Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2024/08/03/i-want-to-try-out-5000-hiking-pants.html
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Via Gail Sherman - here’s the text:
Spending $5000 on hiking pants sounds absurd, but hear me out. These $5000 hiking pants might mean I could go on real hikes again, something I haven’t been able to do in years.
Wearable robotics company Skip and hiking gear outfitter Arc’teryx have teamed up to produce MO/GO, hiking pants with a battery-powered exoskeleton that they claim gives you a 40% boost going uphill, makes you feel 30 pounds lighter on flat ground, and cushions your knees on the way down. The pants cost $5000, or $4500 if you put down a $99 deposit now.
Last year, I considered backing the Hypershell, a similar device offered on Kickstarter. Backers pledged well over $1 million to produce the slightly lower-priced device. Having been burned on a 3D printer I backed on Kickstarter, which never materialized, I balked at backing another tech product that might be imaginary. The Hypershell was scheduled to be delivered in September 2023 but has yet to ship. Unlike my 3D printer, Hypershell is still posting updates, so there is still hope.
Although the MO/GO is more expensive than the still hypothetical Hypershell, it has two important advantages. One, it exists, and two, you can rent it for $80 to try it out for a day.
It could be wishful thinking on my part because I want to be able to hike again, but I think this one is legit. Arc’teryx is a reputable company with a solid history. Skip is a startup, but former Google X roboticists staff it, so they have bona fides. I’m not clear on why the pants need to be integrated into the design, other than giving Arc’teryx a reason to be involved. It does make the wearer look less like a cyborg than the Hypershell, but whether that is an advantage or not depends on how you feel about cybernetics.
via: Gear Junkie
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Jut stay clear of penguins.
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Especially with Feathers McGraw back outside!
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All the best to Gail Sherman and everyone else who would like a bit of help with their peregrinations.
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If they can be rented for $80 a pop, that’s what, 60 rentals until it would be worth buying? Of course that doesn’t come close to accounting for the convenience of owning, but my biggest question would be around the durability of the mechanical components. Anyway, I applaud any attempt to make outdoor pursuits more accessible for people with physical barriers.
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From Lithographica: Arc’teryx integrated the [Skip] system within the beloved Gamma Pant for this application, due to its breathability, abrasion-resistance and softshell stretch for active pursuits, and co-created bespoke carbon support structures to spread force from the motor across the leg ensuring comfort during extended periods of hiking.
My read: The Arc’teryx’ pants wider(?) longer(?) grabs more of the user’s legs (but hidden by the Arc’teryx pants) but would not have the Skip-alone “elegant” minimalist appearance if placed over one’s own pants. Comfort… and marketing?
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5K for an exoskeleton that helps you ambulate better? That does sound kinda sick.
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Just FYI, all of that which I posted was from the post and is not my commentary/questions/confusion, etc… but mayhaps the mystical Gail Sherman is reading our comments and will get an answer to her query!
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I really like this idea. But I am concerned with it being a combination of clothing and exercise equipment. How would I eventually turn it into a thing that sits in the corner to hang clothes on if it’s already clothing?
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I just booked an appointment to try this thing out. Just call me Steve Austin, the 80 dollar man!
They seem to have limited availability in Western NA, from Whistler down to Southern California.
Note that the price is in USD which always catches me off guard when it is a Canadian rental.
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So these are supposed to be worn outdoors, which means they will inevitably get grungy. How do you clean them? I can imaging the electric parts going in the washing machine.
My guess is that it’s designed for that. Looking at the picture on the blog post, it seems like the external joint fits on to a clip built into the trousers. My guess is also that it’s so you can charge the unit without leaving the trousers lying around. Also, if my guess is correct, it allows for swapping out units on longer hikes, when the battery runs low.
Also, if they are renting them, they need to be thoroughly cleaned in between*. So it makes sense to have the motor bits easily swapped out between rentable trousers.
*Er. I hope.
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I’m super interested if this works. My daughter can no longer go on hikes with me because going downhill causes pain in her knee for days. She’s seeing a physio for this, but physio costs $100 (CAD) a session and this costs $80 (USD). In order to hike and avoid the pain, I think it’s worth it.
ETA: I don’t have high hopes of this being more than a gimmick, but still I’m interested.
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I hope the controls aren’t too challenging.
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I see comments to this topic close soon. I’ll post a follow up with a teletype to the outdoor recreation thread. Late August or September.
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