The Speedland GL:PDX. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The Speedland GL:PDX ($250) has a decrease stack peak and better quantity than many different sneakers from the Speedland and presents distinctive consolation over longer distances. Outfitted with a single BOA and a strap, the higher has a novel design that’s a departure from the model’s extra common use of two BOAs. The Michelin rubber outsole gives 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 sneakers from Altra or Topo, however the 5-millimeter drop makes it extra accessible than zero-drop sneakers.
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 experience, and the shoe’s larger quantity permits ft to swell. The higher is a bit troublesome to lock down, particularly when you’ve got a slender heel, so this is probably not an important 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.
Speedland GL:PDX Overview Transcript
Hey and welcome to Path Trials, the video evaluation part of iRunFar.com. My title is Travis Liles, and on this video, we’re going to check out 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 dimension 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 somewhat decrease to the bottom, somewhat shorter on the froth, possibly somewhat extra slender 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 presupposed 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 stated, 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 somewhat Michelin Man waving right here on the underside.
Total, actually good tread sample and grip compound. I felt actually good and assured after I was sporting these. You possibly can see they’re fairly toothy. These are 6.5-millimeter lugs, which is pretty lengthy, particularly once you examine that to a number of stuff on the market that is a bit more decrease profile. These do chunk. They do grip. Once I wore these in moist and muddy-ish sort situations, I at all times felt like they gripped rather well. No complaints on the rubber. Didn’t really feel like they have been slick. If I wore them for a street run and stepped on the white traces 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 certainly not the case with all path sneakers.
I feel general, a extremely good tread sample. It’s deep sufficient. It’s versatile sufficient on the underside that the shoe sort of grips and molds. I feel this shoe excels on the gravel-y, free sort of stuff versus the extra mountain-y laborious, however that has extra to do with the match, which I’ll speak about right here in a second, and fewer to do with the compound. I feel that is the primary pair of sneakers I’ve had with Michelin rubber, and I don’t have any complaints in any respect.
I feel one different space of be aware 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’ll be able to see, is buttoned up fairly tight. You’ve acquired some overlays and another issues right here. If you happen to’re going to be entering into water lots, and also you need the shoe to empty higher, it actually has a drain plug, which I feel is sort of fascinating. Clearly, when you pop this out, that’s the top of it, proper? And also you’re at all times going to have that gap there, however it lets water out. A few different issues to notice right here. You possibly can see this midsole poking by means of on the underside. This can be a 10.5-ounce shoe, so not heavy, not mild, however that’s a technique that they’re saving some weight on the underside. I by no means actually observed something poking by means 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, it is a significantly shorter stack peak. As I discussed, it’s a 5-millimeter drop, so the drop remains to be fairly low. Whenever you examine it to one thing just like the GS line, the distinction is fairly substantial in the case of the scale of the midsole. I’ll simply pop within the Speedland GS:TAM right here for instance. If you happen to have a look at this inexperienced right here, and you then have a look at this white right here, it’s a substantial quantity of extra materials up right here. Now, your foot does sit inside this GS:TAM somewhat bit extra, however of the 2, it is a lower-profile shoe that feels somewhat extra controllable, feels somewhat extra athletically match.
And that is an HTPU midsole, which it’s related in really feel and sort of bounce to a few of the Saucony sneakers which have this styrofoam-y, pebble-y sort 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, however it gives loads of cushion with out being excessive. That is most likely a medium-cushion sort of shoe, if I have been to check it to the trade at giant.
The opposite factor I’ll need to name out on that is the best way that the shoe leverages the midsole sock liner insert. You possibly can see it’s very, very thick. That is amped up somewhat bit on the arch, however it’s very thick, and it is a large 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 general 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, not 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 varieties of issues. That’s simply not what’s going to go on right here, as a result of that is positively a midsole-type of froth that they’re utilizing for that half.
The opposite factor I’ll be aware 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 a further half you can order. It simply sits down right here on this type of midsole, clips onto the underside, and you then 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 added safety, but in addition for having somewhat extra pep in your step, and including some spring to your run. I wished to name that out, although 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 somewhat bit totally different than a few of the different Speedland fashions, or I assume one factor that’s totally different. The BOA may be very, quite common, in fact, on these sneakers, and the best way that the BOA system works is fairly easy.
This can be a two-way BOA, so you’ll be able to pull this out, and that offers you your whole stretch right here. You possibly can see that the cords come out, and you then push this in, and also you’re capable of put your foot in, twist that down, and you’ll see the shoe getting tighter.
Now what’s fascinating about that is that it additionally goes the opposite approach, and so if we come out, we get somewhat more room. For lack of a greater time period, dial this in. These wires type of crisscross, and so they go over these two items of cloth over right here. These are somewhat bit gross from the climate right here, however you’ll be able to see this stuff are going to come back throughout. One’s related proper behind the again of your large toe, and this one’s somewhat bit extra by means 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 extremely constant pull. It’s placing a connection between this facet of the shoe, the medial and lateral elements of the shoe, and making a little bit of a wrap right here. I really actually appreciated 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 frequent. 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, usually, the decrease a part of this shoe, I used to be capable of actually lock down. The higher a part of this shoe, I wasn’t. Nearly all of it’s, I exploit higher eyelets on my sneakers to tie them and to essentially create a lock. You possibly can’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 stress right here, however the heel remains to be type of impartial. It brings all this collectively by creating pressure right here and right here that type of pulls this collectively. It’s extra within the entrance.
Now, does it work? Certain, but when it’s over actually technical stuff, this isn’t actually my favourite sort of match, however in case you’ve acquired a better 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 sort of factor, however this dial goes up larger, so that you’re buying and selling a dial for this strap. I don’t know that one does something totally different essentially than the opposite, however simply value calling out. I felt like this strap labored higher than the secondary dial. Neither one in every of 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 huge match throughout the shoe, so although it is a extra slender match than the GS:TAM that I simply confirmed, there’s nonetheless fairly a little bit of room in right here. I might examine this to a Topo or an Altra within the match, that it’s somewhat bit wider. It’s somewhat 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, in fact, you are able to do all these varied issues right here to lock it down, however it’s a really comfy sort of match. Loads of room in your toes. There’s stretchy material right here on the prime 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 varieties of issues. After which, as you progress throughout the again, you see the identical sort of engineered materials all the best way round. This calls out the carbon plate you can put within the shoe. For essentially the most half, it’s actually a really fabric-y, unstructured, not too unhealthy, higher. The one factor that provides construction right here is that you just’ve acquired this tough, little BOA factor right here. If you happen to’ve acquired a delicate a part of your foot and you actually need to lock this factor down, that could possibly 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 somewhat gaiter attachment there. There’s some pads in right here, however to my level about this strap, I used to be by no means capable of absolutely lock it all the way down to the match that I precisely wished 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 organize totally different. This can be a top-down view of the GS:TAM, and you’ll see that it’s considerably wider. These are each males’s 9.5s, however the quantity of quantity that’s totally different between these two is fairly vital. I might most likely 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 extremely huge foot, you’ve acquired choices right here. I might nonetheless say it is a extra beneficiant match than a number of sneakers, 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 Total Impressions
A prime view of the Speedland GL:PDX.
In closing, what does the Speedland GL:PDX do rather well? This shoe does rather well on extra groomed, hearth street, gravel, stuff that doesn’t have a number 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 stress that I had with the GS:TAM, with the dials pushing on my foot, however I nonetheless was by no means capable of lock it down sufficient. There simply wasn’t sufficient right here, on this house, as a result of it’s sort of free and floppy. And once more, you don’t have higher eyelets, which I at all times use on all of my sneakers. Some sneakers I even add higher eyelets to. So hopefully that offers you somewhat bit of additional data on the place my foot suits in.
This can be a fats tire bike. That’s what I really feel like about these sneakers. Once I was on longer distance, gravel-y, sort of groomed or filth sort path, this factor simply loped and did its factor and felt actually good. My foot may 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 nicely. It simply actually carried out nicely on that. The place it didn’t carry out nicely is the place I wished 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 won’t 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 slender heel, as a result of it’s simply laborious to get it locked in, regardless of having all these cool dials and issues like that. If you happen to’ve acquired a extra high-volume foot that takes up a number of house and also you’re into Altras and Topos and that model, these would possibly really work even higher as a result of you will get somewhat bit extra dialed-in slot in these than a few of these varieties of sneakers. Plus, you’re not combating a zero-drop, this being at a 5-millimeter drop.
So general, plenty 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 rather well. The insole is tremendous thick. The midsole is basically comfy. It grips nicely. There are every kind of enjoyable customizations. Like you’ll be able to add a carbon plate. You possibly can pop holes out of this to let the shoe drain. There’s a number of expertise and a number of concepts thrown in right here, which I feel is simply enjoyable for the trade usually. Bonus that it’s PDX colours, and I stay in Portland.
Any questions, feedback, place these under this video. Thanks for watching. We’ll catch you subsequent time.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever had an opportunity to run within the Speedland GL:PDX? What have been your impressions?
- Are you a fan of BOA dials on path trainers?
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