Right now, the market for fitness wearables seems saturated: everyone from Nike to Apple has a watch-style device to help you keep track of how far you walk or run, and some can even tell you how healthy your heart is.
That said, in spite of such variety, major manufacturers seem unwilling to break away from the familiar watch-like wristband format.
But what if you want your device to do something that's beyond the reach of a wrist-based wearable? Perhaps you already have a watch you like, or the current crop of fitness trackers are too bulky – or you're after specialised functions that go beyond tracking your Sunday jog around the park?
Well, the good news is, there's a wide variety of lesser-known options, all taking the most exciting wearable technology away from the wrist and into the future – and here's my pick of the best!
Omsignal Smart Bra
Smart clothing company OmSignal recently unveiled the OmBra– a new, more intimate type of fitness tracker.
What initially looks like a rather unassuming sports bra houses within it a device that sits above the torso, packing a smorgasbord of tracking features: it'll record distance, cadence, pace, heart rate and calories burned, to name a few!
All of the data it collects is then stored in a custom app that you can download to your smartphone – and this app is also able to extract your existing data from sources such as Strava, MapMyFitness, RunKeeper and Apple Health.
The app learns about you as you use it, and can give you the tools you need to run faster for longer – or simply compare how many calories you burn in front of the TV as opposed that Sunday afternoon jog! OmBra reads deeper into your biometrics than most wrist-mounted devices, which means that along with checking your heart rate, it can monitor your breathing and even how hard you push yourself through strength-based training like squats and pushups.
The starter kits contain a bra and the monitor device – additional sports bras can be purchased separately.
HexoSkin Biometric Shirt
HexoSkin’s biometric shirt is a portable lab that can monitor just about everything – the technology involved is mind-blowing!
Suitable for men and women, and compatible with both iOS and Android, with this you essentially have your own team of scientists wrapped up in a shirt! It can can monitor your heart recording variables such as fatigue and stress. It can keep track of your breathing volume as well as rate, helping to avoid hyperventilation. And of course, it also monitors your activities: intensity level, pace, steps and calories burned, and even your sleep quality, measuring both duration and body positions in sleep.
All the data that it collects is available for you to use in the manufacturer's own app – and because they use an 'Open Data API', the more technologically inclined can also download the raw data for use in third-party and custom analytics software! The app also has versions for wearable platforms – so if you’re pairing with your Apple Watch, you have access to your data from your wrist as well as your phone.
The shirt itself is available in long sleeve, short sleeve and vest styles, and is made of a high-performance, machine-washable Italian fabric. It is quick-drying, as well as breathable, chlorine resistant, UV protective and anti-odour!
Tommy Hilfiger Solar Jacket
Ever wish you had some more power on you when your phone's running low on battery? Tommy Hilfiger has taken the ability to charge your devices to the next level with their 'solar jacket', created with the assistance of solar manufacturers Pvilion.
With versions designed for both men and women, the backs of the jackets have solar panels attached. These high-tech oanels are water resistant, flexible and removable – and they'll store enough power to charge a 1,500 mAh battery four times before the jacket needs powering up again.
Inside the jacket is a pocket with two USB ports, and the jacket's built-in battery is located in a front pocket. How quickly the cells recharge will, of course, depend on how much sunshine is available – but the battery is removable if you want to charge it from the mains as well.
Samsung 'Welt'
Samsung showed off this conceptual 'Wellness Belt' – or, indeed, Welt– at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year.
Looking just like the sort of normal belt that might be seen on any pair of trousers across the globe, the clue that this is a 'smart belt' is the micro-USB port situated on the buckle.
Like most wearables, Samsung's Welt offers to help monitor your steps – but its unique selling point is the ability to record how much you've eaten based on the belt's tightness!
Right now, this unusual device is still only a concept – however, Samsung has said that it may become a consumer product in the future.
MimoBaby smart onesie
For the concerned, high-tech parents out there, MimoBaby is a smart wearable onesie that will monitor your baby’s vital signs while they sleep!
A small frog-shaped tracking device sits attached to the onesie, powered internally by a small Edison PC. It pairs with a parent’s phone via an app to let them see, in real time, their baby’s breathing pattern – and they can rest easily knowing that if the onesie detects no movement, they'll be alerted.
In fact, for those so inclined, there's a full 'smart nursery' solution available. The MimoBaby works with the Nest smart thermostat – so if the nursery temperature drops, Nest will automatically increase it to a more suitable temperature. Team it with NestCam, and you can also see your baby sleeping via the app.
As well as the onesie, you can also get motion sensor bedding – so if they’re not sleeping in their MimoBaby onesie, you can still be aware of your little one's movements and breathing patterns.
Does the thought of a smart bra or high-tech shirt get you hot under the collar, or will you be sticking with a traditional wearable for the time being? Whatever you reckon, let us know in the comments below!