Found this while testing the latest GriefDefender release. Swapping items is overriding existing player speed settings until the player moves and reapplies the claim's speed setting.
The GD developer pointed this out as the probable cause.
https://github.com/EpicBanItemTeam/AmberAdvancedAttributes/blob/refactor/src/main/scala/team/ebi/aaa/attribute/impl/MovementSpeedAttribute.scala#L23-L24