During last year’s CES 2025, I tried out the Mo/Go exoskeleton from Arc’teryx and Skip on the show floor, and was amazed by how much extra power they provided. However, the apparatus was fairly heavy, bulky, and time-consuming to attach.
For CES 2026, I got the chance to take a different exoskeleton for a spin — the Ascentiz H1 Pro — once again on the show floor. With a little more room to stretch my legs, I even jogged around a Las Vegas ballroom with them fully powered up.
The comfiest exoskeleton I've tried
Significantly lighter, more comfortable, and far quicker to attach, the Ascentiz H1 Pro is one of several exoskeleton models the brand produces. The ‘H’ stands for hips, as the model affixes to your hips. The brand also makes the Ascentiz K1 Pro, which instead connects to your knees.
Like other exoskeletons out there, all of the Ascentiz models rely on AI to analyze a user’s stride, ensuring natural movement assistance. The Ascentiz H1 I tested didn’t feel nearly as powerful as other exoskeletons I’ve demoed, including the latest from Hypershell and the Mo/Go power pants, but the range of movement felt comfortable.
In fact, Ascentiz says you can rock either model while biking or even skiing/snowboarding. I hope to try this when review units become available.
Weighing just 4.4 pounds (sans battery), the H1 Pro is surprisingly unburdensome to wear (the K1 Pro weighs 5 lbs). It also folds down into a neat little package that can easily be stored in a gym bag.
A modular knee-hip exoskeleton
New for 2026 is the Ascentiz H+K, which compounds the two models mentioned above for even greater power. Best of all, the combination is modular, meaning you can use either of the exoskeletons on its own or in tandem.
The hip model that I tested can offset up to 66 lbs of weight and allow you to move as fast as 17.4 mph (I doubt I cracked 10 mph during my demo). The battery range is good for up to 31 miles, though not at the device’s top assistance speed. At 12.5 mph, Ascentiz says you can get 10 hours of use, which is impressive.
The knee model can offset up to 216 lbs of weight on its own, while providing similar battery performance to the hip model. While the Ascentiz H1 Pro is designed for casual hikes, urban walks, and trail running, the pricier Ascentiz K1 Pro is built for long-distance hiking and backpacking.
Note: Ascentiz didn’t provide weight offset figures or battery range details for the two units when combined.
In addition to the combo Ascentiz H+K, the brand also announced the development of the Ascentiz H1 Ultra and K1 Ultra, higher-performance variants of the H1 and K1, designed for especially steep terrain and/or to offset particularly heavy loads.
With double the power of the standard hip models, I’m mighty excited to try out the Ultras when they officially ship (likely) later this year.
Ascentiz exoskeleton price and availability
Ascentiz has a fully-backed active Kickstarter running for the standard H1 Pro and K1 Pro, with units expected to ship in February. The former is priced at $1049, but you can secure one for $699 right now via Kickstarter.
The Ascentiz K1 Pro is $1149 or $799 via Kickstarter if you move quickly. The combo H+K option is $1498 or $1298 right now via Kickstarter.
Lastly, the H1 Ultra is $999 via Kickstarter, and the K1 Ultra is $1099. No word yet on when the Ultra models will ship.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.
