Kailas Fuga EX330 Review: 250 Miles of Mud, Rock and Mountains
Written by Andy Hood · Ultra runner, cancer survivor and Runna ambassador
Published 20 October 2026
Article contains affiliate codes/links which support this blog and the cancer charity work Andy undertakes.
Overall rating: 8/10
In short: The Kailas Fuga EX330 is a max-cushioned ultra trail running shoe with a 39mm heel, 34mm forefoot (5mm drop), a supercritical EVA foam midsole and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 6mm and 4mm lugs. After 250+ miles of Arc of Attrition mud, Chamonix rock and South West Coast Path training, I rate it 8/10: brilliant grip, comfort and stability, let down only by a lace pocket that's too snug late in an ultra.
The Kailas Fuga EX330 (sometimes listed as the EX 330) entered my rotation in late 2025, and it fast became my go-to trail shoe for 2026. It will likely be my go-to for 2027 too. It joined the Hoka Tecton X2 and the Hoka Speedgoat 5. The Tecton has served me well. The Speedgoat less so: it felt heavy and unresponsive.
If you're new to my reviews, firstly, welcome. Secondly, these aren't your usual reviews, where someone runs 7 or 8 miles in a shoe, declares it the best or worst they've ever worn and uploads it to YouTube. I may love a shoe at 8 miles and hate it by 50. So I run at least 50 miles in every shoe before I even consider telling you about it.
The EX330 currently has just north of 250 miles in it. And it's seen some action.
In this Kailas Fuga EX330 review:
Kailas Fuga EX330 Review: The Quick Verdict
Rating: 8/10. The Kailas Fuga EX330 is a cushioned, max-stack ultra trail shoe that feels far lighter than it looks. It grips brilliantly in mud and on loose rock. The supercritical foam soaks up rough ground without feeling unstable. It loses two points for one thing: a lace pocket that's too snug to use easily late in an ultra.
Kailas Fuga EX330 | At a glance |
Best for | Ultras, long mountain days, muddy and rocky technical trails |
Not ideal for | Runners who want ground feel, or short, fast efforts |
Weight | 285g (EU 42) |
Stack / drop | 39mm heel / 34mm forefoot, 5mm drop |
Midsole | Supercritical EVA foam, no plate |
Outsole / lugs | Vibram Megagrip, 6mm and 4mm lugs |
Price | £160 / around €180 / $199 |
Miles tested | 250+ |
My rating | 8/10 |
Who Makes the Kailas Fuga EX330?
Kailas is a Chinese mountain sports brand, founded in 2003 in Guangzhou and named after the sacred Himalayan peak Mount Kailash. It started out making mountaineering and climbing gear. Its trail running line, Fuga, launched in 2016. You'll increasingly see Fuga shoes on European start lines. Kailas sponsors TorX, the organisation behind the Tor des Géants, and its athletes race at UTMB. The EX330 takes its name from the TORX 330 endurance race and was field-tested by Kailas Fuga athlete Franco Collé.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Specs: Stack Height, Drop, Foam and Lugs
Spec | Kailas Fuga EX330 |
Category | Ultra-distance trail running shoe |
Weight | 285g (EU 42), about 25g lighter than the first-generation EX330 |
Stack height | 39mm heel / 34mm forefoot |
Heel-to-toe drop | 5mm |
Midsole | Supercritical EVA foam |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip with Litebase and Traction Lug |
Lug depth | 6mm (sides) / 4mm (centre and rear) |
Upper | XDiMESH engineered mesh with TPU film |
Lacing | Kailas AWS 3.0 two-zone quick lacing |
Plate | None |
Price | £160 / around €180 / $199 |
Kailas Fuga EX330 Stack Height and Drop
The EX330 has a 39mm heel and a 34mm forefoot, giving a 5mm heel-to-toe drop. That puts it right up near the 40mm stack limit for racing. A few Kailas product listings show an 8mm drop, but the brand's spec table and most reviewers use 5mm.
What Midsole Foam Is in the Kailas Fuga EX330?
The EX330 uses a supercritical EVA foam midsole. Kailas says it is 21% thicker and gives 23% more rebound than the EVA-based ECCEVAI foam in the Fuga EX 3. There's no carbon plate. If you want a plate, that's the Fuga EX Pro.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Outsole and Lug Depth
The outsole is Vibram Megagrip, with two Vibram technologies built in:
Traction Lug: small nubs on each lug add contact area. Vibram claims up to 25% more traction.
Litebase: a thinner rubber base that keeps the same lug pattern. Vibram says it cuts sole weight by up to 30%.
The lugs are dual-depth. 6mm lugs run around the edges for grip when turning and for stability. 4mm lugs sit in the centre and at the rear for push-off and braking. Mud-draining channels help the sole stay clear in wet, muddy conditions.
How I Tested the Kailas Fuga EX330
The EX330's first outing was an extremely muddy Arc of Attrition, the UTMB winter event on the South West Coast Path in Cornwall. The 100-mile runners faced a severe storm that ended many a race. I was running the marathon distance on the Sunday. After 48 hours of torrential rain, Sunday was a blue-sky day, but the trails were thick with mud and at times a running river of it.
Since then, it's done multiple long training runs on the South West Coast Path and on the Moors, and most recently the Maverick Jurassic Coast, where the single track gave it another chance to impress. It's also done multiple runs on the trails around Chamonix.
Chamonix trails have everything: rocks the size of cars, rivers of loose stone and sharp rock you'd easily feel through many midsoles. That sets the scene for where the EX330 has performed well for me.
What Is the Kailas Fuga EX330 Like to Run In?
Kailas Fuga EX330 Weight: Lighter Than It Looks
Look at the shoe and your first thought might be "that's going to weigh a bit". It looks chunky. Slip it on and your thoughts change to how incredibly light it feels.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Fit and Comfort
When reviewers say a shoe fits their foot shape, or fits like a glove, I'll usually roll my eyes. But let me lay this down here: the EX330 perfectly fits my foot shape, and it fits like a glove. So much so that you actually forget you have it on.
That's down to a clever combination:
the Vibram Megagrip Litebase sole, which sheds weight
the supercritical midsole foam, which takes every rock you throw at it yet feels surprisingly light
the breathable XDiMESH upper
Kailas's AWS 3.0 lacing, which locks down securely without putting pressure on the top of the foot
If it sounds like I'm about to give this shoe a 10/10, hold on. It has its faults, and you should know about them before spending around €180 on a pair.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Cushioning on Rocky Trails
The midsole soaks up the rocks. Car-sized boulders, loose scree and sharp rock around Chamonix: the EX330 absorbs it all, with plenty of energy return.
Is the Kailas Fuga EX330 Stable?
Yes. My initial concern was an unstable ride, given the amount of foam. That was unfounded. I find the EX330 a very stable shoe, and I've never been worried about rolling an ankle.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Grip in Mud and on Loose Descents
The outsole is what you'd expect from Vibram: excellent. The lug pattern and depth grip. On the Arc, where many a runner was sliding in front of me, I had the confidence to put my foot down. I knew the EX330 would hold, and it did.
In Chamonix, I took it on a fast descent from La Flégère down the service road. If you've been on it, you'll know it's steep and best described as a river of stones: less running, more sledging. The EX330 held firm.
Kailas Fuga EX330 vs Hoka Speedgoat 5
The EX330 has replaced the Speedgoat 5 as my long-day trail shoe. Both are big-stack, cushioned trail shoes, but the Speedgoat felt heavy and unresponsive to me. The EX330 feels light and gives plenty back.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Problems: The Lace Pocket
There are problems. Actually, to be fair, there's one problem: the lace storage.
The AWS 3.0 system is excellent, but it leaves a toggle and lace that need storing somewhere if they're not going to catch on a root or rock. Kailas has built a pocket into the tongue, and it's a snug design. Just a little too snug.
It's fine when you first lace up. But several hours into a challenging ultra, when your fingers have lost some of their fine motor skills and your brain is following, the pocket is frustrating. I've got annoyed with it more than once.
In Chamonix this year I bought a pair of Fuga EX Pro Gaiters. Their pocket is made of fabric and elastic, a much improved design. I can already see it would be better after many hours. The Pro doesn't have enough miles on it for a review yet, but that's coming.
Kailas Fuga EX330 Pros and Cons
Pros
Feels incredibly light for a max-stack shoe
Fits like a glove, to the point you forget it's on
Supercritical foam soaks up sharp, rocky terrain with plenty of energy return
Very stable despite the big stack
Excellent Vibram Megagrip grip in deep mud and on loose descents
AWS 3.0 lacing locks down without pressure on the top of the foot
Looks great
Cons
Tongue lace pocket is too snug to use easily with tired fingers late in an ultra
At around €180, it's a significant investment
Is the Kailas Fuga EX330 Worth It? Final Verdict
So what's my overall rating? I'll give the Kailas Fuga EX330 an 8/10.
Outsole grip, comfort, responsiveness and overall look are all excellent, and worth the price tag. After 250 miles of Cornish mud and Chamonix rock, it's my go-to trail shoe. It loses two points for the lace pocket, which does frustrate me. If you run ultras or long days on technical, muddy trails, the EX330 deserves a place in your rotation.
Who Should Buy the Kailas Fuga EX330?
Ultra runners who want cushioning that still feels light hours into a race
Runners on muddy, wet trails, such as the South West Coast Path in winter
Mountain runners tackling rocky, technical terrain and loose descents
Anyone moving on from the Hoka Speedgoat who wants a lighter, more responsive max-stack shoe
If you want ground feel or a shoe for short, fast efforts, look elsewhere.
Kailas Fuga EX330 FAQs
What is the stack height of the Kailas Fuga EX330?
The Kailas Fuga EX330 has a 39mm heel stack and a 34mm forefoot stack.
What is the heel-to-toe drop of the Kailas Fuga EX330?
The EX330 has a 5mm heel-to-toe drop.
What foam is in the Kailas Fuga EX330?
The EX330 uses a supercritical EVA foam midsole. Kailas claims 23% more rebound and 21% more thickness than the ECCEVAI foam in the Fuga EX 3.
How much does the Kailas Fuga EX330 weigh?
About 285g in an EU 42, roughly 25g lighter than the first-generation EX330.
What is the lug depth on the Kailas Fuga EX330?
The EX330 has dual-depth Vibram Megagrip lugs: 6mm around the edges and 4mm in the centre and rear.
Is the Kailas Fuga EX330 good in mud?
Yes. In my testing at a very muddy Arc of Attrition, it held firm where other runners were sliding.
Does the Kailas Fuga EX330 have a carbon plate?
No. The EX330 is unplated. Kailas's carbon-plated trail shoe is the Fuga EX Pro.
What's the difference between the Kailas Fuga EX330 and the EX 3?
The EX330 swaps the EX 3's ECCEVAI foam for a thicker, bouncier supercritical foam, and drops from 8mm to 5mm. It's built for ultra distances, while the EX 3 is a more general mixed-terrain shoe.
Is the Kailas Fuga EX330 worth it?
I think so. After 250+ miles, I rate it 8/10. The grip, comfort and responsiveness justify the price. Only the snug lace pocket holds it back.
Is the Kailas Fuga EX330 good for ultras?
Yes. It's built for ultra distances, and it has handled the Arc of Attrition marathon, long Coast Path training runs and Chamonix mountain trails for me. The only ultra-specific niggle is the snug lace pocket when your fingers are tired.
Why is it called the Kailas Fuga EX330?
The EX330 is named after the TORX 330 endurance race, organised by TorX, which Kailas sponsors.
About the Author - Andy Hood
Andy Hood is an ultra and endurance runner based in North Devon, and the man behind Running WestwardHo.
In 2021, at 48, a testicular cancer diagnosis took his running away from him. Surgery and chemotherapy followed, and what came back out the other side is what he calls Andy v2.0, a runner with a mission attached. Since then he has designed and run a string of deliberately attention-grabbing ultras, from 24 hours on a treadmill in a busy shopping centre to 170 miles of the South West Coast Path, and has raised more than £28,000 for cancer and mental health charities along the way.
He is the founder of Check Ya Balls, a men's underwear range with a cheeky look and a serious point to it, and a Runna ambassador. He has circled Mont Blanc on foot twice, in 2023 and 2025, and was in Chamonix for the full week of UTMB 2026. That's where the Kailas Fuga EX330 met its rivers of stones. He doesn't run for times; he runs for hills, views and the people he shares them with.
His kit reviews follow one rule: at least 50 miles in a shoe before he says a word about it. His writing here covers race reports, training guidance, honest kit reviews and the occasional strong opinion. The message underneath all of it stays the same: check yourself, and don't wait to be told twice.
You can find Andy on Instagram @runningwestwardho, or read more at runningwestwardho.co.uk.
Comments