Apex 2 by HeroWear is a 1.2 kg passive back exosuit with 220 N assist, CE mark, and $1,195 list price. Specs, gaps, and who should avoid it.
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Editorial QA
Checked for sourced parameters, internal links and prohibited claims.
The Apex 2 is a passive exosuit: it uses elastic bands and technical textiles to store and release energy during bending, assisting hip extension when the wearer returns upright. It has no motors, no battery, and no sensors. HeroWear positions it for tasks that involve repeated forward bending and lifting, such as order picking, parcel handling, and light assembly. It is not a powered exoskeleton, so it does not provide active lift support beyond the elastic assistance, and it does not offer sit-to-stand support or telemetry. For procurement, the key distinction is that the Apex 2 is a wearable tool for reducing fatigue in manual handling, not a medical device or a strength-amplification system.
The table below compares the Apex 2 with three other industrial exoskeletons from the ExoSelect database. All figures are as supplied by manufacturers; missing data is marked Unknown or Not applicable.
| Parameter | Apex 2 (HeroWear) | Cray X (German Bionic) | Skelex 360 (Skelex) | MATE-XT (Comau) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | Passive | Active | Passive | Passive |
| Weight | 1.2 kg | 7.6 kg | 1.6 kg | 4.2 kg |
| Assist force | 220 N | 300 N | 70 N | 100 N |
| Assist torque | 22 Nm | 30 Nm | 12 Nm | 15 Nm |
| Lift support | 20 kg | 30 kg | 5 kg | 5 kg |
| Height range | 150–200 cm | 160–195 cm | 160–195 cm | 155–195 cm |
| User weight max | 125 kg | 110 kg | 110 kg | 100 kg |
| Sizes | XS–XXL | Adjustable, two frame sizes | Adjustable | Adjustable, one size |
| Certifications | CE | CE, ISO 13482 | CE | CE, ISO 13482 |
| Warranty | 12 months | Unknown | 24 months | Unknown |
| Price from | $1,195 | $9,900 | $4,900 | $5,900 |
| Regions | North America, Europe | Europe, North America | Europe, North America | Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific |
| Lead time | 2–4 weeks | 6–10 weeks | Contact maker | 4–8 weeks |
Note: The Apex 2 is a back-assist device, while the Skelex 360 and MATE-XT are shoulder-assist exoskeletons; the Cray X is an active back exoskeleton. The comparison is intended to highlight specification trade-offs, not direct functional equivalence.
The Apex 2’s low weight and passive design make it attractive for high-turnover environments where workers may resist wearing heavier equipment. Its 220 N assist is meaningful for repetitive lifting, and the 20 kg lift support suggests it can handle many warehouse and logistics tasks. However, the lack of sensors and connectivity means no usage data or compliance monitoring—a gap for operations that want to track adoption or correlate use with injury rates. For those needs, the Cray X with its Cray Visor app and cloud dashboard is the documented alternative, at a much higher price and weight. The Apex 2 is best seen as a low-cost, low-friction entry point for back-assist, not a data-driven safety platform.
Three parameters are missing or unverified in the supplied data, and each matters for procurement:
Additionally, the database lists “max walking speed,” “stair/slope capability,” and “battery” parameters as not applicable, which is correct for a passive suit. The missing piece is task-specific durability data—how the elastic bands perform over thousands of cycles—which is not disclosed.
At $1,195 list, the Apex 2 is one of the lower-priced industrial exoskeletons in the database. But procurement should budget beyond the unit price: sizing kits (XS–XXL may require multiple SKUs), training for correct fit and use, replacement elastic bands (not priced in the data), and cleaning/maintenance. The 12-month warranty may necessitate a spares budget earlier than systems with 24-month coverage. Lead time of 2–4 weeks is shorter than the Cray X (6–10 weeks) and MATE-XT (4–8 weeks), which helps pilot timelines. For a 50-unit deployment, the hardware cost is roughly $59,750 at list, but total program cost could be 20–30% higher with accessories and training—though exact figures are not disclosed.
Do not choose the Apex 2 if your primary need is overhead or shoulder support—it is a back-assist device, and the Skelex 360 or MATE-XT are designed for that. Also avoid it if you require usage telemetry or compliance data; the Apex 2 has no sensors or connectivity, so the Cray X is the documented alternative. Finally, if your workforce includes users above 125 kg or outside the 150–200 cm height range, the Apex 2 will not fit; consider the Cray X (up to 110 kg, 160–195 cm) or other systems with broader limits, though none in this dataset exceed 125 kg. For operations in Asia-Pacific, the Apex 2 is not listed as available (regions: North America, Europe), so you would need to confirm supply or choose MATE-XT, which lists Asia-Pacific.
Before committing, request the Apex 2 declaration of conformity to verify which standards are referenced, and ask HeroWear for a written warranty scope including wear parts. Compare the Apex 2 side-by-side with the Cray X on our compare page to weigh passive vs active trade-offs. For a tailored selection, contact our selection desk with your task profile and workforce dimensions. You can also review the full Apex 2 product page and the industrial exoskeleton category for more options.
220 N, with 22 Nm assist torque, according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
The database lists CE certification but does not disclose whether ISO 13482 is referenced. Buyers should request the declaration of conformity.
12 months, as stated in the supplied data. The scope of coverage is not detailed.
Sources: HeroWear official Apex 2 page (https://herowearexo.com/apex-2/); ExoSelect database record for Apex 2.
Editorial note
This analysis is based on published specifications and named sources. No first-party physical evaluation was performed.
Reviewed by the ExoSelect editorial desk
Sources and notes
