Bestard Guepard GTX by Sergio Fernández Tolosa
“After wearing them on all kinds of trails and paths in medium and high mountain areas, I’ve confirmed that, despite their name, the Bestard Guepard shoes don’t magically turn you into the fastest terrestrial creature in the animal kingdom. With a conservative drop, exceptional grip and traction, effective foot protection, and notable cushioning, the ideal terrain for the Bestard Guepard GTX reminds me more of the wolf, a versatile and tireless being that hunts not for top speed, but through endurance.”
Below, we share an excerpt from the full review published by Sergio Fernández Tolosa on his website Con un par de ruedas.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
When holding the Bestard Guepard GTX in my hands, the most striking feature – aside from the large Gore-Tex™ emblem displayed on the inner side – is their powerful and robust midsole. Its consistency promises good protection when landing on stones and will aid ascents on rugged terrain, steps, etc.
Additionally, a clearly reinforced collar and heel cup help shape a true mountain shoe. It’s ideal footwear for runners who prioritize cushioning, stability, and durability over lightness.
In this regard, on my scale, the Bestard Guepard GTX in size 47 EUR weigh 465 grams per foot. In size 42 EUR, according to the manufacturer, the pair weighs 814 grams.
TIME TO GET WET (OR NOT)
A key feature of the Guepard GTX is precisely the Gore-Tex™ Most Breathable membrane. While this increases weight – in size 47, there’s an 85-gram difference per foot compared to the non-Gore-Tex Guepard – if you live in cold environments and run through areas with streams, mud, puddles, tall grasses, and dew-covered shrubs, Gore-Tex is your best guarantee to keep your feet dry.
Another very important detail is the extra eyelet in the lacing system, typical of running shoes. This provides better hold, adds stability, and prevents the foot from sliding forward during steep descents.
Regarding the shape, it is reasonably wide (my foot is particularly wide). The toe area is slightly pointed, but the box is high enough to leave enough room for the big toe nail. Additionally, the entire toe cap is reinforced and protected.
VIBRAM® SOLE WITH MEGAGRIP
The Vibram® sole with Megagrip compound promises excellent grip on mixed terrain and unbeatable traction on rocks, even in wet conditions.
In this case, the tread is prominent but not extreme. The lugs are V-shaped, spaced apart, and oriented to provide retention during descents, traction during ascents, and lateral grip on sloped sectors.
The sole forms a wide platform, with no division between the forefoot and rearfoot. There are two flex grooves that intersect at the heel area, where they are deeper. In the rest of the shoe, the longitudinal groove is very shallow. When testing the torsion capacity of these axes, I found it nearly impossible to bend them with my hands. They are really rigid. Under body weight, they do adapt to the terrain, especially when landing on the heel.
CONSERVATIVE DROP
My stack height measurements – completely DIY, meaning without cutting the shoes in cross-section – gave me an approximate thickness of 40 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot (including the sole, midsole, and insole). These measurements place the Guepard GTX in the maximalist category. As for the drop, Bestard places it at 8 mm, but honestly, on the ground, they behave similarly to shoes with higher drops.
For those unfamiliar with these specifications, it might be helpful to note that such drops are usually recommended for heel-striking runners, recovery runs at gentle paces, long races, athletes of certain weight (or carrying a backpack), and those seeking extra cushioning and/or greater protection from the terrain.
The most indisputable benefit of a high drop is that it reduces stress on the calves, soleus, and Achilles tendon. It also helps during ascents. On the other hand, during very steep descents, a high drop may create the sensation that the slope is even steeper and make landing with the front of the foot more difficult, especially if you’re used to running in shoes with lower drops.
ON THE TERRAIN
On the first run with the Guepard GTX, the good expectations regarding the sole’s grip and traction are confirmed. The Vibram Sphike with Megagrip performs excellently on soft ground, compact earth, dry rock, wet rock, grass… They provide a lot of security, both on flat surfaces and during ascents and descents.
On the first long ascent – about 180 meters of elevation in less than 1 km of distance – I found that the Guepard GTX climb very well. On very steep ramps (more than 15%), the firmness of the midsole is very helpful. The drop and reinforcements in the collar and heel also assist in this regard.
On flat terrain and gentle descents, running is easy, landing with the mid-to-front foot. This becomes more difficult on very steep descents, where it’s clear that the Guepard is designed for runners accustomed to heel-striking. The cushioning level in that rear area has felt more than satisfactory.
The lacing system holds perfectly, and the laces stay tied throughout the entire session without loosening, without needing to double knot them.
MID-MOUNTAIN
The next outing was also on rugged and steep terrain, but at a more relaxed pace. We went on a picnic to the panoramic summit of Nabaín. While walking, the Guepard GTX provide a cushioned step – but not overly soft – and excellent grip. They are very suitable for this type of activity, though to make the most of them, it’s best to walk briskly on ascents and, if desired, let yourself go on the descents.
The rest of the outings have mostly been on similar terrains. What changed was the weather and, therefore, the condition of the ground: hard mud, frost and ice in the early hours, muddy puddles in the afternoons… On the sub-zero morning sessions, it’s a pleasure to cross shallow streams, alternate walking sections, perform running technique exercises, enjoy brief accelerations on flat terrain, jog when the cold is biting, and get home with dry feet.
The high profile of the shoe is not for everyone, but in this case, the result is very stable. On trails and paths, I’ve had good sensations when jogging at gentle or moderate paces. And the high drop really relieves tension in the calf muscles. Additionally, that considerable layer of material is responsible for one of the big advantages of the Guepard: being able to walk and run on sharp stones without feeling them in the sole of your foot at all.
Sergio Fernández Tolosa
