The Kailas FUGA EX PRO is the top-of-range carbon-plated ultra trail racer from FUGA, the running brand under the Kailas umbrella (think of the Kailas-FUGA relationship a little like Decathlon and KIPRUN). The shoe still carries Kailas branding, but FUGA is the name to remember. The EX range is Kailas FUGA’s rugged, running-focused ultra line. The EX PRO sits at the top, built for elites and ambitious amateurs who want to race long and fast. This is the first Kailas FUGA shoe I have tested, and I came away genuinely blown away. It competes with the Hoka Tecton X, the Nike ACG Ultrafly and the Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra, and it belongs in that company.
Upper and Fit of the Kailas FUGA EX PRO
What works for me
The upper is a strong surprise. It is a multi-dimensional mesh with TPU overlays, a toe bumper for forefoot protection, and a dual-zone lacing system where the forefoot adjusts independently from the rest. It uses a quick-lace mechanism that tucks neatly into a lace pocket, and a fully gusseted tongue that is a big part of why the comfort is so good. The comfort does not come from the mesh so much as from a special lining inside, and that same lining is used for the tongue gusset. Lockdown is excellent, thanks to the lace system and full gusset working together, and the heel is super stout with a secure heel pocket your foot sits into well. For a weight-managed race shoe, this upper balances comfort and technicality really well.
What doesn’t work for me
Two small things. The fit is race-oriented, not narrow or snug exactly, but closer-fitting with limited room for swelling, which is worth knowing for ultra distances. If your feet swell a lot over long races, either plan a second pair like the pros, or go half a size up. I would stick with true to size myself unless you are targeting a 100-miler. And personally, I would prefer a classic lacing system over the quick-lace mechanism, though that is a preference rather than a fault. The forefoot protection is also on the lighter side, a deliberate trade-off for weight.
Midsole and Ride of the Kailas FUGA EX PRO
What works for me
The midsole is the star. It is a super-critical pelleted TPU compound, and you can see the pellets if you look closely. The rebound is phenomenal, genuinely more than most ultra trail shoes, which tend to prioritise cushion and compliance over return. The EX PRO gives a little less plush cushion than the softest ultra shoes, but the energy return is on another level. It is a system too: the TPU works with an X-shaped carbon plate that drives lever-like propulsion, especially in the forefoot where you really feel it. The shoe is also highly decoupled, so it adapts to uneven ground, letting your heel sit in the air over a rock or absorb the asymmetry that trail running constantly throws at you.
I ran it on very technical, rocky but runnable terrain in the south of France, plus roads and packed gravel, and I was blown away on the first run. It feels built for fast ultra trail runners, and it instantly made clear why Kailas FUGA has become one of the top contenders in trail, with huge numbers of runners spotted in the brand at UTMB.
What doesn’t work for me
The ride itself has little to criticise for its intended use. It is less cushioned than some ultra shoes, so if you want maximal plush softness for slow, long days on brutal terrain, this is firmer and more performance-biased. But that is the design brief, not a flaw.
Outsole of the Kailas FUGA EX PRO
Grip and Traction
The outsole is a Lightbase Vibram Megagrip with five different zones. It has lugs ranging from 4mm in the centre to 6mm on the edges, so there is real technicality built in. I never felt let down by it on technical, rocky, dry terrain. I did not test it wet, so I cannot comment on wet or alpine single-track performance, but on dry Mediterranean terrain it was excellent.
Durability
This is the one real concern. On rocky terrain, the exposed super-critical TPU midsole already took a hole punched straight through it. Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not, but a thin protective film over the exposed midsole would help protect it and extend the shoe’s lifespan. Worth watching if you run a lot of sharp, rocky ground.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At €250 (around $300, roughly $320 after tax), the EX PRO sits in the premium carbon ultra bracket, competing with shoes already priced at €280, €300, even €350. In that company, €250 is fair, arguably good, given how much tech and performance it packs. This is a niche, high-performance segment, and the EX PRO delivers enough to justify the price if you are the target runner
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
The EX PRO is a carbon-plated ultra trail racer for fast, long efforts. It is at its best on runnable technical terrain and fast, less vertical ultras, the super-runnable Western States type of course, say a 50k with only 1,000m of climbing. Furthermore, it slots in as the race-day and fast-session shoe in a trail rotation, paired with a softer, more protective daily trail trainer for easy miles. It suits ambitious amateurs and elites chasing speed over distance, less so runners who want maximal cushioned comfort for slow mountain days.
Final Verdict
The Kailas FUGA EX PRO blew me away. The super-critical TPU midsole and X-shaped carbon plate deliver phenomenal rebound and propulsion. The upper balances comfort and weight cleverly, and the five-zone Vibram outsole grips confidently on dry technical ground. It is light for everything it carries, and it feels like a true fast-ultra race shoe. The durability of the exposed midsole is a genuine question, and the quick-lace system will divide opinion, but neither undoes how good this shoe is. If you have not heard of Kailas FUGA yet, you will, because they are shipping products like this. For me, this is where performance meets technicality, and it is one of the most exciting trail shoes I have run this year.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Kailas FUGA EX PRO vs Hoka Tecton X 4
The Tecton X is the obvious reference in the carbon-plated ultra trail category. That said, the two take different routes to the same goal. Hoka’s Tecton X leans on parallel carbon plates and the brand’s typically softer, more cushioned platform, which favours comfort over long, rough days. The Kailas FUGA EX PRO counters with its X-shaped plate and a super-critical pelleted TPU midsole that returns noticeably more energy, trading a little plush softness for standout rebound and propulsion. If you prioritise maximal cushioned comfort on brutal terrain, the Tecton X leans that way. If you want explosive energy return and a faster, more propulsive ride on runnable technical ground, the EX PRO makes a compelling case, with the caveat of the exposed-midsole durability question.
Kailas FUGA EX PRO Quick Questions
What is the Kailas FUGA EX PRO best used for?
Fast ultra trail racing, especially on runnable technical terrain and less vertical courses. It is a carbon-plated performance shoe, not a slow mountain cruiser.
Does the EX PRO have a carbon plate?
Yes. It uses a distinctive X-shaped carbon plate that works with the super-critical TPU midsole to deliver lever-like propulsion, strongest in the forefoot.
Does the FUGA EX PRO fit true to size?
Yes, true to size in length with a race-oriented fit. If your feet swell over long ultras, consider half a size up or a second pair like the pros use.
Is the EX PRO cushioned or firm?
It is firmer than the softest ultra shoes, with less plush cushion but far more rebound. It favours energy return and performance over maximal softness.
How is the EX PRO’s grip?
Excellent on dry, technical, rocky terrain, using a five-zone Lightbase Vibram Megagrip outsole with 4mm to 6mm lugs. I have not had a chance to test it in the wet.
Is durability a concern with the EX PRO?
Potentially. The exposed super-critical TPU midsole took a hole on rocky terrain. It may not be a dealbreaker, but it is worth monitoring on sharp ground.
Who makes Kailas FUGA?
FUGA is the running brand under the Kailas umbrella, similar to how KIPRUN sits under Decathlon. The shoe still carries Kailas branding, but FUGA is the key name.
Is the EX Pro worth €250?
Yes. It competes with carbon ultra shoes priced at €280 to €350. So at €250 it is fair to good value for the tech and performance it delivers.
