Preface

Kailas, this brand needs no further introduction. The slogan 'Only for Climbing' is well-known. Climbing and mountaineering are inherently dangerous sports. Although the sport itself is niche, brands specializing in such equipment always provide a sense of security. After all, this is life-dependent gear, and the quality must be guaranteed.

In terms of the product itself, Kailas uses some of the best materials among domestic brands. International top-tier sports fabrics and materials like Gore-Tex, Vibram, and eVent are all featured in Kailas's sports equipment. As functional apparel, the robustness of the materials used is a testament to whether a brand is dedicated to making quality products. In this regard, Kailas is particularly impressive.

This review is about the Kailas Fuga PRO/Flying Wing. The Kailas Flying Wing and Flying Wing 2.0 have been seen in every trail race last year and this year. I have long wanted to try them, but I have some reservations about using GTX uppers for running shoes (I have sweaty feet, and waterproof uppers tend to trap more water inside than outside). However, the upgrades in this Fuga PRO caught my eye. It abandons the GTX upper, upgrades cushioning, reduces weight by 30%, and retains the Vibram Megagrip outsole. This is simply the perfect configuration. I applied for it decisively and thank Ms. Guan for giving me this valuable review opportunity.

Unboxing

A plain corrugated cardboard box with a size chart on the back. It's a bit too plain; the packaging design could use some improvement.

Upon opening the shoe box, I found a thoughtful waterproof shoe bag. The shoe bag is very sturdy, made of tear-resistant grid fabric. After running in the mountains, you can safely throw your shoes in it. Since it's waterproof, there won't be any odors.

Then there's the Fuga PRO itself. Honestly, the color scheme is a bit too flashy... but I like it. Currently, this is the only color option.

The Fuga PRO is very lightweight. A size 44 weighs only 295.5g, which is comparable to most sub-top-tier running shoes.

The upper uses breathable mesh with heat-welded overlays. The two circles in the front are also stitched. The single-layer mesh has excellent water permeability, but for running shoes, this means insufficient wrapping. This is likely why the Fuga PRO uses heat-welded overlays with additional edging.

To demonstrate, I threw in a headlamp. It's really thin, which means the Fuga PRO has excellent breathability. Personally, I think drainage is more important than waterproofing in trail running. If you accidentally step into a puddle, shoes with good drainage will dry naturally after running for 20 minutes. Waterproof shoes, once water gets in, will probably never dry.

The coverage of the heat-welded overlays is quite extensive, so there's no issue with wrapping. The laces are designed with a diagonal opening. The laces themselves are quick-lacing, and the last lace hole on the outside is open.

The midsole is officially described as ECCEVAI super elastic midsole. According to Baidu, it's a type of calibrated second-foamed EVA, commonly known as phylon. In short, it's a type of EVA material, and it feels very light and bouncy.

The outsole is the high-end mainstream trail running shoe standard Vibram Megagrip, which is currently the best outsole for slippery surfaces. The Tire Tech car tire arc design mentioned by the official description isn't noticeable, but the shape and length of the lugs feel good. The approximately 3mm lugs are currently the standard for all-terrain trail running shoes, offering good grip and relatively light weight.

The Kort breathable and sweat-wicking insole appears to have a front half made of ortholite-like foam and a back half wrapped in EVA material to increase elasticity.

Additionally, the Fuga PRO thoughtfully includes a gaiter holder (sand protection cover attachment point). The sand protection cover needs to be purchased separately (must be compatible with the gaiter; Velcro and foot strap types won't work).

Field Test

I have Roman foot shape (wide last). My road running shoes are size 43.5, and my trail running shoes are size 44. The sizing of the Fuga PRO is quite accurate.

The cushioning and lightweight nature of the Fuga PRO are its major highlights. On relatively smooth downhill sections, it's simply a tool for overtaking.

The breathability was already anticipated during unboxing. The single-layer mesh has excellent breathability, ensuring dry feet during long periods of exercise.

The wrapping is relatively lacking, possibly due to the quick-lacing system. However, since it's the Fuga PRO, the pros probably won't mind much. Still, I strongly recommend releasing a lace-up version.

Grip: The wet ground grip of the Vibram Megagrip itself is unquestionable. I tested it mainly on sandy and gravel roads. The downhill feeling is great; as long as there's a solid support point, you can brake easily.

Protection: The Fuga PRO's ability to keep out sand and stones is quite good. The upper is very dense, so small thorns and sand rarely get in. However, the fabric around the shoe opening tends to catch plant thorns or seeds. In areas with dense vegetation, it's best to use a sand protection cover.

Summary

The Fuga PRO can be described as a nearly perfect ultra-long-distance mixed-terrain trail running shoe. Suitable for entry-level trail runners and ultra-long-distance trails that aren't extremely harsh (experts, please ignore).