Outdoor exoskeleton maker Hypershell launched its new X Ultra S device on May 20, 2026, priced at $1,999, alongside two lower-cost models aimed at different levels of support and terrain capability.
The company chose the Grand Canyon as the setting for a product demonstration, bringing along a reviewer from CNET who has spinal stenosis, a condition involving a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on nerves, and who normally relies on a cane for walks longer than 5,000 steps. The device was tested on a trail described as a natural staircase, with the reviewer attempting to climb a 100-foot section of the path.
The Hypershell X Ultra S wraps around the waist with a battery pack sitting in the small of the back. Two arms extend around the hips, where the motors are located, and buckle onto the legs. The unit weighs just under five pounds and is built from carbon fiber and titanium. The arms are adjustable to accommodate different body sizes. The company's website lists a recommended weight limit that stops at 227 pounds for a six-foot frame.
The new lineup includes the X Ultra S at $1,999, the X Max S at $1,499, and the X Pro S at $999. The three models differ in the level of support they provide, their terrain capability, and their range.
Angus Fan, Hypershell's chief product officer, described the current state of the technology in measured terms. "The tech will be ready eventually, but for now, we have more humble aspirations of endurance extension," Fan said in an interview with CNET.
The reviewer, who tested the device alongside a 15-year-old competitive athlete, found that the exoskeleton did not eliminate the physical difficulty of climbing. The device is positioned as a tool for extending how long and how far a person can walk, rather than replacing the physical effort of hiking entirely.
The Hypershell X Ultra S is the company's highest-end offering to date, and its launch marks the brand's most visible public demonstration of the product. Whether devices like this can find a wide consumer market outside of specialized use cases such as mobility assistance or long-distance hiking remains an open question the company has not yet answered.
