Kailas FUGA EX PRO: Review and Verdict

Kailas has entered the market with a carbon-plated shoe built for technical trails and ultras. Although the Chinese brand is not yet widely known in Europe, this model deserves far more than a passing glance. Kailas is Asia’s leading mountaineering brand, better known for ropes and harnesses than trail shoes. But with the FUGA EX PRO, it has produced a carbon-plated super shoe with plenty going for it. And its results in the field are already starting to speak for themselves.

From May 18 to 21, 2026, 20 carefully selected testers got to try the Kailas FUGA EX PRO at the inaugural Trail Test Camp, organised by MY TRAILS in partnership with FINISHERS in Le Lioran, Cantal. Designed for trail performance, the shoe combines a Vibram Megagrip outsole offering up to 30% more traction, LITEBASE technology reducing weight by 30%, and the Traction Lug system improving grip by 25%. Its multi-zone outsole, with 4 and 6 mm lugs, lateral anti-slip sections, and dedicated traction and braking zones, delivers precise, adaptable grip across all types of terrain. Cushioning comes from a full-length supercritical TPU foam, providing excellent energy return, while an X-shaped carbon plate optimises propulsion and reduces energy expenditure with every stride. The XDiMESH technical mesh upper combines low weight, breathability and durability, while the dual-locking AWS 3.0 lacing system enhances foothold and stability, particularly on descents.

What the Trail Test Camp testers thought

The Kailas FUGA EX PRO presents itself as a performance platform for technical high-mountain running, standing out in the Trail-Race category for its durability and dependable grip.

From the first try-on, the Kailas FUGA EX PRO delivers a high-quality, welcoming fit, wrapping the foot evenly and precisely. Testers found the mesh robust and adequately breathable, contributing to an immediate sense of security. The lacing system is more divisive: the dual adjustment is a smart option for tightening the toe box and instep separately, but some testers remained unconvinced in practice, mainly because there is no lace garage for the lower section.

On the move, foothold and stability are among the shoe’s strongest points. The upper locks the foot down effectively, preventing unwanted movement on steep ground and pronounced side slopes. That stability is reinforced by a well-balanced sole that makes it possible to maintain precise foot placement on unstable terrain. In terms of responsiveness, the shoe is more nuanced. It delivers a decent toe-off on technical trails, but its weight and firm cushioning hold it back on flat, fast-running sections. For some testers, it lacks the snap expected from a racing shoe, favouring security over outright speed.

Traction and grip are the Kailas FUGA EX PRO’s defining technical strengths. The deep-lugged outsole provides effective traction on loose ground, mud and rocky terrain. Grip is reliable across most surfaces, although it can occasionally lose some effectiveness on wet slabs of rock. Protection is comprehensive: the toe bumper feels exceptionally tough against impacts, while the substantial outsole filters out ground irregularities and preserves foot comfort over time.

➜ This model is aimed at experienced runners and competitors tackling demanding mountain terrain. The Kailas FUGA EX PRO is a strong choice for Skyrace-style events and technical mid-distance trails, where grip, stability and protection from the elements matter more than absolute lightness.

This shoe is clearly designed for technical trail running and fast outings. It offers good ground feel, which enhances feedback and precision on demanding terrain, although that comes with more limited cushioning and a more direct ride. The lacing system may take a little time to get used to at first, but it soon becomes simple and effective to handle, providing a secure foothold. Its construction adapts to different foot shapes, with a fit that remains broadly versatile. It is particularly well suited to Skyrace-style events, where you want a balance between speed and technical terrain.
MarieInterior designer

This model stands out for its robust, confidence-inspiring construction, designed for mountain and technical terrain. The durable upper, combined with well-placed reinforcements at the front and rear of the foot, provides dependable support throughout the run. More pronounced lugs along the outer zones deliver good traction and contribute to stability, increasing confidence on demanding sections. The result is a secure, smooth ride, particularly on challenging trails. The quick-lace system works well and allows fast adjustment, although stowing the laces may take a little getting used to. The shoe also has a slightly firmer, less breathable construction than some more minimalist models, which contributes to its protective feel. It is a reliable option for runners looking for support, stability and security on technical terrain.
JuliaNurse

The Kailas FUGA EX PRO stands out for its particularly robust construction, offering excellent protection for the foot and ankle. It inspires confidence on demanding terrain, thanks in particular to its heightened sense of security. Traction is highly effective, making it suitable for a wide range of technical surfaces, whether rocky, mountainous or wet. Overall stability is another strong point, contributing to a reassuring stride through difficult sections. All in all, it is an ideal shoe for runners who prioritise security, support and grip on technical terrain.
ClémentSports physiotherapist

Kailas FUGA EX PRO: a carbon-plated rocket straight from China

The trail super-shoe market has taken shape over just a few seasons around a handful of brands, including Hoka, Asics and Salomon. Names everyone knows. Kailas, by contrast, is not on that list. The Chinese brand, founded in Guangzhou in 2003, built its reputation on climbing equipment and technical mountaineering, not on the UTMB trails. So when it arrives with a carbon-plated shoe positioned against the best in the category, the surprise is understandable.

Except that the Kailas FUGA EX PRO had already been spotted on plenty of feet at UTMB 2025. And not just on local runners: athletes fighting for podiums, such as China’s Jiaju Zhao and Italy’s Cristian Minoggio, were wearing them too.

An X-shaped carbon plate: the real technical gamble

While most competitors opt for a conventional full-length plate, Kailas has developed an X-shaped plate designed to improve traction uphill and acceleration on flat ground and gentle slopes. It is an original idea rooted in the brand’s mountain background: in climbing, X-shaped anchor points are more resistant to multidirectional forces. Applied to a trail shoe’s sole, the concept makes sense. On technical trails such as those in the Alps, forces never act in a single direction.

The supercritical TPU foam surrounding the plate delivers a 70 to 72% rebound rate, and that is not just marketing talk: independent testing by RunRepeat confirmed those figures. On this point, the shoe can match the best models on the market across all categories, including road shoes. For a trail shoe with a thick lugged outsole, that is a genuine achievement. Pulling on the Kailas FUGA EX PRO means stepping into a dynamic, fast ride. It is a strong fit for runners chasing performance and looking for pronounced rebound underfoot.

An X-shaped plate, 70% lab-confirmed rebound and Vibram Megagrip. On paper, the Kailas FUGA EX PRO has nothing to be embarrassed about next to the category leaders.

Vibram Megagrip Litebase: grip without the extra grams

For the outsole, Kailas chose the Vibram Megagrip and Litebase combination. It is a lighter version of Megagrip rubber that cuts outsole weight by 30% without compromising traction. The design is divided into five distinct zones, with 4 mm lugs on the inside and 6 mm lugs on the outside, delivering precise grip through corners and on steep descents. This kind of highly specific zoning is usually found on products from brands with years of experience. But Kailas already has considerable product expertise thanks to its mountain background. The brand went further in the outsole design, analysing precisely how different areas of the foot work and interact with the sole and the terrain. As a result, the lugs are more durable in high-impact areas.

XDiMESH and AWS 3.0: an upper developed in-house

The XDiMESH upper is Kailas’s own technology. It is a multidimensional mesh that is 40% more breathable, 37% lighter and 20% more abrasion-resistant than previous generations. For a shoe aimed at ultra-distance running, breathability is anything but a minor detail. It can prevent blisters after four hours of effort and save a race. It is therefore encouraging to see the Chinese brand focus so closely on an essential detail of performance. Another noteworthy feature is the bi-zone AWS 3.0 lacing system, with one lace for the midfoot and another for the forefoot. This makes it possible to manage foot swelling on descents without putting too much pressure on the toes. Kailas shows an impressive level of precision here.

Last but not least, the FUGA EX PRO is priced at €250. Yes, that puts it in super-shoe territory, but it is already in the same price bracket as a Nike Ultrafly or a HOKA Tecton X. For a brand that is virtually unknown in Europe, that will certainly give some runners pause. But it is also the price of a level of finish and materials worthy of the market’s biggest names. It is a clear statement from Kailas, which is not necessarily trying to win customers through low prices. The Chinese brand wants to compete with the best, and it is making no secret of that ambition. The product looks more than ready in its first version. Naturally, quality comes at a price.

Proven on the biggest races. Cristian Minoggio finished second at the UTMB 2025 OCC in the Kailas FUGA EX PRO, and the shoe carried athletes to 96 podiums in its first season, including 23 wins. That is huge. With results like these, the shoe is beginning to attract attention from the trail-running world far beyond Asia.

The Kailas FUGA EX PRO is made for…

► Performance-focused runners who want propulsion and grip on technical terrain

► Runners looking for a fresh alternative to the established leaders on the market

► Narrow feet (beware if you have wide feet, as the shoe runs narrow)

► Ultra runners who want a carbon plate without sacrificing all-terrain versatility

Kailas Fuga EX Pro black white orange trail shoe

Kailas FUGA EX PRO specifications

► Weight : 275 g (men’s)

► Drop : 5 mm

► Stack : 35 mm / 30 mm

► X-shaped carbon plate

► Smooth Speed Assist technology

► Grip : Vibram Megagrip Litebase

► Terrain : Mixed, technical

► Use : Long distance

The Kailas FUGA EX PRO is probably the most surprising shoe in the trail super-shoe segment right now. We were not really expecting Kailas to make a play in this space, yet the numbers are there, and so are the podiums. The real question is the price: €250 is what you would pay for an established brand with a decade of trail credibility behind it. For a brand most European runners are only just discovering, that is a gamble. But it is a gamble that makes sense given what the shoe offers. A carbon plate, an ultra-responsive foam, a Vibram outsole and a highly refined mesh upper… If the FUGA EX PRO lives up to what it promises on paper, Kailas will be a brand to watch in the years ahead.