According to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Bal was an early investor in Oura, as well as serving as the company’s “primary marketing arm” in its early years as a cash-strapped start-up.

Another thing worth noting is a lot of people complain about the rings getting scratched, and showing signs of wear pretty quickly. I wore both of these nonstop throughout the day (including while lifting weights) and noticed the silver Ultrahuman was more resilient than the gold Oura, which did get a bit scratched up.

The Whoop band and its app feel more purposefully designed for fitness. While I definitely prefer the Oura Ring as a sleep tracker, the Whoop app and user experience is deeper and more versatile, casting a wide net for all types of athletes and performers.

A potential Oura Ring 5 may be a long way out, but I'm already hoping for these key features and improvements.