In a world where technology advances daily, Arc’teryx and Google robotics spinoff Skip are pioneering a whole new era in outdoor gear: poweredhiking pants dubbed MO/GO.
The name is a nod to the mountain goat, nature’s ultimate climber, and these pants are redefining what’s possible for outdoor enthusiasts and people facing mobility challenges alike. This collaborative marvel has even earned recognition as one of Time magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2024,” cementing it as a game-changer for how we interact with the natural world. For those who’ve struggled with limited mobility or knee pain, MO/GO represents a shift that promises freedom, confidence, and boundless exploration.
But the MO/GO pants aren’t just about making hiking easier—they’re about creating “movewear,” a category Skip believes will change how we think about outdoor apparel. As Skip co-founder Kathryn Zealand puts it, “Having experienced many movement challenges—both ourselves and through the people we love—we’ve seen their outsized effect on every other part of life.”
For Zealand and her team, every pair of MO/GO pants is a chance to expand possibilities, not only for athletes but also for those whose movement is limited by age, fatigue, or injury.
The Birth of “Movewear”: A Vision Rooted in Experience
Skip’s journey started at Google’s X Labs, where Zealand and her team were exploring ways to integrate robotics into everyday wearables. Their focus was clear: to help people move “effortlessly, confidently, and joyfully.” But building technology for movement support posed its own unique set of challenges. Skip’s team combined robotics with AI-driven algorithms that predict a user’s movement, while integrating ergonomic design principles so the pants feel like “a natural extension of the body.” Zealand explains, “Movewear brings together the deep tech learnings of the exoskeleton space with the algorithmic approaches of AI…and the UX and industrial design learnings of consumer tech.”
This holistic approach laid the foundation for Skip’s collaboration with Arc’teryx, a brand renowned for its innovation in outdoor apparel. For Arc’teryx, the partnership was an opportunity to create gear that pushes people beyond the physical limitations they thought bound them.
“Arc’teryx was founded on a love for the mountains, and creating products which enable people to push themselves and reach new heights,” said Katie Becker, Chief Creative Officer at Arc’teryx. “When the Skip team reached out with their early MO/GO prototype, we were immediately intrigued…That’s what it’s all about to us—creating space to share our love of the mountains—and we’re so excited to see the MO/GO out in the world.”
Engineering MO/GO Movement: From Concept to Comfort
Arc’teryx’s Advanced Concepts team brought a wealth of technical expertise to the project, drawing on the best qualities of the brand’s Gamma Pant—a breathable, abrasion-resistant softshell known for its flexibility. The result is a garment that feels like traditional hiking pants but conceals advanced robotic support. Battery-powered, the MO/GO features lightweight electric motors positioned at the knees, which snap into four adjustable carbon-fibre cuffs inside the pants. The design allows users to remove the mechanics for washing, ensuring convenience and durability.
Arc’teryx’s technical team tested the MO/GO extensively on trails in British Columbia and the U.S., working tirelessly to get the comfort and performance balance right. Skip’s engineers developed custom carbon supports to distribute the power smoothly across the leg, allowing users to feel up to 30 pounds lighter on inclines. The pants support an impressive 40% increase in leg strength on uphill terrain and cushion the knees on downhill descents—mimicking the precise, adaptive power that a natural knee would give.
Making the Outdoors Accessible with MO/GO
Arc’teryx and Skip’s pants make it possible for more people to enjoy the outdoors without being held back by pain or physical limitations. By offering mobility support that feels natural and looks stylish, MO/GO stands apart from other exoskeleton-like technologies, which have often been bulky, medicalized, and challenging to wear. Zealand notes that for movewear to succeed, it needs to be “something you can’t wait to put on in the morning and tell all your friends about.” Her team’s dedication to wearable tech that’s both functional and desirable highlights the goal of making these pants as much about lifestyle as they are about accessibility.
For Arc’teryx, who already champions gear designed to perform in the harshest environments, this partnership allows them to extend their philosophy of good design that matters. The company is no stranger to innovation: with a network of over 160 branded stores worldwide, they’re known for products that help people thrive in extreme conditions. With MO/GO, they’ve taken a major step forward in designing gear that not only withstands the outdoors but actively assists the wearer in conquering it.
A Glimpse into the Future of Wearable Tech
With the pants set to ship in late 2025, Arc’teryx and Skip plan to introduce the pants to the public through hands-on testing at the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy in Squamish, British Columbia. There, outdoor enthusiasts will have a chance to feel the difference for themselves.
“Our vision is a world where nobody is left behind,” says Zealand. It’s a vision that comes to life through products like MO/GO, which give users back a sense of autonomy and a reconnection with the outdoors. Whether scaling mountains or simply tackling a favorite hiking trail, these pants embody a future where technology serves as a subtle yet powerful partner in our adventures.
For now, MO/GO is available for preorder, for approximately $5,000, with excitement building as Arc’teryx and Skip get closer to launching what could be one of the most significant advancements in outdoor wear. Powered pants might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but for the teams behind MO/GO, it’s the next logical step in making the world a little more accessible—one step at a time.
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