We Strapped on Exoskeletons and Raced. There’s One Clear Winner | WIREDSkip to main contentMenuSECURITYPOLITICSTHE BIG STORYBUSINESSSCIENCECULTUREREVIEWSMenuAccountAccountNewslettersBest Office ChairsBone Conduction HeadphonesBest Digital NotebooksBest Motorola PhonesTCL DealDeals DeliveredSecurityPoliticsThe Big StoryBusinessScienceCultureReviewsChevronMoreExpandThe Big InterviewMagazineEventsWIRED InsiderWIRED ConsultingNewslettersPodcastsVideoMerchSearchSearchSign InSign InChris Haslam Jeremy WhiteGearJan 26, 2026 7:00 AMWe Strapped on Exoskeletons and Raced. There’s One Clear WinnerWIRED put the latest consumer exoskeletons from Dnsys and Hypershell in a head-to-head test on a pro athletic track. On your marks …Photograph: Dulcie GodfreyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyPersonal exoskeletons were everywhere at CES 2026. There were ambitious designs from newcomers WiRobotics, Sumbu, Ascentiz, and Dephy, while Skip Mo/Go was back promoting its long-overdue tech trousers. Dnsys (pronounced Deen-sis), a comparatively well-established name, had some new launches to tease, Hypershell was back with its top model, and Ascentiz had us sprinting across the show floor.An exoskeleton is a relatively new class of wearable device designed to enhance, support, or assist human movement, strength, posture, or even physical activity. The main piece goes around your waist like a belt, and from it a pair of hinged, mechanized splints extend down over the hips to strap onto each thigh, where they provide some robotic assistance to normal movements like walking, running, or squatting.Once used only in medical rehabilitation and in factory settings, exoskeletons are now being sold as mainstream consumer devices. It’s a rapidly emerging market, with reports suggesting growth from more than half a billion dollars in 2025 to more than $2 billion by 2030.Climb every mountain.
Courtesy of DnsysAs of today, only Hypershell and Dnsys (both Chinese companies founded in 2021) have consumer exoskeletons you can buy. And we promised, when we first reviewed the prelaunch prototype of the Dnsys X1 (5/10, WIRED Review), that as soon as we could, we would race them. So, with the launch of the Hypershell X Ultra, that day has finally arrived.Through a series of “athletic” pursuits at London’s Lee Valley Athletics Center, we went head-to-head with the $1,999 Hypershell X Ultra and the $1,899 Dnsys X1 Carbon Pro. Both are flagship products, both are commercially available, and both caused people to stop and stare, although that could have just been our astounding athleticism.A Leg UpDnsys and Hypershell spend a lot of marketing budget promoting the physical benefits of their exoskeletons. Hypershell, for instance, claims its devices can lead to a 42 percent lower heart rate, 20 percent less exertion when walking, and a 63 percent increase in hip flexor endurance. Dnsys suggests wearing its devices will “decrease power demand by up to 50 percent.”As we discovered with testing the Hypershell Pro X (6/10, WIRED Review), corroborating or refuting these claims is difficult at best, especially when the tech (and human) doesn’t always play along. Despite tracking heart rate, pace, and distance using a smartwatch, some of our efforts suggested we used more energy with the exoskeleton than without.The Hypershell design is sleeker than …
Photograph: Dulcie Godfrey… the exposed wires of the Dnsys.
Photograph: Dulcie GodfreyBut there’s no denying that the exoskeletons work. They put a robotic spring in your step and positively propel you along. How much tangible benefit you get from the assistance will greatly depend on you as an individual. Chris Haslam, one of WIRED’s crack product reviewers enlisted for this test, has a 76-year-old father with one titanium hip. Chris’ dad was able to use an exoskeleton to climb a hill without his usual breather at the halfway point. Chris, however—a healthy, active 48-year-old—found them more of a hindrance than a help.Having two different exoskeletons allowed us to compare performance and discuss perceived effort. Yes, some of the sprint races were a little tongue-in-cheek, but the more time we spent wearing each device, the clearer picture we got as to what the exoskeleton is actually doing and how it felt while it’s doing it.The TestsWe took the exoskeletons for a jog around the track. Jeremy is on the left. Chris is on the right.
Photograph: Dulcie GodfreySlow and Steady: We completed an unaided, exoskeleton-free baseline run of 400 meters before repeating the same tests in each exoskeleton. Pace and distance were kept the same, so the difference in exertion could be seen clearly through a drop in heart rate.Max Effort: We also did a series of 60-meter sprints to test the impact each exoskeleton had on speed. There was a mere fraction of a second separating Jeremy White (being fastest) from Chris when running unaided. This negated the need for a timed handicap, which was our original intention, but the results and perceived effort make for interesting reading nonetheless.Stair Climb: Finally, to test the ascending and descending benefits, we completed a series of 3-minute stair climbs to see how much impact each exoskeleton had on our heart rates and range of motion.None of the results here are scientific, and Chris has also spent a good deal of time testing both models in real-world hiking and walking scenarios. But exercising with the two exoskeletons taught us a huge amount about what they’re capable of and how well each works. And in that regard, there was one clear winner.Ready, Set … Go!On paper, there’s not much difference between the two exoskeletons, with the Hypershell being $100 more expensive, with 100 watts more power, and a marginally bigger battery. The Dnsys has a slight weight advantage, and both options come with two batteries. Each has a good range of power and assist settings, and each uses a degree of AI to track your leg movements in real time.Hypershell claims to use AI to recognize different terrains and activities (uphill, downhill, stairs, running) and then automatically adjust its power output in real time. Dnsys, which boasts about its AI being developed by former engineers from DJI, Segway, and Xiaomi, says its onboard AI learns gait patterns to adjust its motor output in mere milliseconds. Like the Hypershell, it also claims to recognize terrain and adjust accordingly.As for the athletes, thankfully, our level of fitness and intelligence were not being tested.Hypershell X UltraPhotograph: Jeremy WhiteHypershellX Ultra$1,999 HypershellPrice$1,999WeightApprox 4.0 pounds (1.8 kg), stated as net weight excluding batteryMaterialsCarbon fiber frame with titanium alloy structural componentsPower outputUp to 1,000 watts peakRangeUp to 18.6 miles (30 km) per batteryBattery lifeStated by range rather than hours; two 72-Wh batteries supplied; charge time approx. 88 minutes per batteryControlAI MotionEngineFirst Impressions: Despite the unit initially not wanting to connect to the app, the setup was simple. The app is concise and provides detailed fitting instructions. The big waist buckle makes it easy to adjust, and the leg straps are equally straightforward to use. We both found the hip padding to be comfortable, and the positioning of the controls intuitive enough. The long-press-short-press one-button control takes a bit of getting used to, however.Dnsys X1 Carbon ProCourtesy of dnsysDnsysX1 Exoskeleton$1,899 AmazonPrice$1,899WeightApprox 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg), stated as mechanical weightMaterialsCarbon fiber construction with titanium alloy and aluminum componentsPower outputApprox 900 watts peak (often quoted as around 1.2 hp)RangeUp to 24.9 miles (40 km)Battery lifeUp to 14 hours total claimed over two batteries, or 20 km per batteryControlSmart AI Motion Assist systemFirst Impressions: The Dnsys has a “Batman utility belt” look to it, which is (sort of) cool, until you realize that the battery pack is clipped on your right hip and connected to the unit via a messy cable. This does make it easier to swap out batteries without removing the unit, but it does nothing for the aesthetics.Connecting to the app is very simple, instructions are quick and easy, too—but having the power-on button in the middle of the back of the hip belt is both annoying and frustrating. There’s a good level of adjustability here, though, and the clasp is robust. But again, like the loose cable, the trailing part of the strap is untidy, even if you use the supplied small square of Velcro to stick it down. It just feels a bit of a mess and oddly unfinished compared to the Hypershell. It’s almost like you’re wearing a prototype, though you’re most certainly not.It’s worth noting that with both exoskeletons, you need to power them down carefully before taking them off, or there’s an outside chance you’ll get kicked by a vicious robot femur. Yes, WIRED was forewarned by both apps, and yet we still had to learn the hard way.Results: Slow and SteadyPace: 6:30 min/kmJeremy WhiteChris HaslamUnaidedAverage HR174 bpm140 bpmHypershellAverage HR151 bpm136 bpmDnsysAverage HR155 bpm137 bpmJogging multiple laps of the 200 meter indoor circuit, both with and without exoskeletons, showed that the technology does indeed reduce the physical effort needed. For Jeremy—who wanted to make it perfectly clear that he “never runs”—the impact on his heart rate was significant. For the fit and aerobically active Chris, the benefits were marginal.There’s very little separating the exoskeletons here, with Hypershell just edging Dnsys, but we are talking the most marginal of marginal gains. What was blindingly obvious, however, was just how noisy the Dnsys X1 Carbon Pro was. Each step was met with a sound effect straight out of RoboCop, while the Hypershell remained almost silent. The difference was stark, and very quickly the X1 Carbon Pro’s disconcerting whirring became tiresome.Putting the X1’s noise aside, both models did their jobs, but there was a gulf of difference between them. The Hypershell model was smooth throughout, even in the max-impact Hyper mode. The Dnsys has more power settings, and the difference between each is noticeable, but while Hypershell feels smooth and controlled, the Dnsys jerked our legs up, as Jeremy put it, “like Woody from Toy Story.”Results: Sprint Race60 meter Max EffortJeremy WhiteChris HaslamUnaidedTime11.25 secs12.03 secsHypershellTime10.63 secs10.51 secsDnsysTime10.71 secs10.77 secsUnaided bragging rights belong to Jeremy, but wearing the Hypershell, Chris was able to beat him in the noisy Dnsys, although admittedly there was little in it. Neither of the two testers is a sprinter, and Chris admits he could have simply been trying harder on later sprints as a matter of pride, but Jeremy and Chris agreed that with both the Dnsys and Hypershell they felt more supported while working hard. More importantly, times across the board were faster with WIRED’s exoskeletons than without.The Dnsys offered more feedback—in Boost+ mode, our legs were noticeably physically raised with each stride, but that felt quite uncontrolled and jerky compared to the smooth, flowing assistance of the Hypershell. The speeds were almost identical, but the experience, again, was quite different.Results: Stair Climb3-min Steady EffortJeremy WhiteChris HaslamUnaidedAverage HR151 bpm121 bpmHypershellAverage HR107 bpm116 bpmDnsysAverage HR142 bpm119 bpmAs with the first test, the exoskeletons did their job as advertised and gave our middle-aged hearts a little light relief. There was an issue with Jeremy’s Hypershell Apple Watch heart-rate reading (107 bpm was clearly an error), but the trend remained the same, with exoskeletons taking the strain, albeit marginally.Both of us noticed the weight of the units more while climbing stairs, though, and it’s worth remembering they weigh around four pounds each. That weight is noticeable on the hips (even more so for the Dnsys, in particular when running), especially as you get tired, and we would really hate having to carry these home if the batteries died.The Hypershell offered the most natural stride pattern on the stair climb—both up and down—and both Chris and Jeremy certainly felt a spring in their step. The power was also appreciated with the Dnsys, but as we’ve seen already, the motor just isn’t as smooth, and the stride patterns had a tendency to feel cartoonish.Chris noticed this issue with the first-generation Dnsys he tested and thinks it has been improved a little since then, but it’s still a disappointment—especially as the developers are quick to promote their DNNAS (Dynamic Neural Network Assist System) designed “to predict your next movement and adapt.”And the Winner Is …Despite both exoskeletons performing the tasks they claim to, it is clear that the Hypershell X Ultra is better in almost every department. It’s much more comfortable to wear; our stride pattern felt more natural when jogging, walking, sprinting, and climbing; and it’s oh so quiet. The Dnsys is noisy—embarrassingly so.Haslam with the win.
Photograph: Dulcie GodfreyBoth designs offer assistance, and if you are less able, we can definitely see the advantage in wearing them on a walk. The Dnsys X1 Carbon Pro feels more powerful than Hypershell, but in fact, it isn’t. It’s precisely because that power is unrefined that it is more noticeable and so tricks you into thinking there’s more oomph than there is. It’s funny watching someone’s legs being pulled about like a puppet, but, in practice, this model works best at lower power. Stick to the Eco mode and enjoy a nice, long hike. Just remember the motor might scare off the wildlife.On reflection, we’d prefer to take the muscular and cardiovascular hit and not wear an exoskeleton for running. And considering the marginal gains, we’re not quite ready to strap one on for a hike either, but the potential assistive benefits on offer here to people looking to maintain an active lifestyle who may struggle without support are clear.Watching the consumer exoskeleton industry develop will be fascinating, but please let that mean more representation of the people who will actually gain a significant advantage here rather than depicting able-bodied models sprinting up mountains. For now, if you do have $2,000 to spend, and a personal trainer or physiotherapist won’t help, the Hypershell X Ultra is, by leaps and bounds, the best exoskeleton available.CommentsBack to topTriangleYou Might Also LikeIn your inbox: Maxwell Zeff's dispatch from the heart of AIThe best EVs coming in 2026Big Story: Your first humanoid coworker will be ChineseWhat to do if ICE invades your neighborhoodSpecial edition: You’re already living in the Chinese centuryChris Haslam is an award-winning consumer technology journalist with over 20 years’ experience. As contributing editor for WIRED he specializes in audio, smart home, sustainability, and all things outdoors. Testing tents in McLaren’s Monsoon chamber remains a career highlight, while pitching reviews of exercise bikes a week before lockdown 1.0 was ... Read MoreXJeremy White is senior innovation editor at WIRED, overseeing gear coverage, with a focus on EVs and luxury. He also edits gear for the US and UK print editions. 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There’s One Clear WinnerWIRED put the latest consumer exoskeletons from Dnsys and Hypershell in a head-to-head test on a pro athletic track. On your marks …Deepfake ‘Nudify’ Technology Is Getting Darker—and More DangerousSexual deepfakes continue to get more sophisticated, capable, easy to access, and perilous for millions of women who are abused with the technology.Wired CouponsSquarespace Promo CodeExclusive 10% Off Squarespace Promo CodeLG Promo CodeBuy an eligible French Door Refrigerator and get a free Single Door Refrigerator (up to $515 value)!Dell Coupon Code10% off Dell Coupon Code for New CustomersSamsung Promo CodeSamsung Promo Code: 10% off TVsCanon Promo Code10% off Canon promo code with upgradeDoorDash Promo Code$25 off $25+ DoorDash Promo Code for New CustomersWIRED is obsessed with what comes next. Through rigorous investigations and game-changing reporting, we tell stories that don’t just reflect the moment—they help create it. 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The whirring, the jerky movements, the sheer audacity of strapping a robotic limb onto your body and attempting to run—it’s a spectacle, undeniably. After a rigorous head-to-head test between Dnsys and Hypershell exoskeletons on a London athletics track, one clear winner emerged: the Hypershell X Ultra. While both represent a fascinating, albeit nascent, technology, the Hypershell’s comfort, natural movement, and relative quietness tipped the scales significantly.

Chris Haslam, WIRED’s resident innovation editor, and Jeremy White, senior innovation editor, spent the day diligently documenting the performance of both devices, recording data on heart rate, pace, and distance. The goal was to objectively assess the marketing claims—42 percent lower heart rate, 20 percent less exertion—and determine if these advancements truly translated into tangible benefits. The initial findings, however, proved complex. While both exoskeletons demonstrably reduced physical effort, particularly for the more aerobically inclined, Jeremy’s results highlighted a critical disconnect. Despite tracking metrics, the data suggested that in practice, the Hypershell actually consumed more energy than running without assistance. This wasn't entirely surprising, given the inherent inefficiencies involved in mechanically augmenting human movement.

The core of the difference lay in the experience. Chris, a healthy and active 48-year-old, found the Hypershell more of a hindrance than a help, noting that the jerky movements felt unnatural and disruptive. However, his 76-year-old father was able to use the exoskeleton to climb a hill without his usual breather at the halfway point, showcasing the device's potential for age-related mobility assistance. These varying experiences underscored the profound impact of individual physiology – the exoskeleton’s effectiveness is heavily dependent on the user's baseline movement patterns and capabilities.

Both exoskeletons employed AI to adapt to the user's movements, but the technology’s execution differed markedly. Hypershell’s AI, developed in part by former engineers from DJI, Segway, and Xiaomi, focused on recognizing terrain and activities—uphill, downhill, stairs, running—and automatically adjusting its power output. Dnsys, boasting about its AI’s dynamic neural network assistance system, aimed to predict the user's next movement and adapt in milliseconds. While both systems sought to optimize performance, the Dnsys’s approach felt more intrusive and less intuitive, resulting in noticeably jerky leg movements.

The tests extended beyond simple sprints to assess stair climb performance and long-distance jogging. During the stair climb trials, the Hypershell offered the most natural stride pattern, supporting both up and down movement with remarkable agility. The Dnsys, in contrast, exhibited a more cartoonish and less fluid movement, creating a noticeable distraction for the testers.

Ultimately, the Hypershell’s comfort, natural movement, and relative quietness were the decisive factors. While the Dnsys offered a more powerful experience, the sheer audibility of its motor—described as resembling a RoboCop scene—became a significant impediment. It’s clear that the Dnsys isn't merely a performance enhancement; it’s a statement. The race was won by the Hypershell, but the implications going forward are much wider. The technology is in its early phase, but it already possesses remarkable potential.