Boost Your Hiking Performance with MO/GO Exoskeleton Pants by Arc’teryx and Skip
Imagine conquering steep trails and rocky terrain with the help of high-tech hiking pants. That’s the promise of the MO/GO exoskeleton pants, a collaboration between outdoor gear giant Arc’teryx and tech startup Skip. These innovative pants are designed to boost your hiking performance, making you feel up to 30 pounds lighter as you tackle challenging ascents. But this cutting-edge technology comes at a steep price: $5,000, or $4,500 with an early bird discount.
The MO/GO pants are the brainchild of Skip, a company that spun off from Google’s X Labs. Skip CEO Kathryn Zealand and her team initially developed the technology to assist workers and individuals with mobility issues. After securing $6 million in funding, Skip partnered with Arc’teryx to bring their vision of performance-enhancing hiking gear to life.
At the heart of the MO/GO pants are lightweight electric motors positioned at the knees and carbon fiber braces worn on the outside of each leg. A power pack is seamlessly integrated into the waistline. Despite the advanced technology, the pants weigh a manageable 7 pounds. The intelligent algorithm adjusts assistance in real-time based on your gait and leg movements, providing an intuitive and responsive hiking experience. Total battery life is about 3 hours or 6 miles (for most people). Much like an electric car, they will recharge when traversing downhill. Expert a boost of “up to 40% on the way up.”
