Speedland GL:PDX Review

The Speedland GL:PDX. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

The Speedland GL:PDX ($250) has a decrease stack peak and better quantity than many different footwear from the Speedland and gives distinctive consolation over longer distances. Outfitted with a single BOA and a strap, the higher has a singular design that’s a departure from the model’s extra common use of two BOAs. The Michelin rubber outsole supplies loads of grip on a wide range of surfaces, and the 6.5-millimeter lugs are substantial sufficient to work in mud in addition to drier trails. The shoe has an precise weight of 10.6 ounces (302 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9. With a stack peak of 35 millimeters on the heel and 28 millimeters on the toe, it’s decrease to the bottom than different Speedlands. The shoe has the same match to footwear from Altra or Topo, however the 5-millimeter drop makes it extra accessible than zero-drop footwear.

Even with the decrease stack peak, this shoe excels when the miles begin to add up. The HTPU midsole mixed with a thick insole sock liner makes for a cushty trip, and the shoe’s greater quantity permits toes to swell. The higher is a bit tough to lock down, particularly when you have a slim heel, so this will not be an awesome shoe for prolonged miles on technical terrain.

iRunFar’s Travis Liles takes a deep dive into the Speedland GL:PDX and the situations the place it thrives.

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Speedland GL:PDX Evaluate Transcript

Hey and welcome to Path Trials, the video overview part of iRunFar.com. My title is Travis Liles, and on this video, we’re going to try the Speedland GL:PDX. Let’s test it out.

Alright, so let’s begin off with the statistics. This can be a 5-millimeter drop from heel to toe, coming in at 33 millimeters of stack on the heel, 28 on the toe. This can be a unisex shoe in a males’s measurement 9, ladies’s 10.5. That is a few 10.5-ounce shoe. It has the BOA lacing each ahead and backward. As an alternative of getting two BOA dials, this one has a strap up right here. It’s the GL platform. Versus the Speedland GS line, the GL line is slightly decrease to the bottom, slightly shorter on the froth, possibly slightly extra slim than that shoe. It’s sort of luggy and comes with this inexperienced colorway, the PDX version. That is the colour of the St. John’s Bridge. It’s alleged to take inspiration from Forest Park, which is a big park proper right here within the metropolis of Portland, the place I really ran a bunch of the miles of this shoe.

So, with all that mentioned, let’s stand up shut and private. Let’s see what this shoe is all about.

Speedland GL:PDX Outsole

The outsole of the Speedland GL:PDX.

Let’s begin off by looking on the Speedland GL:PDX outsole right here. The very first thing you would possibly discover is that is Michelin rubber, just like the tire firm. Even slightly Michelin Man waving right here on the underside.

General, actually good tread sample and grip compound. I felt actually good and assured once I was carrying these. You may see they’re fairly toothy. These are 6.5-millimeter lugs, which is pretty lengthy, particularly once you evaluate that to a whole lot of stuff on the market that is a bit more decrease profile. These do chew. They do grip. After I wore these in moist and muddy-ish kind situations, I all the time felt like they gripped very well. No complaints on the rubber. Didn’t really feel like they have been slick. If I wore them for a highway run and stepped on the white strains that get slick with natural materials, particularly right here in Portland within the wet season, these didn’t appear to have an issue sliding round on that, which is unquestionably not the case with all path footwear.

I believe total, a very good tread sample. It’s deep sufficient. It’s versatile sufficient on the underside that the shoe sort of grips and molds. I believe this shoe excels on the gravel-y, unfastened kind of stuff versus the extra mountain-y arduous, however that has extra to do with the match, which I’ll discuss right here in a second, and fewer to do with the compound. I believe that is the primary pair of footwear I’ve had with Michelin rubber, and I don’t have any complaints in any respect.

I believe one different space of observe is that this little dot proper right here, and if we glance carefully right here, it really says to chop out for drainage. This shoe, as you possibly can see, is buttoned up fairly tight. You’ve acquired some overlays and another issues right here. When you’re going to be getting in water loads, and also you need the shoe to empty higher, it actually has a drain plug, which I believe is sort of fascinating. Clearly, when you pop this out, that’s the top of it, proper? And also you’re all the time going to have that gap there, nevertheless it lets water out. A few different issues to notice right here. You may see this midsole poking by way of on the underside. This can be a 10.5-ounce shoe, so not heavy, not gentle, however that’s a technique that they’re saving some weight on the underside. I by no means actually seen something poking by way of in these areas, however clearly, these are barely weaker spots that you just would possibly wish to look out for as a result of there’s not a rock plate in right here.

Speedland GL:PDX Midsole

A medial view of the Speedland GL:PDX.

Okay, subsequent up is the Speedland GL:PDX midsole. Being the GL line, this can be a significantly shorter stack peak. As I discussed, it’s a 5-millimeter drop, so the drop continues to be fairly low. If you evaluate it to one thing just like the GS line, the distinction is fairly substantial with regards to the dimensions of the midsole. I’ll simply pop within the Speedland GS:TAM right here for instance. When you take a look at this inexperienced right here, and then you definitely take a look at this white right here, it’s a substantial quantity of further materials up right here. Now, your foot does sit inside this GS:TAM slightly bit extra, however of the 2, this can be a lower-profile shoe that feels slightly extra controllable, feels slightly extra athletically match.

And that is an HTPU midsole, which it’s comparable in really feel and sort of bounce to a number of the Saucony footwear which have this styrofoam-y, pebble-y kind of look. It’s acquired that very same type of really feel. Very excessive rebound. Feels very cushioned. It’s single-density foam all the best way round. It’s not too tall, nevertheless it supplies loads of cushion with out being excessive. That is in all probability a medium-cushion kind of shoe, if I have been to match it to the business at massive.

The opposite factor I’ll should name out on that is the best way that the shoe leverages the midsole sock liner insert. You may see it’s very, very thick. That is amped up slightly bit on the arch, nevertheless it’s very thick, and this can be a massive a part of the midsole. This shoe can’t take insoles, if that’s what you’re into. These are particular to the shoe and actually a giant a part of it, so this performs a giant piece. These all play a component on this total cushioning that you just’re getting with the shoe.

And that is, once more, just like the Saucony Peregrine line that I’ve talked about. This complete sock liner right here is made out of that very same TPU-type of froth. It’s very excessive rebound, feels actually good, and doesn’t put on down. There’s no pitting in right here. That is meant to final a very long time. I’d say so far as footbeds go, these are very high-end footbeds, no less than when it comes to sturdiness. You’re not getting a bunch of locations the place the froth is busted out and getting flat, and people sorts of issues. That’s simply not what’s going to go on right here, as a result of that is undoubtedly a midsole-type of froth that they’re utilizing for that half.

The opposite factor I’ll observe right here is that there’s a place so as to add a carbon plate, and so that you get a view of that right here. It merely snaps on right here. It’s an extra half you can order. It simply sits down right here on this type of midsole, clips onto the underside, and then you definitely pop that again into the shoe, and also you’ve acquired a shoe with a carbon plate on it. For that time I made earlier about a few of these weak factors, a carbon plate can be utilized for extra safety, but in addition for having slightly extra pep in your step, and including some spring to your run. I needed to name that out, regardless that it’s not midsole, it’s a part of what Speedland considers their midsole expertise.

Speedland GL:PDX Higher

A lateral view of the Speedland GL:PDX.

Let’s check out the Speedland GL:PDX higher. Once more, fascinating ideas right here. This has two issues which are slightly bit completely different than a number of the different Speedland fashions, or I suppose one factor that’s completely different. The BOA may be very, quite common, after all, on these footwear, and the best way that the BOA system works is fairly easy.

This can be a two-way BOA, so you possibly can pull this out, and that offers you your entire stretch right here. You may see that the cords come out, and then you definitely push this in, and also you’re in a position to put your foot in, twist that down, and you may see the shoe getting tighter.

Now what’s fascinating about that is that it additionally goes the opposite manner, and so if we come out, we get slightly extra space. For lack of a greater time period, dial this in. These wires type of crisscross, they usually go over these two items of material over right here. These are slightly bit gross from the climate right here, however you possibly can see this stuff are going to come back throughout. One’s linked proper behind the again of your massive toe, and this one’s slightly bit extra by way of that arch space of your foot. You’re going to get this type of squeeze down right here on the backside, and it provides a very constant pull. It’s placing a connection between this facet of the shoe, the medial and lateral components of the shoe, and making a little bit of a wrap right here. I really actually favored that a part of this shoe and the best way that it match.

The opposite factor right here is that this higher strap, and this isn’t widespread. The opposite GL mannequin doesn’t have this, and the GS:TAM doesn’t have this both. This can be a strap you can pull down and pull throughout. It has a few areas that it connects to on the again a part of the heel, throughout the highest of your foot, and once more on the arch within your foot, and pulling that throughout.

What I’ll say is that, on the whole, the decrease a part of this shoe, I used to be in a position to actually lock down. The higher a part of this shoe, I wasn’t. The vast majority of it’s, I exploit higher eyelets on my footwear to tie them and to actually create a lock. You may’t actually create a lock, as a result of there’s nothing right here that pulls this stuff collectively. It’s extra that you just’re creating strain right here, however the heel continues to be type of impartial. It brings all this collectively by creating rigidity right here and right here that type of pulls this collectively. It’s extra within the entrance.

Now, does it work? Positive, but when it’s over actually technical stuff, this isn’t actually my favourite kind of match, however in case you’ve acquired the next quantity foot, possibly it really works simply wonderful. Only for comparability, I’ll present you the GS:TAM. The very first thing I’ll name out is the lacing system. This one has two dials versus one. Once more, they’re the identical kind of factor, however this dial goes up greater, so that you’re buying and selling a dial for this strap. I don’t know that one does something completely different essentially than the opposite, however simply value calling out. I felt like this strap labored higher than the secondary dial. Neither one in all them was actually tremendous, tremendous locked down for me within the higher half. The underside a part of the foot was simply wonderful.

Okay, let’s name out one other couple of issues right here. On the higher, there’s some stretchy materials down right here on the foot. It’s a pretty vast match throughout the shoe, so regardless that this can be a extra slim match than the GS:TAM that I simply confirmed, there’s nonetheless fairly a little bit of room in right here. I might evaluate this to a Topo or an Altra within the match, that it’s slightly bit wider. It’s slightly bit extra comfy. It’s a shoe you can simply type of slide your foot into actually simply, particularly if this stuff aren’t locked down and simply type of like have it hanging off your foot. After which, after all, you are able to do all these varied issues right here to lock it down, nevertheless it’s a really comfy kind of match. Loads of room to your toes. There’s stretchy cloth right here on the high that has sort of simply sufficient motion in it. Doesn’t make your toes really feel too locked in.

After which there are overlays on the entrance to maintain the water out and people sorts of issues. After which, as you progress throughout the again, you see the identical kind of engineered materials all the best way round. This calls out the carbon plate you can put within the shoe. For probably the most half, it’s actually a really fabric-y, unstructured, not too dangerous, higher. The one factor that provides construction right here is that you just’ve acquired this tough, little BOA factor right here. When you’ve acquired a delicate a part of your foot and you actually should lock this factor down, that might be an issue. I really skilled that on the GS:TAMs. I didn’t expertise that in any respect on this shoe.

The very last thing I’ll name out right here is the heel collar. It’s a structured heel collar from right here down, and there’s slightly gaiter attachment there. There’s some pads in right here, however to my level about this strap, I used to be by no means in a position to absolutely lock it right down to the match that I precisely needed with these mechanisms.

The very last thing I wish to present is the width of what you’re stepping into between these two fashions. As a result of once more, the Speedland collection goes GL and GS, and people platforms prepare completely different. This can be a top-down view of the GS:TAM, and you may see that it’s considerably wider. These are each males’s 9.5s, however the quantity of quantity that’s completely different between these two is fairly important. I might in all probability say nearly an inch in width in case you have been to go from this right here to this right here. Simply one thing to bear in mind, in case you’ve acquired a very vast foot, you’ve acquired choices right here. I might nonetheless say this can be a extra beneficiant match than a whole lot of footwear, however you do have choices in the best way that this stuff match. And naturally, with the BOA methods, you’ve acquired a technique to dial it down.

Speedland GL:PDX General Impressions

A high view of the Speedland GL:PDX.

In closing, what does the Speedland GL:PDX do very well? This shoe does very well on extra groomed, fireplace highway, gravel, stuff that doesn’t have a whole lot of twists and turns and technical terrain on it. As a result of only for my heel, I can’t get it to lock down the best way that I need, regardless of this good midfoot wrap and even this strap throughout the highest. It alleviated the strain that I had with the GS:TAM, with the dials pushing on my foot, however I nonetheless was by no means in a position to lock it down sufficient. There simply wasn’t sufficient right here, on this house, as a result of it’s sort of unfastened and floppy. And once more, you don’t have higher eyelets, which I all the time use on all of my footwear. Some footwear I even add higher eyelets to. So hopefully that offers you slightly bit of additional information on the place my foot matches in.

This can be a fats tire bike. That’s what I really feel like about these footwear. After I was on longer distance, gravel-y, sort of groomed or filth kind path, this factor simply loped and did its factor and felt actually good. My foot might broaden, and the grip felt actually good on the underside of it. And it was comfy with this good foam, and this actually thick midsole, and actually thick insole that’s in there as properly. It simply actually carried out properly on that. The place it didn’t carry out properly is the place I needed my foot to be locked in, and I simply couldn’t ever fairly get that.

So, who’s this for? I’d say in case you’re doing a bunch of technical terrain and also you’ve acquired a narrower heel, this may not be precisely it. And I don’t know if any of the Speedland fashions are it in case you’ve acquired a low-volume foot and a slim heel, as a result of it’s simply arduous to get it locked in, regardless of having all these cool dials and issues like that. When you’ve acquired a extra high-volume foot that takes up a whole lot of house and also you’re into Altras and Topos and that type, these would possibly really work even higher as a result of you may get slightly bit extra dialed-in slot in these than a few of these sorts of footwear. Plus, you’re not combating a zero-drop, this being at a 5-millimeter drop.

So total, a lot of cool stuff on this shoe. It’s comfy. Does actually nice on that much less technical terrain, longer distance. Appears to be holding up very well. The insole is tremendous thick. The midsole is admittedly comfy. It grips properly. There are all types of enjoyable customizations. Like you possibly can add a carbon plate. You may pop holes out of this to let the shoe drain. There’s a whole lot of expertise and a whole lot of concepts thrown in right here, which I believe is simply enjoyable for the business on the whole. Bonus that it’s PDX colours, and I stay in Portland.

Any questions, feedback, place these beneath this video. Thanks for watching. We’ll catch you subsequent time.

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