“Because it is there.” When British mountaineer George Mallory uttered these words in 1924, he may not have anticipated how they’d resonate through time. While Mallory’s exploits may have faded from popular memory, his words have become emblematic of the unyielding human spirit that drives us to explore the unknown.
Humanity’s quest to conquer peaks and push the boundaries of what’s possible is relentless. The innovations that arise from our intelligence and creativity are the tools that propel us forward in this ongoing challenge.
A look through the history of outdoor sports reveals it as much more than a chronicle of athletic achievement—it’s a history of technological innovation. In the face of unforgiving natural environments that human strength alone cannot overcome, the evolution of our minds and bodies stands as a testament to our symbiotic relationship with nature.
For centuries, mountaineers have dreamed of scaling new heights. The harsh realities of outdoor exploration have driven continuous innovation in gear. From animal skins to synthetic fabrics, from custom creations to mass production, and from individual experience to industry-wide science—outdoor gear has transformed from primitive survival tools to essential companions in the quest to explore nature.
Today, outdoor gear is woven into the fabric of daily life, serving as a conduit through which we connect with the natural world. Items like down jackets, backpacks, raincoats, sleeping bags, and tents—now everyday essentials—were once the very things that gave adventurers the courage to embark on journeys and unlock new possibilities.
Yet, throughout history, outdoor gear has mostly been a passive tool—designed to protect but not to empower. Not everyone who dreams of scaling mountains has the physical strength to make that dream a reality.
But now, the role of outdoor gear is poised to shift. Recently, Arc’teryx introduced the “MO/GO” softshell pants, a product that merges exoskeleton technology with clothing, shifting outdoor gear from passive to active.
From sci-fi to the summit
The idea of exoskeletons is almost a given in science fiction. At last year’s World Science Fiction Convention in Chengdu, exoskeletons were named one of the top ten future technologies in sci-fi, ranking high on the list.
In pop culture, the image is iconic—whether it’s the combat suits worn by the human resistance in The Matrix or the futuristic armor capable of moving mountains in The Wandering Earth 2, these visions of exoskeletons have captured our imagination.
In reality, exoskeletons aren’t entirely new. They have already found their way into medical, industrial, and specialized fields, though their high cost has kept them largely in professional contexts.
Breaking into the consumer market, however, presents two main challenges. First, exoskeletons require a deep well of technological expertise, with precision and power demands varying widely depending on the application. This has led to the creation of numerous niche fields. Second, the consumer market requires products that appeal to the masses, meaning companies must identify and cater to specific needs while transforming complex technology into practical, accessible products.
The introduction of MO/GO marks a significant step in this direction. It mirrors the trajectory of outdoor gear: the pinnacle of technological innovation shouldn’t remain confined to the fringes but should continue to evolve as it becomes part of everyday life.
The MO/GO softshell pants are designed to assist mountaineers in their ascent. The name itself draws inspiration from the mountain goat, an animal renowned for its agility on steep rock faces, even at high altitudes.
The product system is composed of a carbon fiber exoskeleton powered by electricity and professional outdoor pants, with Arc’teryx’s “Gamma” pants serving as the base. Despite weighing only 900 grams, the exoskeleton is equipped with an electric motor that provides power to the wearer.
According to available information, MO/GO can provide approximately 40% power assistance during ascents and reduce knee joint stress during descents.
While the technical details can be summed up in a few words, they represent a major leap forward. Most tech products follow a path from large to small, from simple to complex. The challenge lies in the fact that as miniaturization and lightweight design progress, the demands for spatial efficiency and precision increase exponentially.
With MO/GO, Arc’teryx has managed to keep the product’s overall weight down while offering removable, user-friendly features. Users can adjust the power mode via buttons, easily detach the exoskeleton to revert to regular softshell pants, or even remove one side to reduce the power. This adaptability suggests that the product is not just a prototype but a fully realized solution ready to meet the needs of various users.
Moreover, the product appears to integrate with artificial intelligence, operating with knee-mounted motors and a set of sensors linked to a computer module that predicts the user’s movements, providing corresponding support. As users continue to wear the MO/GO pants, the AI records and refines the user’s outdoor activity data, autonomously generating support tailored to their habits, making the entire experience smoother.
In this sense, the significance of the new product goes beyond merely incorporating exoskeleton technology into outdoor gear. It also signals a shift in how AI-driven human-computer interaction can enhance the outdoor experience. This may well indicate that outdoor gear is expanding its reach, becoming more inclusive across different scenarios and user groups. By genuinely improving athletic performance and altering lifestyles, the softshell pants quickly garnered widespread attention from international media following their debut.
It’s worth noting that MO/GO was co-developed by Arc’teryx and Skip, a technology innovation company that emerged from X Development (formerly Google X). Kathryn Zealand, founder and CEO of Skip, had led the development of exoskeleton systems during her time at Google. Her criteria for selecting a partner were rigorous: the company needed deep technological capabilities and the ability to translate those into practical solutions that could bring the concept to reality.
According to Zealand, Arc’teryx was the only partner that met all the requirements.
Turning the tide in the outdoor sector
Why the name Arc’teryx?
For those familiar with the outdoor sector, the choice is no surprise. In 1861, the Archaeopteryx fossil was unearthed, just two years after Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species. This discovery provided powerful evidence for evolution and symbolized natural selection’s survival of the fittest. The Archaeopteryx has since evolved from representing a prehistoric fossil to becoming the brand logo of a company steeped in the spirit of evolution.
Unlike other industries, where innovation is driven by a desire to enhance existing products, the original motivation behind professional outdoor brands often stems from dissatisfaction with current equipment. Innovations in outdoor gear have traditionally focused on improving materials, design, and craftsmanship of existing products.
Arc’teryx’s evolution, however, comes from standing at the forefront of the industry, constantly pushing boundaries through technological exploration, and leading—not just participating in—the entire outdoor sector.
This pioneering spirit has led to significant technological innovations. Before Arc’teryx, no one thought to bring thermal compression molding techniques from the metallurgical industry into outdoor gear. Yet, the technology resulted in the creation of the “Vapor” harness and “Bora” backpack, establishing Arc’teryx’s reputation.
Then came the “Alpha SV” hardshell jacket, a product that embodies the fusion of advanced technology with outdoor performance. At the time, mainstream mountaineering jackets had many flaws—baggy fits wasted energy, and buttons were cumbersome and not waterproof.
Solving these problems was a complex challenge that required breakthroughs in materials, innovations in waterproofing, and overall lightweighting. Before developing the Alpha SV, Arc’teryx had no experience in apparel.
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“Make something out of materials that don’t exist, with machines that don’t exist and then figure out how to mass produce it.” This famous quote from Arc’teryx co-founder Jeremy Guard still circulates within the company today. Exploring the frontiers of technology is about turning the unknown into the known.
This is a challenge reserved for the bold. But Arc’teryx rose to it. Its ambition persuaded the highly selective Gore company to allow it to use Gore-Tex waterproof membranes. Arc’teryx then successfully adapted the technology to create lighter, more efficient fabrics. It also broke new ground by developing fully waterproof zippers, ushering in the waterproof zipper era in outdoor apparel. The result was the Alpha SV series, known for its extreme lightweight, waterproof, and breathable performance.
At the cutting edge, Arc’teryx continues to strive for new heights—this is the essence of mountaineering and the foundation of the Arc’teryx brand. The Alpha SV series, the Bora backpack series, and others continue to push the limits of performance. This constant exploration has become the stepping stone to Arc’teryx’s position in the industry. Years of outdoor testing led Arc’teryx to convince Gore of the feasibility of narrowing the tape in the garment lamination process, leading to a significant reduction in the weight of the Alpha SV—the latest 2023 version has dropped from its original 708 grams to 485 grams, nearly a third lighter. This innovation helped the Alpha SV, which debuted over two decades ago, win Fast Company‘s “2024 Innovation by Design Award.”
It’s hardly surprising that the Alpha SV, which transformed the industry and even everyday life upon its release, was selected—especially since such a product continues to evolve.
“For innovation, there’s no brief, there’s no deadline, it’s ready when it’s ready.” Arc’teryx’s chief creative officer Katie Becker’s words perhaps best capture the brand’s essence.
Looking at other technological innovations from Arc’teryx, you can better appreciate its role in the outdoor field. Its advanced composite structure technology provided a new waterproof solution, making the “Acrux 50” backpack a must-have in extreme outdoor environments. The “Tri-Dex” technology’s layered system design and three-lobed finger construction brought remarkable flexibility to otherwise clumsy waterproof gloves—a lifesaver in extreme conditions. The seamless bonded shoe uppers and adaptive fit design of its mountain shoes provide high performance for both professional outdoor enthusiasts and urban dwellers.
Arc’teryx’s accumulation of outdoor technology has also earned recognition from more partners, industries, and society, becoming a new driving force in its exploration of technology. For example, in November 2023, Arc’teryx announced a collaboration with Canadian company Aluula Composites to co-develop a new composite fabric that is lightweight, strong, and durable. This material has a strength-to-weight ratio eight times higher than steel, yet it is much lighter than existing materials.
The announcement caused a stir, with many outdoor enthusiasts and industry insiders eagerly anticipating the launch of products using this new material. This suggests that the entire outdoor sector is on the verge of a comprehensive transformation, from materials to processes to product forms. Starting from the source of the material supply chain to enhance the entire industry—this seems to be a recurring theme in Arc’teryx’s explorations.
People are used to this—and they are excited by it.
Leading the industry isn’t just a slogan for Arc’teryx—it’s a reality. Technological innovation, astute product design, and an unwavering passion for outdoor sports have made Arc’teryx synonymous with professionalism. No matter the climate or environment, you can always find a solution that fits your needs.
Over the past few decades, Arc’teryx has continually pushed the envelope in technology and craftsmanship. Or, more accurately, each of Arc’teryx’s innovations has set new upper limits for the industry, creating a cycle of breaking conventions and achieving evolution. The driving force behind this continuous innovation is Arc’teryx’s internal focus on creativity and significant investment in research and development.
The advanced concepts team is perhaps the embodiment of Arc’teryx’s commitment to technology advancement. Led by scientists, engineers, and designers, this team is a group of creators, problem solvers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Like the frontier labs of tech giants, the team takes on new challenges, completing the entire R&D cycle from research to validation. This ensures that Arc’teryx’s approach to problem-solving is grounded in both practice and innovation.
As early as 2002, the team helped launch a product called Klippa. At that time, Arc’teryx athlete Craig DeMartino lost his right leg below the knee in a climbing accident but refused to give up his passion and career. The problem? No prosthetic products were specifically designed for outdoor climbing. With Arc’teryx’s help, designer Kai Lin created a prototype prosthetic that mimicked the leg of a mountain goat, offering hope to many disabled individuals who also dream of climbing.
Arc’teryx operates like the tide, constantly shaping the direction of the outdoor sector. The introduction of powered exoskeleton apparel is just the latest wave.
In the business world, problems aren’t created—they are discovered. And those who discover problems are often the ones best equipped to solve them.
In the outdoor sector, Arc’teryx is that perfect match. For those who push their limits, Arc’teryx stands for safety and professionalism, enabling the thrill of challenging oneself with cutting-edge technology.
For the broader public, it’s about awakening a sense of adventure. The original purpose of outdoor gear was to help people transcend their limits and connect with the mountains. Advances in outdoor technology have only deepened that connection. Through Arc’teryx, even city dwellers can maintain a dialogue with the mountains, bridging the gap between urban life and the wild, opening the door for more enthusiasts to reach new heights.
To climb a mountain is to improve oneself. On this journey, whether driven by brand spirit or technological innovation, Arc’teryx continues to push boundaries, set new standards, and redefine the outdoor industry.
It’s no surprise that Arc’teryx’s relentless pursuit of this ethos is a reflection of its own unceasing exploration.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.