We have often heard of various solutions ofelectrically assisted exoskeletons to facilitate or assist walking.
Typically, these are mobile structures that wrap around the legs and, thanks to electric motors placed on their joints, allow them to help the wearer walk with less effort.
Some experimental models can even help those who cannot walk finally do so.
The purposes with which they were created in short are definitely noble: to give those who cannot walk due to serious injuries or because they have never been able to do so the ability to move.
But these hiking pants from Arc’teryx are something else.
And they look just as serious.
How they are and how they work
The working principle of MO/GO (short for Mountain Goat) is that of an electrically actuated exoskeleton.
If it reminds you of an electro-assisted bike, you are not far from reality at all: MO/GO in fact support your legs and lighten the movement of walking thanks to the electric motorization powered by a battery to be placed behind your back at belt height (lasting about 3 hours), which goes into action by making you feel less effort, tuning to your physical needs, depending therefore on the effort required and assisting proportionally.
For whom are
This is not a product designed for those who have never done particularly strenuous hiking or exploring, nor is it meant to enable anyone to climb mountains even if they lack the necessary training.
Instead, Arc’teryx’s idea is to empower those who already have good athletic and technical training, pushing them beyond their capabilities.
The effects of its use are in fact to decrease the level of exertion (by up to 40 percent, according to the Canadian company and the startup Skip, born within Google and responsible for its mechanical and technological aspects) and to lighten the wearer by about 14 kg.
They will not be cheap
If you have this suspicion, know that it is well-founded.
MO/GOs are still in the experimental stage but a list price of $5,000 has been set, reduced to $4,500 for early bird (i.e., if you pre-order them now).
However, if you live in the U.S. or Canada, know that you can test them for the price of $80, which is not bad.