Strava and Komoot Add Offline Maps to Apple Watch
▼ Summary
– Two popular fitness apps, Strava and Komoot, are adding offline maps to the Apple Watch, allowing users to view routes and record workouts without needing their iPhone.
– Strava’s offline maps are for subscribers only, while Komoot’s basic offering is free, though users may pay to unlock additional map regions.
– Komoot’s Apple Watch app includes turn-by-turn navigation, a feature currently absent from Strava’s more basic offline map implementation.
– This development helps close a functionality gap with Garmin watches and enhances the Apple Watch Ultra’s appeal for phone-free outdoor activities.
– Komoot’s product manager states the goal is a fully capable standalone watch app, giving users the freedom to disconnect from their phones while outdoors.
For cyclists, hikers, and runners who rely on their Apple Watch, a significant limitation has finally been addressed. Two of the most popular fitness platforms, Strava and Komoot, have now introduced offline maps for the wearable device. This development means athletes can finally leave their iPhones behind during a workout, viewing their planned routes and recording activities directly from their wrist without the extra bulk. It marks a substantial step forward in convenience and represents a direct challenge to dedicated sports watches from brands like Garmin.
Previously, the promise of a phone-free experience with an Apple Watch, especially the Ultra model, was undermined by this mapping gap. Users either had to carry their phone for navigation or invest in separate, specialized third-party apps. The integration of offline maps into these mainstream platforms streamlines the process considerably. However, the implementations from Strava and Komoot differ notably in their features and pricing.
Strava’s offering is currently available only to paying subscribers, who are charged $11.99 per month or $79.99 annually. Its initial version is described as quite basic, focusing on displaying the map and recording the activity without providing turn-by-turn navigation cues. In contrast, Komoot’s core offline maps functionality is free to use, though unlocking additional regions for planning may require a purchase. Crucially, Komoot’s Apple Watch app includes turn-by-turn navigation from the start, a feature highly valued for following unfamiliar trails or complex routes. Early reviews suggest Komoot’s execution, while starting with fundamental features, is more fully realized than Strava’s current effort.
The move is strategically important as Apple continues to enhance its wearable’s appeal to serious outdoor enthusiasts. By closing this functional gap, Strava and Komoot are directly eroding a key advantage held by traditional GPS sports watches. As one product manager noted, the goal is to create a truly self-sufficient experience on the wrist, allowing users to fully disconnect and immerse themselves in their activity without being tethered to a phone. Future updates are expected to bring even more advanced capabilities, such as automatic rerouting, making the Apple Watch an increasingly compelling tool for navigation and fitness tracking in the great outdoors.
(Source: The Verge)
