further reduce the volume of the shoe by using other insoles from the same brand (Solestar) with the same objectives of support and comfort, but more accentuated.

Due to the shape of my foot, when maximum performance was required, it was still necessary to tighten the Boa dials to the maximum. This did not cause any particular discomfort, which is rather rare for me. This may be due to the absence of a tongue and the use of a proper insole. Thus, no rigid material overlaps, and the upper perfectly conforms to the shape of the foot. However, under these conditions, the mesh part is put to the test, and there are some creases at this level, indicating that the material is “pushed to its maximum.”

For cyclists seeking excellence

It ultimately appears that despite a very high price that will necessarily keep this model out of reasonable budgets, the Q36.5 come with genuine arguments. While it will first be possible to fall for their aesthetics, all the qualities expected of a high-end pair of shoes are present. In addition to the significant rigidity and foot support found in many of its competitors, these Italian shoes add rare comfort and particularly appreciable heat management. Therefore, the demanding cyclist with a sufficiently well-stocked wallet would be wrong to deprive themselves of riding with probably one of the best shoes on the market.

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