Vancouver, BC, July 29, 2024 – In a groundbreaking collaboration, Arc’teryx and Skip proudly announce the launch of MO/GO™, the world’s first pair of powered pants designed to make human movement more joyful. Designed to support users to be more active through increasing stamina and reducing pain, MO/GO utilizes wearable robotics to tackle mobility challenges caused by aging, fatigue and injury that limit millions of people’s ability to move through life. This innovative product will be available for reservation starting July 24, 2024, with shipments planned for late 2025.
Founded as a project at Google X and spun out into an independent company in 2023, Skip is dedicated to creating movewear that supports those facing mobility challenges. Skip’s co-founders, Kathryn Zealand and Anna Roumiantseva, both have personal connections to mobility challenges, seeing their loved ones’ universes shrink due to health issues. Skip sought to partner with Arc’teryx’s Advanced Concepts team to create MO/GO, due to the brand’s expertise in apparel innovation and engineering solutions for movement in challenging environments. Led by scientists, engineers, and designers, Arc’teryx’s Advanced Concepts team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design and collaboration.
MO/GO is designed to support users in their outdoor recreational activities. Inspired by the mountain goat, one of nature’s best climbers, these powered pants enable users to tackle elevation like never before. The technology provides a 40% boost to the leg muscles on the way up and supports the knees on the way down, using a battery-operated motor connected to a suite of sensors and a computer module that predicts and assists the user’s movements.
Arc’teryx integrated the 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. Extensively tested on hiking trails in the US and the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, MO/GO feels like a natural extension of the body, enhancing mobility without drawing attention to itself. This sleek, slimline design sets it far apart from the medicalized devices available to date.
“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. Through extensive testing, prototyping and pushing the boundaries of design, we’ve seen testers get back out in the mountains they love – scaling summits and challenges they thought were lost to them. 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.”
Skip’s Co-Founder, Kathryn Zealand added. “By bringing together Skip’s expertise in artificial intelligence and powered wearable technology and Arc’teryx’s renowned product design and engineering excellence, we’ve created a product that truly transforms the outdoor experience.”
The product will be available for reservation starting July 24, 2024, with shipments expected in late 2025. Media and the public will have the opportunity to test MO/GO at the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy in Squamish in August 2024.
For more information on MO/GO™ and to reserve your pair, visit www.skipwithjoy.com and join us in making the mountains accessible to all.
