Kailas Fuga EX Pro Review

Kailas Fuga EX Pro Carbon Plated Trail Running Shoe Review

Kailas may still be a relatively unknown brand in the UK trail running scene but that's rapidly starting to change as they begin to get more exposure and pop up on starting lines across the country. With that in mind, the folks at Kailas Fuga sent the GBUR team a pair of the EX Pro to see how their top-tier offerings could handle UK soil.

Kailas Fuga EX Pro Spec

• Stack Height: 35mm heel / 30mm forefoot
• Drop: 5mm
• Midsole: Full-length supercritical TPU foam with an X-shaped carbon-fibre plate
• Outsole: Vibram Megagrip (4mm lug depth)
• Upper: XDiMesh
• Price: Around £214 (€250)

Fuga EX Pro Fit and Upper

Let’s talk about the fit first, because it’s going to be the deciding factor for a lot of runners. Like other Kailas shoes, the EX Pro isn’t a particularly wide shoe. If we were to compare them to a more well-known brand, they have a very similar fit to Salomon. For those with mid-to-narrow feet, they fit well and contour to the foot shape nicely. However, if you have a wider foot and need a little more volume you may struggle slightly.

The upper is constructed from an ultra-durable XDiMesh. During our test miles, it proved to be incredibly breathable with excellent airflow, while still featuring enough overlays to provide protection against rocks and trail debris.

A standout feature is the clever AWS lacing system. It’s very similar to Salomon’s Quicklace setup but with one advantage, you get two toggles instead of one. This gives you a lot more flexibility to get a personalised fit and a secure heel lock. If you read our recent review of the Kailas Fuga EX330, you’ll know we’re already big fans of this dual-toggle design. The neoprene gusseted tongue is on the thinner side but Kailas has managed to work in just enough padding to prevent lace bite, and there’s a handy lace pocket to stow away the excess cord. You also get a moderate, comfortable amount of padding around the collar and heel.

Kailas Fuga EX Pro Performance

Carbon plates in trail shoes can be a divisive topic. Sometimes they make a shoe feel overly stiff and disconnected from the trail, which is the last thing you want on technical terrain. Thankfully, Kailas has avoided this trap.

The EX Pro features an X-shaped carbon-fibre plate sandwiched inside a full-length supercritical TPU foam midsole. During testing, they felt incredibly well-balanced, nimble and responsive. The X-design of the plate seems to give the shoe more flex than you’d typically expect from a carbon-plated racer. It delivers a nice sweet spot, you get the snappy performance and energy return of the plate but you still maintain a good connection with the ground beneath you.

To combat the inherent instability of a 35mm stack height on uneven ground, Kailas has given the EX Pro a wider base and higher midsole sidewalls. These sidewalls work in tandem with the carbon plate to create a supportive platform that catches the foot when you start to fatigue on those longer distances.

Grip And Traction

Underfoot, you get a Vibram Megagrip outsole featuring 4mm lugs with varied shapes and multi-directional placement. Vibram Megagrip is always a welcome sight in the UK and it provides a highly dependable level of traction over a variety of surfaces. While 4mm lugs might not be deep enough for a mid-winter bog fest, they are perfectly suited for hard-packed trails, rocky mountainous terrain and mixed woodland paths.

Final Verdict: Are Kailas Fuga Ex Pro Carbon Plated Tail Shoes Good?

Overall, we came away genuinely impressed with the EX Pro in terms of fit, performance and traction. The AWS lacing system works exceptionally well and the flexible nature of the carbon plate is a massive plus for technical trail running.

The only real downside for us is the price point. Coming in at around £214, it is undeniably an expensive investment. You generally expect to pay a premium for a high-end, carbon-plated racing shoe but if that price tag could be pulled down just a little bit, this shoe would be an absolute steal.

Who Is The Kailas Fuga Ex Pro for? 

Bear in mind that this is a high-performance trail racing shoe, it’s not going to be suitable for all types of runners or casual weekend plods. However, if price isn't an issue, or if you're actively in the market for a high-end performance shoe, the Kailas Fuga EX Pro is ideal for experienced trail runners taking on mountainous races and technical terrain. If you want control and protection on difficult surfaces without sacrificing flexibility and speed, this could be your new secret weapon. And if you need any proof of its elite credentials, Italian runner Cristian Minoggio just won the 2026 UTMB CCC in 10:21:48 wearing a pair of EX Pros. If they can handle a winning 100km tear through the Alps, they can certainly handle race day on UK soil.

Kailas Fuga EX Pro

Kailas Fuga EX Pro - £214