In my almost 30 years on this planet, I’ve witnessed cassette tapes be replaced with CDs, which were replaced with MP3s, which were de facto replaced by streaming services, which are now…happily co-existing with 180-gram vinyl records? The point is, what’s old always finds a way to be new again, and the same holds true for wearable tech. After everyone’s iPhone came with an odometer, the once-hot accessory seemed doomed to go the way of the Zune. But a new batch of updated, fashion-forward options has made them trendy again, with the current status symbol of the moment being one that doesn’t look like wearable tech at all: The Oura Ring. Starting at $299, the Oura ring does way more than count your steps. The unassuming bauble tracks your sleep, monitors your heart rate, and can even map your workouts. As someone who has a soft spot for wearables, I knew I had to see what all the hype was about.
