GEAR | Hiking The Welsh 3000 With The Hypershell X Ultra Exoskeleton Review
There’s a special sense of inner quiet and a magical feeling of anticipation that hits me before a big day in the mountains, an expansive feeling made all the more vivid by the crisp freshness of autumn, my very favourite season for hiking. Walk with me as I share my experience of testing out the Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton.
On a bright, clear morning in Snowdonia, I stood at the base of the Glyderau range, 15 kilometres of rugged terrain and 900 metres of ascent ahead, ready to test an exciting bit of technology that promises to redefine limits: the Hypershell X Ultra exoskeleton.
@campingwithstyle Yesterday I joined a group for a day completing a section of the Welsh 3000, led by the fab team at @RAW Adventures This was a fairly challenging climb for me – hot off the back of a series of autoimmune flares – I didn't know if doing this was a good idea, but testing out the @Hypershell X Ultra exo skeleton, released just 2 weeks ago, was an opportunity I wasn't about to miss out on. 15k, 877m ascent, 3 different peaks and just under 8 hours out in the glorious Snowdon Massif on a spectacular autumn day with some great people 🤩 The tech was phenomenal, helping to reduce load on my hips in particular, which given my early stage Ankylosing Spondylitis, I was particularly grateful for, and it really did make a difference. The exo skeleton absolutely isn't a replacement for fitness or mountain experience, but in terms of dampening some of the joint strain, writing the following day, I feel the usual acute ache of well used muscles rather than the searing pain in my joints that can often happen after a big walk. That's massive 🙌🏽 I'll be writing in more detail about the HyperShell X Ultra on the blog soon! #chronicillness #exoskeleton #hypershell #glyderau #adventure ♬ Emotions – ZydSounds
With chronic pain and a long-term condition like Ankylosing Spondylitis, I’m used to being careful about how far I push my body. Hill walks or a day of snowboarding are usually followed by days of pain and fatigue, so the idea of a robotic support system that could take some of the load off my hip flexors felt almost too good to be true.
The glorious bright sunshine, the energy of our small hiking group led by the superb team at RAW Adventure, and the chance to try something genuinely futuristic had me grinning ear to ear before we’d even taken our first steps, eager to put myself and the clever tech to the test.
First Impressions and Getting Started
The X Ultra looks more sci-fi than sportswear, all sleek carbon fibre curves and titanium alloy joints, yet once it’s fitted, it feels surprisingly natural. The 1.8kg weight barely registered, and once I’d tightened the waist and thigh straps, it quickly felt like part of me.
The device is synced and controlled through the Hypershell app, which connected quickly via Bluetooth. After entering a few key personal stats, it began learning and adapting to my stride and movement pattern.
I started the day in Eco mode, with the assist set to 30%. The first couple of kilometres followed a steady incline along a clear mountain path, the perfect opportunity to get used to the sensation of my legs feeling feather-light.
The more you wear it, the more it adapts to your natural rhythm and stride, so each step feels smoother and takes less effort. Within minutes, it felt like the exoskeleton and I were in sync; it wasn’t pushing me forward so much as gently maximising my effort, quietly lending power where I needed it and all with a faint, barely noticeable hum.
Up Into the Mountains
As the terrain shifted and we began a steep climb through scree and boulder fields, I increased the Eco mode power to 60%, then up to 80% before eventually switching to Hyper mode for the steepest sections.
That’s where the magic really kicked in. The 1,000W peak motor system delivered bursts of power that made long uphill stretches feel more manageable. The best way to describe it is that each time you lift your leg, your legs feel lighter and it takes a bit less effort, which in real terms, for this 50-year-old who walks a lot but very rarely tackles challenging terrain, meant less huffing and puffing, fewer rest stops and ultimately, reduced fatigue.
On smoother paths, the adaptive motion recognition handled everything seamlessly, though in trickier spots, like our Devil’s Kitchen descent, with its uneven rocks and sudden shifts, the exoskeleton hesitated a few times. Even then, I was impressed by how quickly it adjusted once we hit more stable ground.
We paused for lunch beside a beautiful mountain lake, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I could sit cross-legged on the ground in my usual way, without needing to remove or adjust the device; it moved naturally with me.
The only small gripe I had was with my backpack. My Osprey Hikelite 26 sat a little awkwardly high on my back due to the exoskeleton’s rear battery placement at the waist, so next time I’d opt for a shorter, softer daypack without a rigid frame.
Power, Performance, and Practicalities
Each battery lasts up to 30km in Eco mode (around 7.5 hours) or about 5.3km in Hyper mode (roughly 80 minutes). We each carried a second battery and I swapped to mine just before the final descent, but only because we’d been deliberately pushing Hyper mode’s limits. In a typical day’s hike, I think Eco mode would be plenty, with a few bursts of higher power for steep ascent sections.
Charging is refreshingly simple, requiring just a USB-C cable and around 90 minutes to full power. Hypershell says the M-One Ultra motor system reduces overall physical exertion by up to 39% and average heart rate by 22% and based on how I felt afterwards, that seems entirely believable.
The Real Difference
There are 12 activity modes, from uphill walking and gravel paths to running and cycling, but for me, it was the descent assist and hip flexor support that truly stood out. On the long descent into the stunning Ogwen Valley, my knees and hips, usually the first to complain, felt tired but not painful.
By the time we reached Llyn Idwal and the ranger base, I wasn’t aching in that all-too-familiar painful way. Instead, I felt the satisfying fatigue of a solid day outdoors, the kind you earn from movement, not pain. Without the Ultra X exoskeleton, I have no doubt I’d have moved more slowly on ascents and would have needed to take more frequent stops to catch my breath on particularly steep sections.
Final Thoughts
Much like an e-bike, the Hypershell X Ultra doesn’t do the work for you; you still have to earn every summit. But it does make the journey that bit more accessible, whether you’re recovering from injury, managing a chronic condition, or simply looking to extend your range.
For me, the biggest revelation was psychological, knowing I could hike a full day in the mountains without triggering days of pain afterwards. That kind of freedom is hard to quantify, but it’s huge.
The Hypershell X Ultra isn’t just a gadget; it’s a glimpse into how wearable robotics could reshape outdoor adventure, making longer or more challenging hikes accessible again. For those of us with mobility issues who still crave big days in the mountains, that’s a game-changer.
It gave me the confidence that I wouldn’t have to tap out halfway, and whilst it didn’t create a false sense of invincibility and is not a replacement for fitness, it absolutely provided the reassurance I often lack, helping me feel like the strongest, most capable version of myself. And yes, maybe just a little bit like the Bionic Woman.
Find out more about the Hypershell X Ultra: RRP £1,559.
Where to next?
- WELLBEING | A Snowdonia Walk And Thoughts On Experiencing Adversity Positively
- CAMPSITES | Llyn Gwynant Campsite in Snowdonia, North Wales Review
- CAMPSITE | Snowdon Base Camp Campsite Review
From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.
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