Introduction
Based in 2003 with an early concentrate on mountaineering and climbing, Kailas launched its path working model FUGA in 2016. One of many high out of doors manufacturers in China, they’re now well-known in Europe. On this overview, we check out EX 330, a shoe positioned by Kailas as an extremely succesful contender and certainly round Chamonix throughout UTMB week, I noticed many runners of all ranges in FUGA sneakers with Cristian Minoggio simply dropping that epic OCC duel to Jim Walmsley whereas rocking the FUGA EX PRO.
With its large 39mm heel / 34mm forefoot stack of supercritical EVA and Vibram Megagrip outsole, cheap weight and rugged however mild mesh higher, it certain seems able to any path problem.
My preliminary testing has been diverse: a visit up a technical VK sort path in Chamonix, a quick highway and gravel run, and a stroll/hike on simple trails and pavement. Extra “trails” testing to come back, however for all three outings smiles have been large and legs completely satisfied!
Execs:
balanced mixture: comfortable, deep and responsive cushion, stability, and agility
versatile: extremely succesful and each day coaching any floor, any tempo appropriate
snug, mild and foot wrapping higher: impeccable safety and ample adjustable room for a lot of foot sorts
efficient wire primarily based AWS 3.0 lace tightening system eliminates conventional laces and provides 2 zones of adjustability
MegaGrip outsole: aggressive technical trails succesful, not in the best way on smoother terrain
Cons:
lace wire pocket might be a bit simpler to entry, minor
on the greater finish of pricing for a non plated path runner
whereas rugged and substantial considerably on the heavy facet
Stats
Pattern Weight:
males’s 10.48 oz / 297g US 9 / EU
Stack Peak: 39 mm heel / 34 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 90mm heel / 55mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot
Most comparable sneakers (together with your title subsequent to every)
Hoka Mafate 5
La Sportiva Prodigio Max
Norda 00!A
First Impressions, Match and Higher
No query the look is daring and wild with a number of considerably clashing colours and daring 330 branding promising an thrilling trip, and perhaps a quick one.
The higher is what Kailias Fuga calls XDIMesh with what seems like (confirming) aramid (Kevlar) fibers within the combine, so considerably like Matryx (non stretch and skinny) and right here in a really open weave. To not fear about particles infiltrating because the tongue gusset extends from the midfoot by way of the toe field as an interior lining and there are intensive protecting overlays alongside the rand (space simply above the outsole). No particles has snuck in throughout testing thus far.
The heel counter is sort of completely inflexible with 2 facet plastic “Fuga” clips and a rear rising part of midsole. The foot forward of the far rear doesn’t sit down the within the midsole however together with the collars and heel counter is steady and really effectively held
The AWS 3.0 lacing system makes use of cords as a substitute of conventional laces with a twin adjustment system. The entrance 2 laces could be adjusted individually from the remainder.
I’ve left the entrance adjusted cosy and have by no means since needed to modify however as ft swell the entrance could be opened up some.
My solely minor criticism is that the lace storage might be a bit extra beneficiant in stretch to make inserting the laces simpler.
The ultimate lace up is ingenious and sensible. Pull the cords tights as you want then hook the lace throughout to the lateral facet, middle the locking piece and pull..
To this point in testing, I’ve by no means needed to readjust because the cords and the higher would not stretch (even when moist) though the collars and lining do take in fairly a little bit of water even when the mesh would not.
The tongue is effectively padded and wraps the foot very effectively for a safe and cozy lockdown. Even tightened, I’ve not had any lace chunk because of the padding and middle leatherette strip
The toe bumper is sort of inflexible however by no means seen as the remainder of the maintain again to entrance is so good and there’s ample peak/quantity over the toes.
The toe field room is beneficiant, if not the broadest, with the mesh skinny sufficient for some give however non stretch. The match is true to measurement for my slender/medium ft.
The mixture of rigorously thought of parts of the higher make it excellent: versatile, not overly inflexible and scorching, flowing effectively with the stride, and safe with out being so cosy one can’t think about utilizing the shoe for ultras, as supposed.
Midsole & Platform
Kalias Fuga says the midsole is product of “responsive EVA”, and on the product web page right here saying the froth is supercritical. And it certain feels supercritical on the run with the cheap 10.48 oz / 297g US 9 weight for a lot shoe pointing that means as effectively . The midsole is comparatively comfortable and fairly bouncy, and sure,very responsive as effectively the responsive half helped by the thick Vibram MegGrip outsole which clearly (together with the higher) additionally helps stabilize the trip.
By way of really feel, the midsole reminds loads of the Mafate 5’s supercritical EVA however on a considerably narrower extra agile platform. It for certain doesn’t remind of a agency and uninteresting conventional EVA midsole.
With a 39mm heel / 34mm forefoot stack peak is clearly within the max class. At these heights path sneakers can get lumbering and clumsy however not so right here and it’s I feel because of the underfoot platform geometry (and the beforehand talked about outsole and naturally midsole foam).
At 90mm heel / 60mm midfoot / 115mm forefoot underfoot we now have a fairly distinctive platform width geometry. The heel on the far rear is definitely narrower than 90mm and cut up permitting simple landings and no sensation of again weighting with the outsole wrapping up across the edges of the heel which clearly helps stabilize after which broadening to 90mm for but extra rear stability.
Forward of that, the midfoot narrows to a really slender 60 mm at midfoot, among the many narrowest of any path shoe I can recall. This slender midfoot stays surprisingly steady because of the broader space simply to its rear and the outsole beneath in addition to the higher maintain.
The transitions by way of the midfoot have been very easy and fast in every single place I’ve taken them.
The forefoot at 115mm is reasonably broad and in line for a contemporary extremely shoe.It takes benefit of the dynamic midsole foam for a pleasant rebounding and steady toe off.
As with the higher, KALIAS delivers a effectively balanced underfoot strategy with a midsole that has loads of deep rebounding (and enjoyable) cushion, good stability, and sufficient agility for any terrain, any distance path run. It’s even glorious on the highway, and ultras can have pavement and arduous surfaces within the combine.
Outsole
The outsole is Vibram Megagrip with 4mm-6mm lugs with, as well as, mini facet Traction Lug mentioned to enhance traction as much as 25%.
Traction has been in every single place in every single place together with on the VK and sturdiness ought to be glorious. Rock safety is excellent. It’s unclear if there’s a forefoot plate. Given the entrance stiffness when flexing the shoe there could also be on of movie selection (confirming)
On agency surfaces and pavement there is no such thing as a mistaking the 330 for something however a path shoe (really feel and noise) however nonetheless there’s some flex in the direction of midfoot and the comfortable midsole retains issues notably easy on the agency, additionally making the 330 a superb door to path selection.
Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions
Sam: Steadiness and flexibility are the phrases that first come to thoughts when describing the EX 330. Whereas the graphics and colours are sort of wild and virtually cartoonish, the shoe on the run has a notable mix of vitality, pep, and easy movement for such a giant shoe, on all terrains. Enjoyable and energetic but poised and prepared for regardless of the path throws at you is the best way I’d describe the trip.
I used to be simply as snug and steady managing some tough close to Through Ferrata strikes on the VK sort path in Chamonix as I used to be winding them up on flatter gravel and pavement the place its large rebound actually stood out, reminding of the midsoles of the Mount to Coast T1 and Hoka Mafate 5 and to a sure extent the Salomon Extremely Glide
The higher continues that sense of stability and polish having on the identical time all the safety one might hope for but additionally a lightweight and extremely adjustable match with no space of the higher “overdoing it” to compensate for an additional. The AWS 3.0 lacing system is efficient in shortly customized adjusting locking within the match.
On the present pricing of $199, we’re on the greater finish for an unplated max cushion path shoe. The EX 330’s broad distance and terrain versatility, enjoyable issue, and anticipated sturdiness assist soften the pricing to a big extent making them I feel an honest worth. Whereas extremely marketed, the 330 can clearly function a one shoe path quiver for all however quick and really quick efforts.
Sam’s Rating: 9.32 /10
Trip (30%):9.3 Match (30%): 9.5 Worth (10%): 8.4 Fashion (5%): 8.2
Traction (15%):9.7 Rock Safety (10%): 9.7
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3 Comparisons
Hoka Mafate 5 (RTR Overview)
The Mafate 5 is considerebly greater stack at 45 mm heel / 37 mm forefoot. It’s 20 mm broader at midfoot on the bottom and 0.4 oz heavier at 10.85 oz / 308g US9. It isn’t practically as agile and fast feeling because of this even when its midsole foam has an analogous comfortable and bouncy really feel. The Mafate 5 higher is clearly greater quantity and never as safe (if nonetheless respectable) because the 330’s. The Hoka has no gusset tongue and desires one. By way of trip the EX 330 leans each quicker and extra agile whereas the Hoka extra steady and planted (that broad midfoot higher and platform) however solely you probably have a nigh quantity foot which may reap the benefits of its higher quantity.. Because of the match points and weight variations and total extra agile faster trip I choose the 330 on this march up.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max (RTR Overview)
Footwear with very related intent, lengthy technical terrain ultras the Max and EX 330 are shut rivals. Barely decrease stack peak at 37/31 the Sportiva weighs about the identical. Its higher may be very very safe, to a fault actually with its toe field mesh even for me at half measurement up on the low quantity facet as a consequence of its extra inflexible paper mesh and extra intensive toe bumper. The remainder of its higher works effectively for me.
Whereas the 330 has a single slab of froth, the Max has an outer EVA provider with an interior comfortable supercritical core. Its platform width is an identical to the Fuga however for the midfoot the place it has a 12mm wider measurement at 72mm making it extra intrinsically extra steady but additionally not fairly as fast in transition because the 330. The Sportiva Frixxion outsole provides nothing to the Vibram on the Kailas, each are glorious. Selecting between these two is hard. I very barely choose the Sportiva total for its extra planted really feel and but smoother roll below the “assumption” that going a full measurement up from my regular would assist with the toe field quantity points.
Norda 001A (RTR Overview)
The Norda is barely decrease stack and barely lighter however $94 greater than the 330. For that premium you get a broader becoming toe field, an excellent premium Dyneema primarily based higher mesh and within the 001A, a extra reactive (contrasting to the 330”s bouncy) new Arnitel mix midsole foam. Each share MegaGrip outsoles. The 330 has considerably higher rear maintain, each have nice midfoot maintain, with the Norda’s toe field broader and extra snug whereas remaining equally as effectively held. The 330 will do considerably higher for me on technical trails whereas the Norda will likely be my selection for all the pieces else. The Fuga is a greater worth total.
All RTR evaluations: HERE
Newest Opinions-chronological order HERE
The FUGA EX 330 and all of the FUGA sequence sneakers can be found now
KAILAS FUGA
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Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th yr of working roads and trails. He has a many years previous 2:28 marathon PR. Lately he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountaineering or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he isn’t having fun with too many fantastic New England IPA’s.
Samples have been offered at no cost for overview functions. No compensation was offered by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are completely the authors’.
