In this review, I’ll be giving you the scoop on Zozosuit, an innovative piece of wearable tech brought to you by Zozofit. This product is different from any other health and fitness gear I’ve tried out before. In a way, it flips the idea of activity trackers, smart scales and other such products on its head.

Here’s the cool part. The Zozosuit makes a detailed 3D scan of your body using pictures taken from your smartphone from various angles. This helps in removing any potential for human error during measurements. You get a dependable way to keep an eye on your fitness progress or weight loss journey, all from the comfort of your home.

The best part about the Zozosuit? The price. At $98 on the company’s website, it’s not going to leave your wallet feeling light. Especially when you consider that other 3D scanning options on the market can be a lot more expensive.

In the subsequent sections of this review, I’ll be diving deeper into all the features of the Zozosuit, and how it could change the way we look at and keep track of our fitness.

Zozofit Zozosuit review: Design, hardware

Look & feel

The Zozosuit, with its futuristic, sci-fi-inspired design, is a two-piece garment that pairs with a smartphone app to do its thing. The current version is an upgraded model of the one sold back in 2018-2019, making it a second-generation garment of sorts.

In addition to the two piece suit, the box does not contain much else. That’s because it doesn’t need to. There’s a cardboard phone holder which you detach from the packaging. And that’s pretty much it.

The garment itself is crafted from polyester and polyurethane. Taking it out of the box, you’ll notice that it is impressively lightweight and slim. So much so that you can fold it up and it might even fit into your jeans pocket.

You’re meant to put it on every now and then, prop your phone on the handy pop-out stand that’s included, and follow the simple steps on the app to take your body measurements. But don’t worry, this strange-looking suit isn’t for wearing during your workouts – its job is just to help with the body scanning process.

When I first tried on the suit, it was a bit of a challenge. But over time, donning the suit became more comfortable. Unlike everyday clothes, the garment is form-fitting and stretchy, requiring a snug fit for accurate scans. And it can feel surprisingly tight. I was extra cautious to avoid ripping the material, but I quickly discovered that the design is resilient enough to stretch without the risk of tearing.

Getting a perfect fit

Let’s make it clear, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach here. The quest for the perfect Zozosuit fit begins with identifying your suitable size. Fortunately, this is easy. When ordering the Zozosuit, customers enter their height and weight measurements to receive their recommended suit size.

The device caters to a broad spectrum of body types – ranging from those weighing as little as 49 lbs and shorter than 5 feet, all the way up to those weighing more than 380 lbs and towering over 6 feet.

But what does this means if you’re on a journey of weight loss?

When my suit arrived, I found that it fit like a glove. As you shed pounds, you’ll eventually reach a point where you’ll need to switch to a smaller suit. A person on an extreme weight loss could potentially go through multiple different suit sizes, though this is quite unlikely. However, the possibility of downsizing one size is reasonably possible. At which point you will need a new suit.

Is that a significant sacrifice for embracing a healthier lifestyle? I believe it’s a small price to pay.

Under the Hood

Zozofit initially created the suit as a solution for badly fitting clothes, but users have found a lot more uses for it. Whether it’s for tracking fitness, weight loss, or bodybuilding and muscle gain progress, folks are putting this tech to work in all sorts of ways.

This gear is not your usual wearable tech. While others might come with a few health-tracking features, the Zozosuit focuses solely on tracking your body’s measurements.

The system is built to make a spot-on 3D model of your body. It does this with its special design, covered in white circular markers made from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), titanium dioxide, stabiliser, and thickener. In total, the suit takes about 400 different measurements to capture your body’s unique shape.

Maintaining the Zozosuit is fairly straightforward. Because it is made of fabric and contains no electronic components, you can care for yourself.

It is recommended to wash it infrequently in cold water separate from other laundry and line dry it. Frequent washing could cause damage to the circular markers, affecting the measurement precision. Which is why the company recommends washing your Zozosuit in a mesh bag to avoid the effects of a whitening detergent. Remember not to iron, dry clean or use bleach on your Zozosuit.

Zozofit Zozosuit review: Features

Setup

You can download the ZOZOFIT app from either the App Store or Google Play, helping you keep tabs on your progress over time. It even lets you share your body scans with doctors, coaches, or trainers, if needed.

Just a heads up, make sure your smartphone is fairly new. The Zozofit app works on iPhones (8 plus or later) and requires iOS 15 or above. You might be able to download the app on other devices, but it doesn’t guarantee compatibility. Check out the FAQ page on Zozofit’s website for a list of compatible phones.

I managed to get it working on my iPhone. But I also got it working on my iPad Pro that is about four years old, even though the tablet is not on the list of supported devices. Zozosuit doesn’t require pairing with the phone via Bluetooth as fitness trackers and smartwatches do.

It is also worth noting that, currently, you need to be in the United States to download the app since that’s where the suit is sold. But, there are ways around this. For example, on an iPhone, it is not difficult to download apps from the US store by opening a separate US account in addition to the one from your country. Do a quick Google search for info on ways this can be done.

How to use

The key feature of ZOZOFIT is its knack for creating a 360° view of your body, pointing out changes in specific areas as a result of different workouts and lifestyle choices. The iOS or Android app even calculates your body fat percentage, giving you a holistic view of your fitness journey. The method it uses for this is based on a formula from the U.S. Navy.

When my Zozosuit arrived, I couldn’t wait to start scanning. As you dive into the journey, you’ll stumbled upon some videos that will walk you through the scanning process. Picture the info as your personal GPS, steering you clear of any scanning blunders. In fact you’ll have the option to watch the short instruction videos each time you initiate a scan.

Next up, you’ll need to assess they scanning environment. It turns out, your location plays a role in a successful scan – a well lit room is a bonus, while mirrors can mess up the scanning technology.

If you have long hair, tie it back before scanning. Hair or jewellery covering the suit could cause some hiccups. So remove your watch, necklace and anything else that might impede with the scanning process.

Put the suit on and check that it is flat against your skin. There are a couple of markers that you’ll need to align with parts of your body. Also pull the top down and the bottom up so that they overlap. These simple tricks are there to boost the precision of your scan.

When it is time for the actual scan, you’ll need to stand about 6 feet away from your phone and keep you arms away from your body. The app will let you know if you are too near the phone or too far. And if all is good it will instruct you to turn while it takes pictures – starting from the 1 o’clock, 2′ oclock position, and so on. In total it captures 11 images. Which, with a little practice, can be done in under a minute.

I encountered no issues with the first two scans I conducted. However, the third one presented a challenge. The application repeatedly notified me that parts of the pants were folded, which I soon realised wasn’t the issue at all. The problem lay in the lighting. Once I relocated to a different area in the room, the scan proceeded flawlessly.

Analyzing the results

Where Zozosuit truly excels is – when it comes to the representation of results. The app offers a 3D model of your physique which can be manipulated for detailed inspection, including rotations and zoom-ins. There’s a comprehensive array of physical metrics available, such as Full Body, Body Fat Percentage, Shoulders, Upper Arms, Chest, Upper Waist, Lower Waist, Hips, Thighs, and Calves.

I appreciate that the measurement system includes a colour-coded comparison of recent results. It simplifies identifying body areas that have undergone changes. These alterations can also be viewed as percentages and absolute change for each body region. Moreover, you can choose to observe the disparity between your latest and any prior scans.

Alongside these, charts depicting the progression of all your measurements over time are available. A goal can be set which then appears as a green line on the chart.

Is Zozosuit accurate?

Regarding the accuracy of Zozosuit, I’ve found it surprisingly reliable for a device that performs 3D scanning from a distance of 6 feet. I cross-verified some of the measurements with a manual tape measure and they were nearly identical. Plus, the scanned image unmistakably closely resembled my body shape.

However, it is not flawless and you are not going to get 100% accurate measurements. There are some variations that might seem illogical, like the 2cm increase in my calf circumference over two days – an unlikely occurrence. Yet, overall, I believe it provides a solid approximation of your physique. Multiple scans should smoothen out these discrepancies.

“The accuracy of the ZOZOFIT app scans have a margin of error of ¼ of an inch, depending on the location of the measurement on your body.” Zozofit writes on its website.

As for body fat percentage calculation, it aligns with my expectations and results from other devices like smart scales. I look forward to tracking how this changes over time.

I actually envisage myself using the apparel maybe once a month, taking multiple measurements each time. By monitoring myself over extended periods, patterns and trends in my body metrics will become evident.

Zozofit Zozosuit review: The bottom line

Zozosuit is an impressively innovative piece of wearable tech that is unlike anything else I have come across. The standout feature is its ability to create a detailed, accurate 3D scan of your body using your smartphone, providing a comprehensive overview of your physique. It does this efficiently, affordably and from the comfort of your home, allowing you to track your fitness progress with ease.

The suit’s design is purposeful and practical, characterised by a lightweight, slim, and resilient garment that fits snuggly. The corresponding Zozosuit app is user-friendly, displaying a 360° view of your body and underscoring the areas that have seen changes over time. Its ability to offer a close-up view of certain parts of your body and its automatic calculation and monitoring of your overall body fat percentage add to its appeal.

While the accuracy of some of the measurements might occasionally falter, it still provides a trustworthy estimate of your body’s shape and size. I believe it can be especially useful for tracking long-term progress.

Zozosuit introduces a unique, instinctive, and user-friendly method for individuals to monitor their health and body. If you are determined to maintain a record of your fitness progress or weight loss journey, this $98 garment (check price on Zozofit website) is a sound investment that will likely pay dividends.

*We are a review site that receives a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you. Purchasing items by clicking on links in this article allows us to run this website. We are independently owned and all opinions expressed here are our own. See our affiliate disclosure page for more details.

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Importance of correct running form

Running is a popular fitness activity because of its health benefits, affordability and convenience. However the sport can cause injuries, often due to overtraining and people doing too much, too soon.

There are over 36 million active runners in the US and over 60% get some sort of injury each year. Overuse injuries can occur from training errors such as running frequency, speed, lack of leg strength and flexibility – alongside many other factors. 

The advantage of purchasing trackers that are located on your feet are that some of these devices improve not just how far and how fast you run, but also how well you run. They do this through parameters related to your running form such as foot landing, cadence, balance and time on the ground – metrics which you cannot get from wrist based trackers.

Correct form is very important for runners at all levels. Its not enough to simply focus on training, nutrition and hydration. Good posture and proper technique helps you move more efficiently, avoid injury and have a positive mental outlook.

Essential reading: Top GPS watches for running and training

You can take time to educate yourself or fork out for a fitness coach. But there may be a better way. The next level up from simply dishing out statistics, a growing number of wearables is providing users with real-time analysis of running form.

Best devices to track fitness form through your feet

While this market is still in its early stages, there are a few players that have already come out with some good options. Some of these will purely track your fitness, others will also spit out information of your running form.

1. Stryd

Stryd is a lightweight shoe-clip. Its main novelty is that it brings an entirely new metric to the world of running – power. Power is a single measure the incorporates speed, form, fatigue and terrain. This helps runners better pace their efforts. A simple tweak in effort can keep you going strong through the entire workout or race.

Simply set a power target and run to see results. Stryd accounts for terrain, form, and fatigue to tell you how hard to move. This allows you to run faster and not hit the wall.

There are other metrics, too. The full range includes: power, form power, leg spring stiffness, run stress score, ground time, vertical oscillation and cadence. Stryd measures everything with high accuracy, realtime pace and distance. The shoe-clip also plays nice with over 30 ANT+ Bluetooth sport watches such as the Apple Watch, Garmin, Suunto and Polar wearables.

And that’s only scratching the surface of what this little gadget can do. In our review we note that Stryd adds a whole new dimension to your training. Rather than overloading you with stats, it provides visually attractive, actionable information you can use to tweak your training or know here you are currently at.

Amazon*

2. Garmin Foot Pod

Small enough to attach to your shoelaces or fit in the mid-sole pocket of compatible shoes, this best selling gadget is easy to use. Much of its benefit is for those who regularly use a treadmill although it can be useful for outdoor runs, too.

The outstandingly robust device uses advanced MEMS inertial-sensor technology to achieve Garmin says 98% accuracy for speed and distance. The foot pod is compatible with most Garmin wearables, as well as third-party GPS watches that support ANT+ foot pods.

This is a great little gadget that will not set you back very much. The foot pad is powered by a small, replaceable watch battery which will keep you running for up to a year.

Amazon*

3. NURVV Run Insoles

Unveiled at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, NURVV Run are intelligent insoles that deliver insights and guidance on how to run faster and avoid injury.

Data is captured 1,000 times per second (per insole) and includes info on cadence, step length, foot-strike, pronation and balance. Users get real-time audio, visual and haptic feedback that includes personalized speed and technique workouts and guidance on achieving a pre-set target. The lightweight insoles are embedded with 32 high-precision sensors that work in conjunction with two GPS trackers

The accompanying smartphone app spits out more detailed guidance which includes a complete picture of your running technique. You also get a Running Health score after each run which shows your injury risk in an easy to understand way.

The smart insoles are probably the coolest running tech we’ve tested out. They are lightweight and durable – you really don’t feel them at all. The whole system is very easy to use and you can connect it to your Garmin or Apple Watch. Or simply use the insoles on their own or with the smartphone app.

Amazon*

4. Sensoria Socks

Sensoria’s smart fitness socks are a novelty in the world of running. They monitor cadence, foot landing and impact forces exerted by the runner, as well as actionable information from Sensoria’s AI coach on how to run farther, faster and healthier.

The high-tec socks are made of antibacterial, anti-blistering and sweat wicking material. Now on the second generation, they feature better textile pressure sensors and are two times lighter than before.

Sensoria Core has also received an upgrade recently. This is the unit which houses the technology and wirelessly relays data during your run to the Sensoria Fitness mobile app. Weighing less than half an ounce and measuring less than one square inch, the Core is now four time smaller and has double the battery life of the current ankle bracelet.

The upgraded Sensoria Run 2.0 app for iOS (and Web Dashboard v2.0), shows your run in detail and includes information such as a foot heat-map, foot landing, contact time on the ground, cadence, pace, heart rate (when connected with the Sensoria HRM or other devices), speed, distance, altitude gains, GPS track and more. The app also allows you to tailor your goals and track progress. And now there is the addition of the company’s artificial intelligence coach, Mara.

Sensoria*

5. Altra IQ Sports Shoes

Running shoe manufacturer Altra teamed up with iFit, a company that specializes in fitness wearables and associated software, to produce the IQ. These smart shoes feature a multi-sensored system within the length of the midsole that can sync your shoes to your smartphone and give you lots of useful data.

The shoe has a lot of features, but it’s really about tracking your form. And you don’t have to wait until the end of your run to see what you might be doing wrong. The app provides real-time suggestions on how to adjust your form, increase performance, and cut down the chances of picking up an injury. For example, it can tell you whether you are landing harder on one foot and whether impact concentrates on your heel rather than the mid foot or toes.

The Altra Torin IQ relays feedback in two way both through the app, and headphones. This is all customisable through the app. The system can also tell you stride length, speed, distance travelled, the amount of ground contact time, and cadence.

The shoes are available on Amazon and come in a both a men’s and women’s model. There are a number of colours to choose from.

6. Lechal Smart Insoles

Lechal insoles and buckles can turn your regular pair of shoes into your personal guide. Slip these smart insoles into your footwear and get help navigating. The gizmo connects to the GPS on your phone to lead you to your destination. All you need to do is set your destination in the accompanying app and follow the series of simple vibrations and patterns. The shoe that vibrates is the way to go.

The intelligent insoles also double-up as a fitness tracker. They’ll keep tabs on steps taken, calories burnt, distance travelled and more. You can also sync data with Apple Health and the Google fit app. Battery life is a perfectly respectable 15 days on a single charge.

Amazon*

7. Zwift RunPod

Zwift have recently released a RunPod. It connects to your smart gear so you can train in the comfort of your home or on the gym treadmill.

For those not in the know, Zwift is an online training platform that creates virtual training courses. This includes anything from the fantasy island of Watopia, to routes inspired by Central London. The system takes the data from footpods to power your avatar. You can run alongside friends, those in the Zwift community and even compete for real-world prizes.

The release of the pod follows the acquisition of running tech business Milestone by Zwift. The goal all along was the come up with Zwift’s own footpod, essentially a refined version of the popular MilestonePod. Something that has a more responsive feel for both indoor and outdoor running.

The Zwift RunPod is a low cost alternative to more sophisticated foot pods from the likes of Garmin, Styd and Polar. It gives those who don’t already such a device, a cost effective way to get into the game.

The Pod measures and broadcasts speed, cadence and distance when paired with Zwift via Bluetooth. RunPod calibration can be done within Zwift, so all you need to do is clip it on to your shoes and you’re ready to go.

Amazon*

8. Moov Now

Moov Now is a one of a kind wearable fitness coach that actively monitors your activity and talks to you as you work out. The multi-sport gadget essentially translates your exact movement into real-time coaching and lets you know if you are performing exercises correctly. It does this through use of the 9 axis motion sensing system – including an accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer.

For running, the device not only helps you improve your performance and stamina, but it also corrects your form. It monitors your landing impact, cadence, and range of motion, and watches out for you to prevent injury, while pushing your limits.

Amazon | Moov*

9. Lumo Run

Lumo Run is a small and discreet sensor that measures and coaches you on your running form to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. This standalone gadget, which measures only 25 grams, clips onto the back of the waistband and works with any pair of running shorts.

The device can measure a whole host of metrics including cadence, bounce, braking, pelvic drop and rotation. You’ll also get feedback on your form through your headphones as you run, along with personalized coaching tips and recommended exercises.

Amazon*

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Moore’s Law contends that as components get smaller, products gain efficiency and become more powerful. The law is part of a continuum of exponential expansion of computational power that extends back hundreds and hundreds of years. This means, as technology shrinks in size and comes down in price, wearables will increasingly go beyond your wrist. The future will be more about sensing all around the body.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets you can buy today

As hard as it is to believe, ultimately wearables will go much further, even going into ingestible technology. In the next few years it is likely that we will start to rely on embedded devices – technology that is physically implanted into our bodies.

Computers are no longer just for our desks and pockets. They are now displayed on our bodies and will one day be merged with them. The innovations that will enable this are inevitable. And in fact, they are already well underway.

The best technology is invisible. This the road we’re going down.

Hearables

Ever wonder what your heart rate is when you’re running while listening to music? The ear provides a great platform for doing this kind of biometric measurement. Earbuds, rather than watches, tend to be the most accurate heart-rate monitors on the market, outperformed only by traditional chest straps.

Headphones are also great for people who work out and want to check their steps, distance traveled, and calories burned, on the fly. Some smart earbuds even claim to be able to track brain waves through EEG and provide real-time feedback about focus, stress, sleep patterns, and relaxation.

Connected footware

There are around 40 million active runners in the US and over 60% get some sort of injury each year. The advantage of purchasing trackers that are located on your feet are that these devices improve not just how far and how fast you run, but also how well you run.

Essential reading: Smart shoes – tracking fitness through your feet

They do this through parameters related to your running form such as foot landing, cadence and time on the ground – metrics which you cannot get from wrist based trackers. After all, the feet are the most logical place from which to monitor steps, distance and other associated metrics.

Smart rings

Smart rings are making a strong showing in recent years. Indistinguishable from regular jewelry in looks, these are gadgets that house some serious smarts.

Research suggests that we check our phone every six and a half minutes and many of these result from notifications that least interest us or can wait for us to attend to them later. With your cellular device tucked away in your pocket or bag, you can now use a smart ring to attend to only those notifications that deserve your attention. The rest can wait.

Essential reading: Smart rings: jewelry that keeps you connected

Because your fingers have easy-to-sense arteries, some of these devices are also able to gather precise data of your body’s vital signals. Then there are others that can be used to unlock your doors or smartphones or even send SOS messages.

Heart rate chest straps

Many fitness trackers claim to be able to monitor your heart rate without the chest strap. They operate by shining a light into your wrist, which is then reflected by blood vessels passing through your veins. When your heart pumps, the blood moves through your veins at a quicker rate, causing less light to be reflected back. The tracker will then calculate your heart rate using an algorithm.

Essential reading: Best heart rate chest straps

The current trend may be to move heart-rate monitoring away from the chest and over to the wrist but accuracy at these new locations is still questionable. Particularly for high intensity workouts. If you are very serious about heart rate training, a chest rate heart rate monitor is still the way to go.

Smart clothes

Sensors embedded into your every day wear are in a perfect position to understand the minute workings of your body. From monitoring your heat rate to analyzing your sweat and keeping tabs on your breathing – the possibilities are endless. Best of all, some of these are items you would have worn anyway, but smarter. Which means no extra effort or adjustments to your routine.

First generation sensors are attached to apparel and this is the approach currently taken by major sportswear brands such as Adidas and Under Armour. Second generation products embed the sensor in the garment itself as demonstrated by products from Ralph Lauren. In third generation the garment will be the sensor.

Connected jewellery

If wearable tech is really going to take off it needs some fashion sense. It is clear that at the moment, such devices are still more popular with men than women. Around 70% of Fitbit’s profits are accounted for by men. Furthermore, even though 95% of women are aware of wearable technology, only a third of them have followed through with a purchase.

Essential reading: Best activity trackers for women

This is changing, however, and there is a growing number of gadgets designed specifically for women. Smart jewellery is an emerging category which ranges from devices that alert you to important calls and messages to those that are meant to serve as protection. With technological advancements squeezing more power into smaller spaces, the era of smart jewelry is now well upon us.

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Announced at Google I/O back in 2014, the first generation of the garment was not just about looking cool. It also provided useful functionality. This was the first commercial product to use touch-sensitive fabric developed as part of Google’s Project Jacquard.

The original $350 Commuter Jacket jacket was released some two years ago. It allows users to send commands to their smartphone while on the go. The jacket uses Bluetooth to connect the conductive yarns in the its cuff and electronic tab to the mobile device. Remove the tag, and the entire garment is washable and durable – just like regular denim.

The second generation products are more normal looking than the original. This is because the Bluetooth module which slips into the cuff is smaller.

The other difference is that the companies are using a new method of manufacturing. This does away with the complicated process of integrating the touch-sensitive yarns into the sleeve making the product much less expensive.

Mind you, all the old functionality is still there. Touching the tag in different ways allows you to send commands to your smartphone while on the go. Users can ask for directions, answer calls, control music playback and more. Wearers also get notifications for incoming calls via haptic feedback and light. All of this is configurable in the accompanying smartphone app.

The Trucker Jacket will cost $198 when it hits the shops, and the Sherpa Jacket which adds cold weather insulation $248. They come in men’s and women’s sizes and should be more widely available than the original Commuter Jacket.

Google seems to be ramping up its efforts in the connected clothing space. Just last week it announced a high-end rucksack called YSL Cit-e Backpack. This product is also a part of Project Jacquard. Developed in collaboration with Saint Laurent, the rucksack can control music, take pictures and more.

Source: Business Insider

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Google’s first endeavor into the world of smart garments started back in 2015. The first result came two years later in the form of a connected jacket. Developed together with denim manufacturer Levi’s, the $350 Commuter Trucker Jacket contains a Bluetooth tag that wirelessly connects the conductive yarns in the jacket’s cuff.

Touching the tag in different ways allows users to send commands to their smartphone. For example, you can ask for directions, answer calls and control music playback, all with your phone safely tucked away. You also get notifications for incoming calls via haptic feedback and light.

Google is back now with a more practical product. The second entry in the company’s Jacquard lineup comes in the form of a smart rucksack.

YSL Cit-e Backpack is made of 100% nylon and measures 31cm wide, 41cm tall, and 22cm deep, in black colour only. The French luxury fashion house Saint Laurent signature is embossed on the exterior zip pocket. There’s also an interior key clip, cell phone pocket, zip compartment and a padded slot pocket. Pretty standard stuff so far. But this backpack goes further.

The left strap of the thing is integrated with Jacquard technology, enabling the backpack to respond to touch and tap gestures. This is also where a light indicator sits. It glows in different colors to let you know, for example, when you have a notification or left your phone behind. You also get a tactile nudge.

Other things you can do include controlling your phone’s camera, drop pins on the go, as well as pause music, skip a song, or hear the title of what is currently playing. You can also ask Google Assistant for updates on traffic, weather and news, and even define specific gestures for specific questions.

Rather cleverly the smarts that connect the backpack to the smartphone app are hidden in the Jacquard Tag. Google says the electronic component has now been reduced to the size of an SD card. Apart from you no-one will know this is anything but a normal designer rucksack.

Now for the bad news. A typical backpack will set you back less than $50 but this one goes for a hefty $995! Unless you have very deep pockets this is definitely not a purchase you will make off the cuff.

If the price has not sent you running in the opposite direction, YSL Cit-e Backpack is available for pre-order on ysl.com. The estimated shipping date is “no later than” October 15, 2019. For the rest of us, Google says it has plans to bring more affordable threads in the future.

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It’s only a matter of time before smart clothing makes it into the mainstream. After all, sensors embedded into fabric that covers the body are in a much better position to monitor your fitness than something that sits on your wrist. You wear these items anyway, it’s just that they are smarter.

The current generation of sensors are either attached to apparel or embedded into the garment itself. However, the problem with most of these devices is that they are pricey. Xiaomi’s crowdfunded shirt, on the other hand, is quite cheap. Particularly when you take into account everything that it delivers.

Zenph Smart Fitness Sportswear comes equipped with an Intexar Intelligent sensor, manufactured by DuPont Graphite technology. It actually slightly resembles a heart rate tracking chest strap pod. The ECG sensor and other smarts inside gather real-time information on a users heart rate, respiratory rate, calories burned, movements and more . The manufacturer claims the heart rate and respiratory rate data is of medical level accuracy.

As you’d expect, the thing is also equipped with a Bluetooth sensor. This allows it to communicate with the accompanying smartphone app where you can delve into a plethora of analytical reports. The app comes with coaching features for a variety of sports.

Finally, there’s also a clever voice warning feature. If your heart rate or state of the body falls within a dangerous range, the mobile phone will spit out a voice an alert. The aim here is to prevent sports injuries.

In terms of design, the elegant looking shirt is manufactured using German patented SensElast3D printing technology. Xiaomi says the fabric is very elastic, it has good air ventilating properties and is quick drying. You can wash it repeatedly without worrying about damage – once you remove the sensor, of course.

The intelligent shirt is available in five sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL for both men and women. It can be picked up on Xiaomi’s YouPin crowdfunding platform. Delivery is scheduled from July 20th.

Source: xiaomiyoupin.com.

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Smart rings have been around for a while now but we’ve yet to see one truly take off. A team from India is attempting to change this with AINA Ring.

What’s most innovative about this gadget is that it attempts to use Behavioural AI to anticipate what a user needs next. What this means is that it learns your behaviour and throws up shortcuts at just the right moment. Or at least it tries to do so. For example, just before you go to sleep it might become a light switch.

Essential reading: Smart rings – jewellery meet technology

AINA connects to your smartphone Bluetooth 5.0 and functions as a portal for controlling smart home devices, booking cabs and unlocking things. It’s controlled using 4 swipe gestures in 4 directions on the touch sensitive area of the ring. There’s also a small 200 DPI OLED display which shows the time, recent notifications and AI shortcuts.

According to the Kickstarter page, AINA makes talking on the phone or to voice assistants easier. Just place your fingertips near your ear and start talking. It comes with something called NFDS (Near Field Directional Sound) which projects sound in a focused beam towards your ear.

Other functions include Sound ID and Modes. The first uses encrypted sound signals to perform secure payments, access public transport and unlock devices. The second uses voice control to activate specific Modes such as SOS, music control, slide-show control and more.

Finally, Aina also functions as a very basic fitness tracker. It has a 6-axis motion sensor inside which will keep tabs on your steps and calories. The 50mAh Battery has enough juice for 1.5-2.5 hours of talk-time and 36 hours standby.

As you’d expect, the rather large looking ring also comes with a smartphone app which you can use to select which applications you want shortcuts for. It takes about 3 weeks for the gizmo to learn your behaviour related to the selected applications and start spitting out shortcut predictions. The company says, in time these shortcuts will become more accurate.

The project to make this ring a reality is live on Kickstarter now. There are a number of design options to choose from including Gold plated, Platinum plated and Rose Gold plated precious metals series, as well as Gloss Black Rhodium plated, Matte Grey anodised and Mate Black anodised texture series.

If you want in it will cost you upwards of $249. Delivery is expected at the start of next year. Usual warnings about crowdfunded projects apply.

Price: $249 and up

Funding open:

$14,814 raised out of $30,000 goal
33 days to go

Estimated delivery: January 2020

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Launched a few years ago, this is one of the best smart rings around. The gizmo is perhaps best known for the quality of it’s sleep tracking. Oura Ring automatically detects and analyzes the quality of your rest and recovery by measuring your heart rate, pulse wave form, respiration rate, body temperature, movement and more.

While you are awake, Ōura keeps tabs on physical activity and time spent sitting. The ring counts your daily steps and total distance traveled. It also estimates the calories burned per day.

With this new feature, the biometric ring helps you deal with stress. It does this by tapping into resting heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) readings from the palmar arteries at the finger. Both measurements are highly correlated with stress and heart health.

If you are feeling stressed, the central nervous system orders the heart, brain and muscles, to prepare for a fight-or-flight situation. This leads to an increase in your resting heart rate. Lower heart rate values are, therefore, generally considered as a good thing.

On the other hand, you should be aiming for a high HRV. Its a bit counter-intuitive, but a healthy HRV should not be beating at a perfect tempo. Research has shown that when your HRV is high, your body is showing better stress resilience and health. Which means, the more variability between heartbeats, the better.

It is a well known fact that regular meditation has a positive effect on stress levels, sleep and overall health. Moment allows you to quantify your progress by tracking your meditation session time, resting heart rate trends and HRV values.

Simply choose a session length and set your soundscape or opt for a silent session. You can use it along with your favorite guided meditation app or video or, go freestyle. While you’re sitting still the ring will calculate the beat-by-beat difference in pulse. Once you’re done, simply close the session, and optionally tag it with a session type and rating on how it went.

The more you use the feature, the more data you’ll have to work with. Keeping tabs on these values will allow you to self-asses how varying meditation sessions affect you physiologically, and choose the best one for your unique needs.

“As a society, we’ve become more distracted than ever and it’s wearing on our bodies and minds. Sleep and meditation are investments in our future self which helps bring more connection, awareness, and presence into our lives,” said Oura CEO Harpreet Rai.

“Moment is an exciting expansion of our services to help our users be better rested, more productive and ready to make the most of every day.”

Oura says Moment is currently only available for iPhone users with a second generation ring and app version 2.6.0 or above. An Android app is set to land later in the year.

The intelligent ring is used by 75,000 individuals in over 100 countries. To find out more or purchase, head over to Ōuraring.com.

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The outfit is a division of the multinational conglomerate Alphabet which is the parent company of Google. Earlier this month, Verily announced that its Study Watch has received limited FDA clearance for its on-demand ECG feature. Since its launch in 2017, the timepiece has been used in a variety of clinical studies.

Verily is also working on wide range of other health-related hardware projects. This includes smart contact lenses and an intelligent spoon that makes eating easier for people with movement disorders.

As reported by CNBC, the company is now showing off a smart shoe prototype. The footwear measures movement and weight, and has the ability to detect when you’ve fallen.

Fall detection is not entirely new. Most famously, Apple has added the feature in its Series 4 watch. There is more than one way to trip, slip or fall and Apple’s device can identify a number of them based on your wrist trajectory and impact acceleration. The watch then asks if you are ok and gives you option to contact emergency.

It makes sense for Verily to focus on a fall detection feature. Like it’s other products, the shoes are not designed with activity tracking in mind. Instead, they would be targeted towards the Baby Boomers generation and those with mobility issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injury for elderly Americans.

Similarly, the weight tracking feature would be less about fitness and more about providing vital medical data. The shoes would aim to identify rapid weight gain, which is one of the signs of congestive heart failure. The ultimate goal is to identify issues before they have a chance develop into more serious problems. It would mean, though, a user would have to wear the same shoes every day – which is not that practical.

It’s still too early to say whether Verily’s latest venture makes it into a real-world product. CNBC says the company is currently looking for partners interested in helping them bring the shoes to market.

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The German athletic apparel and footwear brand is offering fans the chance to beta test the product ahead of its official launch in the Spring of 2020. Some 20 lucky members of the public will be chosen along with a few others such as Formula One star Lewis Hamilton. You can apply to join in the fun by downloading the Pumatec app.

“We’re on the ten-yard line,” said Charles Johnson, Puma’s global director of innovation.

“The product is working, we’ve got it functional but we really want to have some additional learning before we bring it to market.”

The lightweight shoe is designed for workouts and running. Unlike the $350 Nike Adapt BB which tighten automatically, a user will need to swipe up on the small motor located on the boot’s tongue. The laces, which tighten or loosen the grip around the foot, are concealed inside the lining. They apparently learn to adapt to the shape of the wearers foot over time.

Blue LEDs will light up as the shoes tighten. To untie and remove them, the wearer will need to swipe in the opposite direction. Just like the Nike sneakers, all this can also be done by using a smartphone app. The other alternative is the Apple Watch, which connects to the shoe through a bluetooth connection.

All this is powered by a motor hidden inside the insole. Puma says the battery can run up to a week on a single charge. When there no juice left, the shoes can be refuelled by placing them on a wireless charging plate.

These are actually not Puma’s first self-lacing shoes. Fit Intelligence represents an evolution of its AutoDisc line, which launched some three years ago.

Last month the company brought back what many consider to be one of the world’s first smart fitness wearables – the RS-Computer Shoe. To better track your fitness Puma slapped on modern tech to the footware, in the form of a three-axis accelerometer, memory to store 30 days worth of workouts, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for charging.

Fit Intelligence will make their public debut in just over a year’s time. We will update you, of course, as the launch draws closer.

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