Women often have to make do with running apparel that is a smaller version of men’s designs. The Kailas FUGA Air 7 IV Women’s Trail Running Vest is a great example of what can be achieved when a brand designs specifically for female runners rather than simply “pinking and shrinking” an existing product.
Kailas FUGA have already shown they support women to run on trails. This vest is a further example of that, with features that actually make a difference when you’re out running.
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Features
- ADF (All-round Dial Fit) adjustment system that features a dial, a lace and fixed lace guides provides quick, all-round and precise adjustment
- BI-FIX system prevents water in soft flasks from sloshing when they are half full
- Multiple compartments give large capacity for mandatory equipment and keep your pack well-organized
- Ergonomic functional areas for maximum comfort (loading area, breathable area, stretchy area)
- Multi-layer storage system at back (breathable and stretchy mesh also keeps your items stable)
- 2 ways to attach your trekking poles
- 90% highly breathable mesh fabric for optimized ventilation
- Enforcement at the force-bearing point and full cotton threads on easy-to-wear places upgrade durability
- Reflective printings for night visibility
- Zipper pockets keep your valuables secured
- Mesh fabric with Polygiene treatment inhibits the growth of microbes and reduces odour
- RRP €150 from Kailas FUGA
First Impressions
The Kailas FUGA Air 7 IV Women’s vest is really lightweight and feels well made. Everything about it, from the pockets to the straps and how it fastens, has been thought out carefully. This makes it feel like it was specifically designed for women, rather than just being a version of a men’s vest that’s been modified.
Available in a large selection of colours, it’s refreshing to see a women’s pack that looks modern and stylish without relying on tired stereotypes.
Fit and Comfort
What really caught my eye is the ADF system – All Round Dial Fit adjustment. Very similar to the BOA system, the vest uses an adjustable shock-cord lacing system to draw the vest snugly around the torso. The dial system makes it easy to get a precise fit while you’re wearing the vest. You just pop it out to loosen it quickly, or push it in to rotate and tighten it.
Finding a good fit for any item of running gear is key, no matter what your bust size is. This system ensures you get a secure fit that stops bounce but without feeling too tight. It’s also really helpful to be able to make small adjustments while you’re running, especially when you’re wearing different layers or your water bottle is getting lighter.
The Stable Fit System is designed specifically for women, with a 3D ergonomic cut that fits perfectly on the female body. This unique design positions the pack higher up on the torso, which helps to reduce pressure on the lower back, hips, and legs by raising the center of gravity. The contoured fabric hugs the female torso, minimizing movement and allowing for a snug, comfortable fit. Additionally, the ADF feature fine-tunes the adjustment, while the BI-FIX flask stabilization keeps the flask secure, even as the liquid level decreases, preventing any further movement. This thoughtful design ensures a stable and comfortable carrying experience for women.
According to Kailas FUGA:
“Research has revealed that during high-intensity running, women’s breasts can experience displacement ranging from 4 to 10 cm. Calculated based on an average stride length of 60 cm, this means that over a distance of 30 kilometers, the movement trajectory of women’s breasts can reach up to 2000 meters. Once ligament damage occurs, leading to breast sagging or looseness, it becomes challenging to restore the previous curvature of the breasts.”
This is an alarming information and if a well fitting pack can help to reduce bounce, then I’m all for it!
Storage
The Kailas FUGA Air 7 IV Women’s backpack has a 7-litre capacity, which is enough space to carry the basics.
- Front flask pockets
- Multiple stretch storage pockets
- Rear compartment for mandatory kit
- Easily accessible nutrition storage
- Two methods to store poles
One feature that quickly stands out is the dedicated lipstick pocket. You might think it’s a bit silly, but it’s actually pretty useful. Whether you’re carrying lipstick to take a quick selfie (don’t judge) or just keeping some lip balm handy (aka emergency anti-chafe), it’s a nice touch that shows the designers get what women want.
Another great feature is the special bag for rubbish. Those empty gel packs can easily fall out of the regular elasticated pockets, but this detachable bag keeps them safe until you can throw them away. It’s a small thing, but it’s surprising that all running vests don’t have one.
On the front of the vest is also a waterproof phone pocket. Again, a thoughtful feature to keep your phone safe and secure. A feature I was very grateful for when I stood under a hose pipe during Swiss Canyon 30k to try and cool down in the 32 degree heat. I prefer to store my poles at the base of the vest, across the small of my back, and this it did comfortably.
Pros
The Air 7 works really well for me on trails during the summer, particularly when running shorter distance runs or faster-paced adventures with a pretty lightweight pack.
This vest is super light and stable, so you can move around easily without having to adjust it all the time. It’s also got some really handy storage spots that are easy to get to, which is perfect for when you’re on the go. There are two stretchy pockets on the back, and they are both reachable (with some stretching) without having to take the vest off, which means you can get to all of the pockets without stopping.
I’ve been using this pack for my daily runs for the last few weeks and it’s been great. It’s got enough space for my phone, a drink, and some waterproof gear. Plus, if I need to carry a bit more stuff, like earphones, a snack, or extra water for my dog, it can handle that too.
Cons
The only real limitation for me is capacity.
For runners, having the right amount of storage is key. In the summer, or for shorter races, 7 litres is usually enough. But when you’re running a long ultra in the mountains, or when it’s winter and you need to carry more gear, 7 litres isn’t enough. Even in the summer, if I’m going on a long run in the mountains, I need to carry a lot more stuff than this vest can hold.
It would be great to see Kailas FUGA build on this excellent design with a higher-capacity women’s-specific version using the same fit and clever features.
Conclusion
The Kailas FUGA Air 7 IV Women’s Vest Pack shows what happens when a company properly designs for women rather than adapting an existing men’s product.
This vest has some really cool features. It’s got a great adjustment system and together with the Stable Fit System, makes it super comfortable to wear. But what really sets it apart are the little details.
This vest is great for runners who want something lightweight and comfy. It’s perfect for warm weather and shorter runs. If you’re looking for a stable and reliable vest for your summer adventures, this is a great choice. I do, however, think it sits high on the price range; for such a small pack it is almost double the price of similar sized vests, which I do think is a very limiting factor; especially when one of the barriers women face in starting trail running is cost.
