Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. As winter continues to migrate toward spring in Salt Lake City, the weather oscillates between sunny one day, and snowing the next. We’ve been fortunate to test shoes that excel in harsh, sloppy conditions, and one of our standouts this season is the Speedland GL:SVT. The shoe was designed for maximal comfort and performance on steep and technical terrain in partnership with Avery Collins, a Speedland athlete who resides in Silverton, Colorado, in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. Also home to the Hardrock 100, the mountain range silhouette on the heel cup plays as an homage to the region.
Since their arrival on the trail running scene, Speedland has committed themselves to breaking the mold of more traditional shoe brands. With single releases, unisex sizing and an unconventional approach to nearly every aspect of their design process, the GL:SVT maintains much of the construction elements and material construction of previous models. One main feature that sets it apart from the others is the integrated gaiter. Made from a tight, ripstop mesh material, the collar is easy to put on and comfortable to wear. After a handful of muddy and sloppy runs, we liked the stretch and feel of the gaiter but noticed that fine debris like sand and dust were able to work their way through. The gaiter also held up decently against snow, although it is not specifically billed as a snow-specific shoe, so we weren’t expecting to be fully dry after a few miles of post-holing.
One standout feature on the GL:SVT is the lacing. The BOA Fit System features their dual dial Li2 technology, allowing for more of a custom fit on different zones of the shoe. We like that these dials are multi-directional so we can make micro adjustments for a tighter or looser fit with ease, on the fly. The PerformFit Wrap activated by BOA Fit System is intuitive and helped us dial into a more secure fit across our midfoot and heel area which led to more confidence on tricky terrain. The stability gained by the gaiter and the properly dialed BOA system made the GL:SVT feel like more of an extension of our foot rather than wearing a shoe.
As with previous Speedland models, the GL:SVT has a two-piece, dual density midsole that can be decoupled to customize your ride should you prefer. The outer component is a beaded, medium density HTPU foam that excels at energy return and durability. The inner component on Speedland midsole compounds was formerly identified as 100% Pebax and is now more mysteriously labeled as a “proprietary compound,” but to our testing, the ride quality is very similar to previous models, leaning more toward the firm and responsive side than bouncy and cushioned. The optional Carbitex plate (sold separately) can be mounted or removed from the insole for further customization. During our testing, we used the plates on tempo-style runs with more flat terrain and removed the plates for easy runs and more vertical terrain. For an extra $35, the added value of not having to get a carbon-specific shoe felt worth it.
The Michelin Fiber Lite outsole has some serious grip, with the lugs coming in at 6.5mm. As with previous models, these lugs are adjustable to match the specific region/climate of the user. We tested them in the mud and deep snow, so we kept the lugs at their original length and had zero complaints. There is also a drainage hole that can be punched out that we also left intact. After a solid testing period, the lugs show minimal wear, and the shoe feels just like it did on our first run.
As Speedland continues to innovate and grab attention in a very saturated market, we are expecting to see more great models like the GL:SVT. Come any weather on any terrain, and Speedland seems to keep up with the best of them.
Features & Specs:
- Weight: 10.7 oz (unisex sizing, men’s size 9)
- Stack heights (heel/toe): 33mm/28mm
- Toe drop: 5mm
- Upper: PerformFit Wrap with BOA Fit System featuring multi-directional dual-dial Li2 platform
- Tight knit ankle gaiter
- Midsole: 100% beaded HTPU external midsole with proprietary drop-in internal midsole
- Outsole: Michelin Fiber Lite compound with 6.5mm lugs
- MSRP $299
Available at www.runspeedland.com