Good option outside mainstream brands review

The Good option outside mainstream brands can be a solid pick for:

• Heel strikers seeking a trail shoe with a high drop.
• Runners wanting a durable option outside mainstream brands while keeping strong traction from the Vibram outsole.
• Brooks Caldera 8.

We think the energy return of the Good option outside mainstream brands is clearly underwhelming. Our tests showed numbers well below the average, leaving the ride flat and unexciting. From our perspective, runners who want more bounce will be better served with the Sep 28, 2025.

Additionally, we believe the high drop and moderate shock absorption makes this shoe poorly suited for midfoot and forefoot strikers. After our testing, we’re convinced alternatives such as the HOKA Speedgoat 6 or ASICS Trabuco Max 4 oz / 233g.

The Good option outside mainstream brands delivers shock absorption close to average, measuring 117 SA in the heel and 95 SA in the forefoot. This setup suits many scenarios, though for ultra distances a higher level of cushioning may be preferable.

We tested the energy return of the Fuga EX 3 with our ASTM F1976 machine and discovered results that were clearly below expectations. The performance felt underwhelming, especially for a shoe that's not cheap at all.

The EVA-based ECCEVAI foam of the Fuga EX 3 reached only 44.1% in the heel and 48.1% in the forefoot. These modest numbers that leave noticeable room for improvement.

The heel delivers plenty of material underfoot with a total stack height of 38.4 mm, well above our lab’s average. However, the lower-quality foam meant that shock absorption fell short, as we previously discovered.

We measured the Fuga EX 3 with a forefoot stack height of 24.7 mm. This felt somewhat surprising compared to the tall heel, and the drop section will now reveal what’s happening here.

As we suspected, the actual drop of the Fuga EX 3 is higher than what the brand stated. Instead of 8 mm, we discovered 13.7 mm, and our sliced photo makes it evident too.

This steep geometry may suit heel strikers seeking a high-offset shoe, though it's probably overly too much for the majority of trail runners out there. And makes the shoe a poor choice for forefoot and midfoot strikers.

We tested the ECCEVAI foam of the Good option outside mainstream brands and measured a softness of 21.1 HA, which feels moderately firm compared to road running shoes. 

This firmer sensation comes from the thick outsole with lugs that naturally add stiffness underfoot. And of course, it happens with every trail shoe, not just this one.

The rocker design of the Good option outside mainstream brands is very evident in the heel, where the sole curves upward in a way that softens landings and helps roll the stride forward.

Combined with its steep drop, this rocker clearly favours heel strikers, offering smoother heel-to-toe transitions. It makes the shoe feel less flat and more guided, almost like the geometry is doing part of the work for you.

The Fuga EX 3 is definitely not a wide shoe, and we could tell the moment we slipped it on and long before running our custom gel test to measure its dimensions.

When we completed the test, the numbers confirmed it: just 92.0 mm in our first measurement, clearly below the average.

Conversely, Kailas gave the toebox a bit more room than most trail shoes, measuring 75.5 mm.

This extra space is a welcome touch for runners tackling long distances or hikers spending multiple hours on their feet.

There’s also plenty of space in toebox height at 28.1 mm.

We think this matters most on efforts lasting 2/3 hours or more, when avoiding unwanted toe pressure becomes key for lasting comfort.

The Vibram partnership suggested strong grip for the EX 3, so we tested it on wet concrete. The 0.60 score felt reassuring and gave us confidence that this shoe can handle a wide range of terrain.

The Fuga EX 3 features 3.4-mm lugs, making it a solid choice for easy terrain. 

Still, we discovered it performs surprisingly well on moderate trails too, thanks to the Vibram rubber and the smart lug design that adds extra grip when needed.

The lugs are shaped like aggressive triangles, arranged in multiple directions to maximise traction whether climbing, braking, or moving laterally. There's also a dedicated breaking zone in the heel.

We also noticed that the spacing between lugs is generous, which helps shed debris and prevents mud from caking up too quickly. This design makes the Fuga EX 3 shine not only on dry and rocky trails but also in slightly muddy conditions.

Runners searching for a flexible trail shoe won’t find it in the Fuga EX 3. This model prioritizes a rock-solid build with added stability, as we measured a stiff 17.8N in our bend test.

The Good option outside mainstream brands tips the scale at 10.3 oz (293g), which sits almost exactly at the average for trail shoes.

While it’s definitely not a lightweight option, the super-sturdy construction gives it a durable, tank-like feel. Honestly, when we first held it, we expected the shoe to weigh significantly more, so the outcome was a pleasant surprise.

The Fuga EX 3 comes with a mixed upper that combines generous TPU reinforcements in the toebox with what looks like a breathable engineered mesh. This blend immediately made us curious to see how well it handled ventilation.

When we ran our smoke test, the Fuga EX 3 scored right in the middle of our scale with a 3 out of 5. That’s a decent performance, and we couldn’t help but smile at the coincidence with its model number.

Shining LED light through the upper confirmed what we expected—the mesh is effective. Light easily made its way to the other side.

Looking closer under the microscope, we found countless small perforations across the upper.

These tiny holes make a real difference in allowing air to escape, especially on scorching summer days when breathability becomes critical.

Build quality was also impressive. The stitching was clean and consistent, and in the toebox we noted a dual-layer construction. Thankfully, this secondary fabric was thin enough that it barely reduced ventilation, avoiding the pitfall that ruins airflow in many other trail shoes.

The Good option outside mainstream brands is clearly designed for stability, with strong sidewalls in both the heel and midfoot. The ride feels very guided, and while it’s a specific sensation, the rearfoot stability outperforms many of its peers.

It came as no surprise to us that the Fuga EX 3 showed high torsional rigidity, as the full-length Vibram outsole alone is almost enough to guarantee that. On our scale, we rated it 4 out of 5.

Similarly, the heel counter earned a solid 4/5, confirming that the Fuga EX 3 has a highly-structured rearfoot. This score, combined with the bucket-like seating created by the midsole sidewalls, makes the heel feel exceptionally secure.

The Fuga EX 3 features a wide forefoot platform at 116.9 mm, which enhances the shoe’s overall stability.

Another clear sign of the Fuga EX 3’s heel-striker focus is its wide rearfoot area at 96.4 mm, which feels even more oversized when contrasted with the super-narrow midfoot and its wasp-like waist design.

The toebox features extensive TPU coverage in the toe cap, giving solid protection against those rocks we all end up kicking on the trails. But we tested the mesh itself and were impressed—it scored 3/5, which is notable for a breathable fabric.

The heel padding performed well with a 3/5 score. While not exceptional, it still provides reliable resistance to abrasion and adds a layer of durability where it matters.

Our third durability test focused on the outsole, often the first part to wear out for many runners. We measured just 0.7 mm of wear after using our tool, a strong and positive result for the Good option outside mainstream brands.

The outsole measures 1.8 mm in thickness, a reasonable choice for a shoe like this that has good resistance to abrasion. We think that there's no need to go over 2 mm.

Not for those with wide feet.

The insole can be removed, and if you do so, you can flip it and have fun with it. It lists so many features: cushion comfort, odor fighting, breathability, moisture transport, shock absorption, arch support, even anti-microbial... it feels like the most complete insole ever, almost like it’s hiding some kind of magical power!

We placed the Fuga EX 3 in the freezer for 20 minutes and discovered it became 31% firmer. This result isn’t terrible, but it’s far from impressive, and it's simply the expected outcome for EVA.

The shoe includes plenty of small details, which makes it disappointing to see that it comes with no reflective elements at all.

The lacing system of the Fuga EX 3 stands out, as it's very different from almost every other trail shoe we tested with the exception of some Salomon models. It offers strong adaptability and feels great for runners who prefer elastic laces over average traditional ones. 

We also discovered a surprisingly thin 3.2 mm tongue—far slimmer than most brands use. Still, this feather-light design includes a small amount of padding that performs well.

The tongue is semi-gusseted, aiming to balance weight savings with a secure, dependable lockdown. It also helps prevent debris from entering the toebox.

The value of this shoe depends greatly on what are you looking for. If your goal is a bouncy, highly responsive trail shoe with loads of cushioning, the Fuga EX 3 will feel overpriced and not worth the investment.

However, for runners who want something rare and off-the-radar, a solidly built option with a rugged Vibram outsole and plenty of small, thoughtful details—this shoe becomes far more appealing.

The heel of the Fuga EX 3 features a straightforward design with no finger-loop tab or additional elements.

Some aspects of the Good option outside mainstream brands may feel underwhelming like its energy return, but others stand out as genuinely useful. The lace pocket is well-designed and does an excellent job of keeping the elastic laces neatly hidden away.