The Arc’tryx MO/GO Hiking Pants come with a built-in exoskeleton powered by powerful motors that can increase the wearer’s leg strength by 40 percent and make them feel 30 pounds lighter. Motor-powered exoskeletons have been a reality for years, especially in the medical field, but not so much in the leisure department. That is about to change, as outdoor brand Arc’teryx and Google spinoff Skip recently teamed up to create the “world’s first powered pants”. Called MO/GO (short for ‘mountain goat’), the innovative garment is more than a piece of clothing; it comes with bespoke carbon fiber support structures that feed power from integrated AI-controlled motors at the knees to the wearer’s leg muscles during ascents and decreasing pressure on their knees during descents. Marketed as a mobility device, MO/GO pants are designed to make hiking more accessible to people who may not have the endurance for it.

Photo: Arc’tryx/Skip

“MO/GO feels like a natural extension of the body, enhancing mobility without drawing attention to itself,” the creators of the pants said. “This sleek, slimline design sets it far apart from the medicalized devices available to date.” The motors located on the side of the knees are powered by a battery pack located around the waist of the pants, and can reportedly assist the wearer during ascents for about three hours on a full charge. The battery recharges automatically while the wearer is walking downhill.

Photo: Arc’tryx/Skip

Although the MO/GO pants weigh around seven pounds with the motors and battery pack included, Skip founders Kathryn Zealand and Anna Roumiantseva say that they can make wearers feel 30 pounds lighter when hiking. A series of sensors feeds data to an AI-powered computer module that adjusts the level of assistance in real time depending on the terrain and the wearer’s walking style. However, users can override the auto assistance mode with the touch of a button. Although the motors of the Arc’tryx MO/GO Hiking Pants aren’t exactly inconspicuous, they are much sleeker than most modern exoskeletons we’ve seen and integrate quite well with the company’s Gamma hiking pants.

Photo: Arc’tryx/Skip

Unfortunately, one thing MO/GO Hiking Pants are not is cheap. They are expected to hit the market in 2025 at a retail price of around $5,000, which is a lot more than most people are willing to spend on hiking apparel. However, if these pants truly can enhance leg strength by 40 percent, they are definitely worth looking into, especially for people who love outdoor activities but don’t have the necessary strength or stamina. Luckily, buying the MO/GO pants isn’t the only option. Arc’tryx has announced that its innovative creation will also be available for eight-hour rentals on select hiking trails in the Western US and Canada for $80. That actually makes a lot of sense, as most people will be reluctant to spend thousands of dollars on something that they haven’t even tried. Plus, some people don’t hike enough to justify the investment, and would rather just rent them for the occasion.

 

Exoskeletons are becoming really popular these days. Last year, for example, we featured a light exosuit that could help people run faster.