It’s no secret that I love the outdoors – everything from kayaking to camping to hiking. I love the simplicity of it, that feeling of stripping things back to the basics. Out there, life feels clearer. You notice small things again – the sound of boots on gritstone, the way mist clings to the valley, the satisfaction of a hot brew after a cold climb. It’s the kind of reset that no screen or city weekend can give you.
Imagine my dilemma, then, when I was invited to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) to try out something that feels like the very opposite of “back to basics” – the Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton. It’s a fascinating, slightly futuristic bit of kit you’ve probably never heard of which straps to your hips and legs, described by Hypershell is an “affordable” powered exoskeleton designed for outdoor adventures, cyclists, and runners.
There are 4 models ranging from £789.00 to £1,599.00 which use an AI based motion engine that adapts to individual movements to help users hike further, run faster, and cycle harder.
As I write this I’m trying to find the easiest and clearest way to explain exactly who and what Hypershell is – as its tricky one – but I’ll do my best in this review.
Who Or What Is Hypershell?
Hypershell might be a relative newcomer – founded in 2021 in Shanghai – but it has made quite a splash in the world of wearable tech. In 2023, the company made history on Kickstarter, launching the world’s first consumer-grade exoskeleton and raising an astonishing $1.23 million (£920,500) in just one month.
Designed to assist with everything from cycling and hiking to travel, work, and everyday life, the powered exoskeleton promises to make movement feel a little lighter – whether you’re scaling hills or navigating the city.
The brand’s first product in the Hypershell X range debuted at CES 2024, the annual tech extravaganza held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where companies unveil the latest in consumer electronics. Not long after, Hypershell X went on to win the Best of Innovation Award in the robotics category at the CES Innovation Awards 2025, with mass production kicking off in early 2025.
Today, the range has expanded to four models, with prices starting at £789 and climbing to £1,599 – making futuristic, powered mobility more accessible than ever.
How Does It Work?
The Hypershell X Ultra looks more like a piece of sci-fi kit than outdoor gear – a sleek, motorised frame that straps neatly around your hips and thighs. It can be controlled directly from the device or, more easily, through the companion app, which makes switching modes and monitoring stats feel surprisingly intuitive.
Packed inside are a dozen tiny sensors – including gyroscopes, IMUs, and barometers – all quietly working together to map your movement in 3D. The system learns how you move, tracking speed, incline, and acceleration, and adjusts in real time as you shift from walking to running or from climbing to descending.
This latest model can adapt to twelve different terrain types – everything from steep hills and rocky trails to dunes, snow, and stairs – automatically tuning itself to the environment underfoot. At its core is what Hypershell calls the MotionEngine, an AI-powered brain that analyses your stride and times each motor assist perfectly, giving you a gentle but noticeable push when you need it most. It’s not about taking over your movement – it’s about making every step a little more efficient.
According to Hypershell, the X Ultra can reduce heart rate by up to 22% during walking and 42% while cycling, while cutting oxygen consumption by as much as 39%. In use, that translates to longer, easier days on the trail – especially when fatigue starts to set in.
Power comes from two swappable batteries that charge via a standard USB-C port. In Eco Mode, one battery will comfortably see you through a full day of hiking – around 18.5 miles or 7.5 hours – or up to 40 miles of cycling. Switch to Hyper Mode, and you’ll get shorter bursts of intense assistance: around 3 miles on foot or 21 on the bike. Swapping modes (and batteries) is quick and easy, so you can save power for when the climb really demands it. How Hypershell tested for these results can be found on its website.
It’s worth noting that the X Ultra isn’t a medical or therapeutic device – it’s designed for people who can already walk unaided, rather than for rehabilitation. Still, Hypershell hints that future models could expand its use beyond performance and recreation, blurring the line between mobility aid and adventure tech.
How I Tested The Hypershell
I was lucky enough to be invited to Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) to test out the latest Hypershell X Ultra – the brand’s most advanced exoskeleton yet – on a press trip across the rugged Glyderau range.
Before heading into the mountains, I met a couple of Hypershell representatives to get a crash course in how it all worked. Once you’ve downloaded the companion app, it walks you through a calibration routine – a few steps forward, a few turns in a circle, the kind of thing that makes you acutely aware that you’re strapping a robot to your legs.
I’ll admit, I felt a bit ridiculous at first – somewhere between a cyborg and The Wrong Trousers – legs jerking up at right angles as the motors learned my stride. I even did a few cautious laps around the hotel the night before our hike, trying to get used to the sensation. But beneath the awkwardness, there was something genuinely fascinating about how it moved – like it was quietly studying me, learning when to help and when to stay out of the way.
The next day, I took the Hypershell X Ultra out on the full Glyderau Traverse – a 12-mile route from Capel Curig to Nant Peris that strings together some of Snowdonia’s most dramatic peaks. Over grassy plains, loose scree, hands-on scrambles and long, leg-burning ascents, I tested both Eco Mode and Hyper Mode to see how it handled the lot. The route includes the big names – Y Garn (947 m), Glyder Fawr (1,001 m), and Glyder Fach (994 m) – with their jagged tors, knife-edged ridges and iconic landmarks like Castell y Gwynt and the Cantilever Stone.
It was the perfect testing ground – brutal in places, beautiful in others – and a real opportunity to see what happens when cutting-edge robotics meet classic mountain terrain.
My Verdict
After charging my Hypershell battery with a USB-C charger in my room overnight, at 7am sharp I was up and excited to start this unusual day in the mountains.
Getting the Hypershell on is surprisingly simple. The waistband slips on like a belt, the front strap tightens to fit, and the leg braces sit just above the knees – a little odd at first, but far less clunky than it looks.
On the climb to Y Garn, I could feel my legs thanking me. Steep scree slopes, which usually leave my quads grumbling after a few hundred meters, felt lighter and each step was less of a chore. Flicking into Hyper Mode on the steepest pitches gave a welcome nudge when the gradient got serious – it wasn’t cheating, exactly, more like having an extra pair of lungs and legs. That said, the battery burns through quickly in Hyper Mode, and I was mildly embarrassed to be the first one to swap mine out before lunch. Lesson learned – pace yourself.
Crossing Bristly Ridge and scrambling over the tors of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, though, reminded me the Hypershell isn't a replacement for skill. The rugged, rocky and jagged ridge line of Glyder Fach isn’t for beginners, and this is where the Hypershell wasn’t my helpful little companion anymore.
Scrambling up the large rocks myself and the Hypershell had a figurative tug of war. As I lifted my leg up high to climb over the uneven rocks the Hypershell nudged my legs further than I was planning to move, making me feel unstable enough that I decided to turn it off for that section partly for safety, partly for dignity.
It’s easy to be lulled by the Hypershell’s help. You stop less, breathe easier, and find yourself pushing harder than usual – which can be deceptive. I couldn’t shake the thought that an inexperienced hiker might take it too far, trusting the device to do the work and end up getting stuck with a dead battery and unable to tackle a difficult descent without it. The danger isn’t in the machine itself, but in overestimating what it can replace – experience, judgement, and a good dose of common sense.
On the descent towards Llyn Idwal, I tested downhill mode. It smoothed the impact on loose scree and wet slate, but the difference wasn’t as striking as uphill. Still, one unexpected perk: despite the way it looks, you can sit down comfortably – even cross your legs or flop sideways on a rock without issue.
By the time we reached the valley floor, I was genuinely impressed. We’d covered 12 miles over rough, unforgiving terrain, and while I felt pleasantly tired, I didn’t have the usual muscle ache. After a shower and dinner back at the hotel, someone even commented that I didn’t look like I’d just climbed a mountain – which, frankly, might be the best endorsement Hypershell could ask for.
By the next day, my legs were mildly sore and there was a tiny tug behind my knees, but all things considered, I felt completely fine.
As I said, it’s not a substitute for skill, ability and fitness – but it undeniably changes the rhythm of a long hike. For anyone needing a little bit of extra help, wanting to regain their confidence, or just wanting to push themselves as hard as they can, or is simply interested in the future of outdoor gear, this is an interesting product, and undoubtedly a glimpse into the future.
Value For Money
Ranging from £789.00 and going up to £1,599.00, the Hypershell exoskeletons are obviously a lot of money for a very niche item, especially when you’ll likely only use it every now and again, and it’s not medically certified. However, this is an interesting product that is a lot of fun and genuinely helpful, and could be the start of these becoming far more accessible.
Sustainability
Despite no clear details on sustainability, Hypershell says "From the start, Hypershell has focused on sustainability, using advanced exoskeleton technology to enhance mobility while minimising environmental impact. By prioritising efficiency and longevity, we aim to create a future where technology and sustainability work together.
"Looking ahead, we’re committed to partnering with global nonprofits and rescue organisations to drive positive change, supporting life-saving missions and environmental protection for a more sustainable and equitable world."
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