GL:PDX

Altra Timp has been my go-to shoe for a few years. Recently switched to the Speedland GL:PDX and really like it.

Speedland: GS: TMT for long trail runs (50 miles) Speedland: GL: PDX, medium distance trail runs (150 miles, 2nd pair) Lone Peak 8s: Daily runner, mixed road & trail (225 miles, probably owned like 30+ LPs) I need to add a dedicated road shoe for days that I don't make it to one of the local parks. Speedlands are a bit pricey but I've really been enjoying them so far. I rarely ever changed the tension on my laces midrun with traditional laces but being able to quickly tighten them up for technical downhills or loosen them for climbs has been nice. I got on the Lone Peak band wagon around version 3 and have always been happy enough with them although I generally get some pain in the sole of my foot if going 20+ miles in them.

When I "technical trail" I winder what people mean because where I am at we have some black diamond shit. Wet, mossy rocks, mud, roots, more rocks and scree... we have everything except dry trails for 300+ days a year to put it into perspective. With that said I run in the following, ranked from most used to least... 1. Speedland GS GAR with some spikes added (3 on toe area and two all the way at the back) for a liiiitle extra grip on wet roots or rocks. I love these shoes for the wet, long run days. I leave the carbon plate out of these. 2. Speedland GL PDX: tempo/threshhold/ 5k, 10k even 20k but no more than that. Deeper lugs also helps when it gets really sloppy and also same spike arrangement added and I like the carbon plate in these. 3. VJ Ultra 3: Not the super deep lugs like the Inov8 shoes but amazing rubber and a really good wide toebox fit... at least by my standards. Hoka Tecton/x 3: On the dry days where the trails have had a couple days prior to really get things dry. I really love these shoes but they just don't have the traction for trails as technical as these. Hoka Zinal 2: For the short up's / hill races, hill sprints, etc. added a Sper Feet sole to these to add a little stiffness and protection. That's my quiver and my recommendations :) at least for trails...

I tried the PDX and Tam 2 years ago and currently run in the MTC R1 (~100 miles) and T1 (~50 miles). I don't have them side by side though. The Speedlands were ok but nothing special, there were already other fast shoes like Nnormal Kerag and Salomon Pulsar series, and long run/ultra shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Edge that worked great for me at a fraction of the price and lighter to boot. I don't care for boa, they add to costs, bulk, maybe weight and for me would be a hardware solution for a minor problem having to do with attention to detail when just lacing up. R1 fits my feet well which is a major item for me, durability is good so far, and runs well enough. Will take time to compare to the Endorphin Speed 3s I enjoyed for a few years because I could get 900-1000+ miles/pair out of them and the current Endorphin Speed 4s are notably too narrow. T1 is what the Speedgoat or MTN Racer could be. Fits my wide feet well, good amount of bouncy cushioning that I don't feel like I'm fighting when picking up the pace, and solid traction.

I have the MTC R1, the Speedland Cocadona trail, and PDX’s.   R1 energy return feels great.  Price is right.  Got about 4-600 miles on the shoes and they’re fine except for the upper.  I realized my right big toe goes into enough flexion prior to footstrike that I’ve worn a hole in said upper.  This is not typical.  This is why the price is right.  That’s ok.  I can get it patched. There’s unusual wear on the right shoe outsole, lateral.  I’ve never seen wear like this on a shoe.  This tells me the outsole is very soft.  I’m trying to change my footstrike but I think we all know that’s a losing game. Could be from wearing them when I drive, but still unusual.  Heel lock is great.   Speedlands:  nailed the upper.  I’m very happy.  Wide footbed, plenty of space for the whole foot.   Boa system is well thought out.  I love it.  Heel lock non existent.  Shoe doesn’t feel as locked in as a result. If it had a heel lock I’d stop trying other models out. It’s definitely a shoe meant for going the distance compared to something locked in.  Get the plates.  Without them I’d describe the shoe as muted and stability focused.  The perception of extra pop makes them feel more active, closer to the Norda 001. I am curious about MTC’s trail shoes and Speedland’s road shoes.  However, given my experience with the MTC upper, I will likely put my money towards Speedland’s next road shoe.  If another shoe comes out that has extreme distances in mind, I’m in the market. EDIT:  typo and added some stuff.

1. Super shoe but Speedlands are pretty dang wide. 2. MTC are good. I’d give em a ‘B’ if Speedlands and Altras are an ‘A’.

I was wary bc of the price at first also. After trying them I won't be going back though. Quality and customer support is top notch.

Expensive but speedlands are super light and cushioned