Speedland GL:SVT Review: Styled by San Juan, Ready for Anywhere

Introduction to the Speedland GL:SVT

SAM: I keep doing the same dumb thing. Over and over, I’ll get a shoe I’m excited about and toss it on, with little to no break-in period, for a day of big miles. I did it with the Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3. That one worked out pretty well for me, so I did it again — same bat time, same bat channel — two years later with the Ultraventure 4 at the exact same race. Again, stellar results. So, with two years of bad decisions paying off, I ventured into a new shoe brand with my same stupidity.

When the new Speedland GL:SVT showed up at my door two nights before I had planned to join a 34-mile traverse of the local — and beloved — Patapsco State Park, I figured what the hell. I was excited about this shoe, it felt great on step-in, and previous offerings from Speedland had passed our review tests with flying colors. I wriggled my feet past the integrated gaiters, cinched down the BOA Fit System, and climbed on the 6:30 am bus to the trailhead.

33-ish miles later (I took a few accidental deviations), I had a pretty good picture of what the GL:SVT offers. But first, the technical details: this is the latest commission from Portland, Oregon-based Speedland, made in conjunction with Avery Collins, as Allison and Taylor mention below. The GL platform is Speedland’s lower-stack followup to the well-received GS series, with 33 mm of foam in the heel to the GS’s 37 mm and a 5 mm drop instead of 7 mm.

Otherwise, most of the tech is the same: a Michelin Fiber Lite outsole with cuttable 6.5mm lugs, a beaded HTPU outer midsole, and a proprietary drop-in midsole with an optional Carbitex one-way-flex carbon fiber plate. Two BOA Fit System dials secure a high-tenacity knit and ripstop upper, complete with an integrated gaiter.

ALLISON: Living in the South, I may be a bit biased, but when I heard Speedland was releasing a trail shoe designed with Avery Collins, my excitement skyrocketed. Avery’s reputation as a trail running powerhouse (I saw him firsthand flying up the North Carolina trails with ease) immediately made me trust that he knows what it takes to craft a shoe for technical terrain.

Yes, he may call the San Juan mountains home, but we Southerners know his true roots. With standout features like exceptional traction, a dual BOA Fit System for a customizable lockdown, and an integrated gaiter for extra protection, the GL:SVT certainly seemed built to impress. Admittedly, I could never justify spending this much on a shoe, which made being chosen to review it all the more exciting. I was ready to see if it lived up to the hype and its price tag.

TAYLOR: This gig seems pretty posh at times. To say that I’ve run in every Speedland shoe feels a little pretentious. It’s also a badge of honor. I’ve experienced the innovation, felt the difference, and can fully appreciate what Kevin and Dave have done.

They’ve taken a no-holds-barred approach to shoe design — not in the classic WWF no-rules kind of manner, but more in the thoughtful application of premium. This is what the company has become known for — here are the best ingredients; this is the experience we want; let’s make this happen.

I loved the original Speedland SL:PDX. It will forever be a groundbreaker. The GS:TAM took things up a notch in the max-cush category. To be honest, after running in both of those polarized options, I wanted something that hit the middle. An ideal would be to pull the precession of the first and protection of the latter — something that I could access any terrain and spend all day comfortably in the shoe.

That’s exactly the aim of the third major rollout from Speedland. The GL series (GL:SVT and GL:PDX) is designed for big adventures in technical terrain. It utilizes a lot of the same components that Speedland is known for, too, which Sam ran through above.

What’s different about the Speedland GL:SVT? Well, this is an Avery Collins commission. If you’re not familiar beyond Allison’s introduction, he’s a mountain athlete who resides in the wild playground of Silverton, Colorado (start and finish of Hardrock 100). To honor his typically technical pursuits, Speedland adjusted the BOA Fit System placement as well as integrated a sock-like booty to support movement in the mountains.

Being that I’m a mountain dweller as well, I’ve been drooling over my chance to put the Speedland GL:SVT to the test.

MATT: I’ll spare the readers the repetition of all the details around the Speedland GL:SVT, as my BITR Dirt Divsion compadres have painted a great picture so far. However, I will echo Taylor in saying that Speedland is one of those brands (along with Norda) that makes me very much aware of how fortunate I am to be in this position. Otherwise, it would be a hard discussion with my kids to explain they were skipping summer camp this year because Daddy needs some Carbitex and Dyneema.

In all seriousness, just like Taylor, the Speedland SL:PDX is still one of my all-time favorite shoes, and it was definitely in my all-time top five most-hyped arrivals. I loved that shoe so much, only wishing they would make a version with a bit more stack, which they then did with the GS: TAM.

Then, the GL:SVT really caught my eye for the unique design of the upper with the built-in gaiter and the re-positioned BOA Fit System. My only reservation was whether a shoe designed by Avery Collins and inspired by the trails in Silverton would actually be too much shoe for running the single track of the Mid-Atlantic.

What we like about the Speedland GL:SVT

SAM: As you can see from Taylor’s experience, Speedland has built a stellar reputation for itself in a relatively short amount of time. The GL:SVT adds to that reputation with some truly great components. For example, the upper on this shoe is a thing of beauty, built from a high tenacity fiber elastic knit for the top and gaiter with ripstop for the rest of the shoe. There’s some extra cushioning and structure in the heel, and all this makes for a near-perfect fit for a mountain running shoe.

I’ll note that the GL:SVT fits maybe a quarter of a size big, with the right amount of extra room in front of your toes for long distances. The extra length is comparable to what you’d find in the Altra Lone Peak 8, although the GL:SVT is slightly more trim in its width than that one. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of room for toe splay — the room in the toebox is right in that golden zone, with more than enough room all around, but not so much that you feel like you’re swimming. This makes for a very stable platform that feels nimble despite the room for your toes. I love it.

Also, my US M10 came in at almost 12 oz, so this is by no means a light shoe, but it runs like one. The rebound of the two foams with the underfoot feel makes for a fun, snappy ride with some true technical chops. This midsole combination is my favorite depth and durometer for trails. It’s medium firm and just thick enough to be protective but not so thick that you lose trail feel entirely — you feel close to the ground but never feel exposed.

The dual BOA Fit System closure is a breeze to set and forget or to adjust on the fly when needed. It provides more lockdown than you could wish for. I mentioned the gaiters above, and while they might not work for everyone (see what Allison has to say below), they paid off in spades for me. I took these on several runs on loose snow, and the gaiters kept it completely out of my shoes.

Speaking of those snowy runs, they were an ideal testing ground for the Michelin Fiber Lite outsole. The rubber compound and the configuration of the 6.5 mm lugs are seriously impressive. The layout also features Speedland’s Cuttable Blocks, which allows for a measure of lug depth customization, but I’m not sure why you’d want to give up on all this grip. It’s hard to overcome all sloppiness when running in the snow, but this outsole made it as manageable as possible. I was following behind a guy wearing traction spikes, and I had no issues keeping up. Everything else I threw at this, the outsole handled with ease. Wet rocks, loose gravel, and snow-dusted singletrack were all within reach.

ALLISON: Where do I even begin on all the things I liked about the Speedland GL:SVT? First of all, it definitely didn’t feel like it weighed 10.7 ounces at all — it felt much lighter, allowing me to pick up speed with ease on the trail. One of the standout features for me was the roomy toe box, which gave my toes plenty of space to splay naturally, reducing any chance of discomfort or hot spots during longer runs.

The BOA Fit System was another highlight, providing a secure, locked-in feel that was both easy to adjust and dependable. Unlike other shoes I’ve tried, like one or two from Scarpa, I didn’t experience the overly tight, compressed feeling from the BOA Fit System here — it struck the perfect balance of snug and comfortable. I also didn’t mind the bold colorway of the GL:SVT, which added some personality without being over the top. But perhaps my favorite feature was the Michelin Fiber Lite outsole.

The traction was exceptional, gripping confidently even on the most technical terrain, from rocky ascents to muddy descents. Whether I was tackling loose dirt or slick surfaces, the GL:SVT delivered a smooth, controlled ride that inspired confidence. Overall, it combined performance, comfort, and durability in a way that exceeded my expectations.

TAYLOR: Allison and Sam touched on many of the same things I appreciated about the Speedland GL:SVT. I believe the overall shape of the shoe really lays the groundwork for the rest of the components to succeed. It doesn’t have a wide toe box per se, but I’d say Speedland chose an anatomical shape. The overall shape assisted in both the comfort department and performance because I simply felt grounded — it’s a sensation I loved from the SL:PDX and the SL:HSV.

Oh, and you can easily modify that fit from the topside to enhance both the sensation of the trails and adapt to your terrain. I love that Speedland is stickin’ with the dual BOA Fit System dials, as I think it’s a second-to-none closure that allows for top-notch fit. Oftentimes, I’ll loosen the dials for runs that are relaxed or on the uphills, but with a few quick turns that take only seconds, I can change the fit to lock it in for more technical features. Also, this allows me a particular fit for running the gravel roads to the trailhead, at which point I can tighten my shoe for the snowy trails without removing my mittens.

The Speedland GL:SVT’s fit allows for confident control, which is absolutely necessary for a shoe slated for technical trails.

My fellow reviewers have touched on a few parts of the upper, but I feel I should clarify the structure a bit. Overall, it’s incredibly durable, and it’s all thanks to an adjustable knit upper that melds nicely to the shape of my foot. Lower down, about where you might hit rocks and roots, there’s a tighter engineered mesh that feels close to Matryx fabric or even Dyneema, which is high praise.

Above that is where the integrated knit sock-like gaiter sits, which felt more like I had an extra comfortable sock on. I can’t think of another shoe that has integrated a light gaiter so well. The North Face Summit Series Offtrail’s gaiter is quite aggressive, whereas the Hoka Tecton X 3’s was on the lighter end. The Speedland GL:SVT is more like the latter, but I found its form and function to be better, matching both comfort and keeping debris at bay.

Of course, the GL:SVT has a lot in common with its fellow Speedland models, including a two-piece midsole — or, rather, an inner midsole and an outer one. The outer element is made from a beaded, medium-dense HTPU foam that’s a bit more durable with higher energy return. To me, it feels denser and more stable than Craft’s Xplor Hybrid, though they look similar. On the GS series, it’s the dominant foam, but on the GL:SVT, it takes up about half of the overall stack.

The other piece of the GL:SVT’s sandwich is a blended drop-in midsole which, yes, you can take out. It basically gives the shoe a dual-density midsole that’s kind of like what you get in Hoka’s Mafate Speed 4 or Nike’s Zegama 2. To me, it gives the shoe a fairly medium-dense ride — not soft, not firm, just in the middle. I like it, though. It makes me feel like I’m in control.

Then, when I wanted to spice things up, I called on the insertable Carbitex Gearflex plate. As with other Speedland models, there’s a noticeable bump in responsiveness with the Carbitex engaged. Even more so, it creates a slightly stiffer and more dynamic sense of stability for those higher-intensity trails. I much prefer running in the GL:SVT with the Carbitex plate.

At the bottom, the Michelin Fiber Lite outsole with 6.5 mm deep lugs clawed into just about anything. As ever, you can chop and change your outsole pattern if you want a shorter lug and hope to trim a few grams. Each lug has a cutline to make sure you don’t actually damage the outsole, too, but I’ve never felt a need to modify my grip.

MATT: My colleagues have done a great job of outlining all of the great things about the GL:SVT, which is good because there’s a lot to list. I have run in all of the Speedland models and I’m comfortable in saying that overall, for my style of running, I think the GL:SVT is the best so far.

I absolutely love the upper design and built-in gaiter. The Hoka Tecton X 3 was another of my favorite shoes of 2024, and I would compare the gaiter fit pretty closely — maybe even calling this one better. I like to think of the BOA fit system design on the GL:SVT as having a floating dial for the upper. When loose, the dial basically detaches, but when tightened, the location helps guide the upper to wrap and snug your foot and ankle.

As with all Speedland models, the Michelin outsole is super grippy in all conditions. This is taken up a notch with the GL:SVT, as the lugs are a massive 6.5 mm. During my testing, I had the pleasure of doing a super muddy run as well as a snow-packed run, and the aggressive nature of the design kept me confidently upright the whole time.

I was a bit apprehensive that the shrinking stack of the GL:SVT, compared to the GS:TAM, would not agree with me and would be too harsh a ride for me, but I was very wrong. While I would not describe the ride as pillowy, the midsole is firm but comfortable, and most importantly, the profile provides excellent ground feel and a confident connection with the trails.

What we don’t like about the Speedland GL:SVT

SAM: I have very little negative to say, save for a few advisory comments on fit. I took a crash course on breaking this shoe in, and while the straps that wrap your foot and secure with the BOA Fit System do stretch some, my tendency was to crank those dials to what felt like a similar tightness to the laces in other shoes. The BOA Fit System doesn’t have the same measure of natural stretch as laces, and these straps don’t tighten and/or loosen to the shape of your feet like laces often do.

This is a secure, no-movement fit. The killer thing about this is that the BOA Fit System dials are so easy to adjust on the fly, so as your feet swell, just let some tension out. The other killer (in a bad way) part of this is if you don’t take those few seconds to adjust the dials, those straps can have their way with your swelling feet. That upper dial is in a touchy position, and if you don’t have it positioned just right or if it’s tightened too much, it digs into the top of your foot and creates discomfort.

Also, if you trim off the nub on the outsole for drainage, make sure to pull those midsole inserts to clean and dry underneath them after runs. I got plenty of water and a whole ball of mud in there.

ALLISON: I understand that Speedland is a small brand, but as a female runner, unisex sizing can be incredibly frustrating. Despite tightening the BOA fit system as much as possible, the shoe still felt loose on my feet — and I’m a US W9. I can only imagine how someone with smaller or narrower feet would feel. The gaiter was another issue; it fit loosely around my ankle, even with socks underneath, which compromised the snug fit I was hoping for.

Then there’s the price — $300 is a lot, and that doesn’t even include the Carbitex GearFlex Plate. While the GL:SVT boasts some impressive features, I’m not sure they justify such a steep cost. For many runners, spending that much on a trail shoe is hard to rationalize, especially with other capable options on the market.

TAYLOR: Apparently, weight is just something we’ll have to be okay with in every Speedland shoe. I do agree with Allison and Sam; it doesn’t feel as heavy as it is on foot (none of the models really have), but it is still up there with some of the heaviest on the market, including max cush options. Even though the Speedland GL:SVT nails its technical performance, it could no doubt be better if it was a lighter package. Weight is one of the reasons I feel so confident in a shoe slated for technical terrain, yet my pair of GL:SVT came in at 12.7 ounces, which is heavier than the Tomir 2.0, Speedgoat 6, Agility Peak 5, and more.

Another small issue that has the potential to be bigger, is that the upper dial placement was… awkward. Performance-wise, the upper BOA Fit System did its job really, really well. The upper dial placement is higher, allowing it to kiss the ankle collar slightly and pull the heel down into the pocket. Where the upper dial landed was directly in front of my lateral malleolus (outside knobby thing on my ankle) on the top side of my foot, so when I tightened up the shoe, it pressed into my foot, and I could feel it throughout my runs. The more I depended on a tighter fit, the more I felt the dial.

Sizing isn’t really a negative, just know that my Speedland GL:SVT ran a little long. I would probably go down a half-size, but some may even want to go down a full size if you are considering these for fast technical pursuits. If ultra is your wheelhouse, shop for your typical size.

Lastly, high prices don’t seem so crazy in the weird world of shoes anymore. Three Benjamins is still on par with the highest dollar and highest performance shoes on the market. With a price like that, it should cause one to stop and think about performance. If build quality, fit, and adjustable performance tech are what you care about most, the Speedland GL:SVT might be worth it to you. If you’re just looking for a shoe to do the job well, there are other options at half the price.

MATT: As Tayor mentioned, the sizing feels a bit off in the GL:SVT. The good news is that sizing is a solvable issue as long as you have some kind folks to give you a heads-up on the fit prior to purchase. I would agree that you need to go at least half a size down if not a full size. It’s unfortunate because I think if I had been testing out a US M9.5 instead of a US M10, I might have had an even more glowing review. The shoe being long caused me to really crank down on the BOA Fit System, which in turn caused some discomfort in other areas.

As much as I loved the upper fit and the gaiter, I would advise that if running in the snow or heavy rain, the material will get soggy and bleed through, leaving you with some soggy socks over time. This was a shame because the aggressive lugs and overall design of the shoe make it an awesome choice for snowy trails, so maybe just pair them with some thicker socks.

Final thoughts on the Speedland GL:SVT

SAM: One day, my stupidity is going to leave me with wrecked, blistered feet and I’ll probably learn my lesson. But this time, after 50K-plus in the Speedland GL:SVT on frosty trails, that stupidity paid off in spades. This shoe is finely tuned for long and short technical efforts and has the build quality to keep performing even after you’ve used it to chew up plenty of miles.

I was surprised with how much fun I had running in this. The finer details, like the integrated gaiter, the removable Carbitex plates, and the ease of adjustment with the dual Boa Fit System dials, do a great job of removing common frustrations that can hamper the amount of fun you can have running. Sure, it’s a little heavy and sure, you have to pay extra attention to that top Boa Fit System dial, but the quality of the shoe overcomes those negatives and leaves just you and the trail, harmonizing as the miles click off behind you.

ALLISON: I was excited to finally put the Speedland GL:SVT to the test, and it definitely lived up to the hype. This shoe struck an impressive balance, offering a supremely comfortable ride while maintaining strength and stability on any terrain, from rocky paths to muddy trails. The innovative design and premium materials truly set it apart. That said, the hefty price tag gives me pause. While the performance is top-notch, deciding whether to spend that much on a trail shoe is another story entirely. Still, there’s no denying it’s an exceptional offering.

TAYLOR: I have to say, Kevin and Dave (and Avery) at Speedland have done it again. Their goal is to cut no corners with quality and provide the best performance possible. The Speedland GL:SVT achieves that goal with an uncompromised fit, customizable, experience, and highest quality materials.

Even though I have my small issues with this package, it’s really one that’s hard to argue against because I did just feel so good when running in it. This is a shoe I would take for moderate to technical trail adventures. What’s best about this package is that it lands smack dab between Speedland’s other commissions in terms of comfort and technical trail performance. I have a hunch this is exactly what many Speedland fans and those new to the brand have been waiting for.

MATT: As I mentioned above, I personally think the GL:SVT is the best offering yet from the Speedland team, so despite my gripes around sizing, this is heavy praise. As with all the Speedland models, detractors will lament the price tag, but the GL:SVT is top-notch in every material and component, and you will have replaced any $100-$150 trail shoe numerous times over before you even think about retiring this one.

If you routinely train and race on technical terrain and are looking for a shoe that will keep you connected to the ground while you tear up and down the trail, I don’t think you will be disappointed with the GL:SVT.

You can pick up the Speedland GL:SVT for $300 by using the buttons below.