Will ArcTeryx Robotic Pants Save Your Hiking Knees?

Would you trust an AI powered bionic knee integrated with arcteryx pants? That's the question we are diving into in this weeks video. We are discussing the collaboration between Arcteryx, Google and Skip that created robotic pants designed to save your knees 40% of the work. So what do you think? Would you use this? Or is it a huge biomechanical and mountain safety risk that could cause more harm than good. Let me know in the comments below.

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[trels]

I believe the military applications are that infantry can carry heavier loads, not limited to supplies, but also assist in carrying a wounded soldier off the battlefield.

[bradspiess]

I don’t think I would use these for hiking. But as a trainer who trains a lot of older clients I’ve always been curious about using exoskeletons instead of walkers or wheelchairs. Imagine using like this to help get Mobil again and being able to slowly add in more of your own strength as a way of rehab. I think this has a long ways to go for something like that but the prospects are fascinating.

[frezzingaces]

Perfect for my death stranding cosplay

[BigO]

This might be a good product for someone with chronic knee pain from an old injury, helping them get out more and move.

[alexlong]

So much good information here. Solid and fair review. Great high level biomechanic consideration.

[Justshredman]

Anything to stop this lateral knee pain. I would use it if it works.

[Lorondos]

Reminds me of the DNSYS X1, most reviews considered it is noticable change but whether or not it is practical for any serious mobility improvement or aid, a lot less so.

[marksharman]

Fascinating. I can see a use for this, but not across the board. Most people who trek or climb do so understanding the growth this requires. However, there are people who have the love of life and maybe not the strength. Maybe will never have the strength. There is a place; it will be abused - which is to say that some people who do mot need it will use it.

[Bardmusic]

The prototypes will be too heavy and won’t work very well but eventually these will be amazing

[kevinworkman]

Military uses for exoskeletons are to increase the weight that soldiers can carry with them and probably the speed they can carry it at.

[Mark-pkfm]

As long as I can move independently I will be out on the hills under my own steam but there may be a time in the future I would consider tech if it was my best/only option. BUT I don’t want it to connect to the internet!!!

[BrokenBackMountains]

I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April.

[paolotokyo]

May be you could have tried those (apparently you can rent them for 80$)before reaching conclusions…. It is my understanding that these are not knee braces but “just” a support/boost for your progression on long or steep hikes, something elderly people or people with partially debilitating injuries may need.

[DanielOutdoors]

That's perfect for Night hiking, The Bed and at the dance floor common 🎉

[adriandraganescu]

I used to hike but an autoimune disease affected my knee an it can no longer support me in strenius activity. It's ok in normal everyday use but not hiking or very long walks so for me this looks like hope. Since nothing can really get my knee back as it was.

[salttrader]

Lol, Arcteryx has fallen down their rocker in the last few years.

Their repair department used to be amazing, last time I needed a repair they said they were sending me a patch via mail, not even doing the fix or sending a new one c per their warranty ... I never even got the patch 😅😂.

[jscotangus]

Unless the structure goes down below the feet and then attaches to any load on the hiker’s back (in order to effectively carry the weight for the hiker), I don’t see how this (whatever it actually is—looks like nothing more than a battery powered motorized knee brace) could possibly offer more than negligible benefits when it comes to “weight.”

[paulmelde]

Better to do the functional training Chase recommends than to depend on cyborg help when hiking!

[lisalalita]

Any exoskeleton type brace should be integrated INside the trouser bottoms so you cant see it from the outside like shown in this video. Or a knee brace thin enough to be worn under trousers.

[ChaseMountains]

Would you use these? Let me know your thoughts below 👇