Strava has released its new update that expands its walking-focused features. The innovations introduced by the company with version 467.0.0 bring improvements in many areas, from route planning to navigation and activity sharing. The update was developed in parallel with the rapid growth of walking communities on the platform, especially recently. According to data shared by Strava, the number of walking clubs has increased 5.8 times in the last year.
The new version includes several features that cover both free users and subscribers. However, some functions such as advanced route creation tools and offline navigation are offered as part of a paid subscription. With these innovations, the company aims to make users’ pre-walk planning processes and their experiences on the track more comprehensive.
The Route Discovery feature offered by Strava allows users to discover popular walking routes around them. This system works similar to the route suggestions that the application previously offered in the running and walking categories. In addition, thanks to the tool called Route Builder, users can create their own walking routes. Total distance and altitude information can also be displayed while the route is being prepared. Thus, it is possible to get a clearer idea about the difficulty level of the track before the walk.
Strava also offers innovations on Apple Watch and offline navigation
One of the notable innovations of the update is on the navigation side. Users can now receive warnings when they go outside the specified route. In addition, downloading the routes to devices and using them without an internet connection is also supported. This feature can be a practical advantage, especially in mountainous or rural areas where mobile coverage is limited.
An important innovation is also offered for Apple Watch users. Strava now supports route tracking directly on Apple Watch. Thus, there is no need to constantly carry an iPhone to see the directions while walking. In addition, live altitude data has been added to the application. Users can track their walks in more detail via a full-screen recording map that can be accessed with a single touch.
Sharing tools have also been expanded with the update. Users can share their completed activities with new statistics tags. While support is being developed for walking-oriented clubs, it is also possible to view completed routes with three-dimensional aerial view-like animations. In addition, the Activity Replays feature is now available for paid subscribers. With this tool, users can re-track the progress of their walking or other activities over time.
Strava states that most of the features that come with the update are available for use. However, we will have to wait a little longer for some improvements on the map side. The company announced that the new map style, which will include more detailed ground information and points of interest, will be gradually offered to users during the summer months. When these improvements are completed, Strava’s walking-focused toolset will have a more comprehensive structure in terms of both route planning and field navigation. However, the fact that a significant portion of advanced functions require subscription stands out as an element that should be taken into consideration for free users.