Strava and Komoot — two of the most popular apps for cyclists, hikers, and runners — are each bringing offline maps to the Apple Watch, ending a major source of frustration for many. Now you can easily see routes and record your workouts all in your preferred app, without having to bring along a relatively heavy and cumbersome iPhone.
Strava says the offline maps are only available to subscribers, but Komoot’s offering is free (though you might have to pay to unlock additional map regions) and also bakes in turn-by-turn navigation. Strava subscribers pay $11.99/month or $79.99/year plus any taxes.
One of the biggest selling points of the Apple Watch Ultra has been its ability to function without an iPhone. But athletes still needed to bring their phones along if they wanted glanceable, turn-by-turn routes on their wrists, or pay extra for apps like WorkOutDoors or (my personal favorite) Footpath. Switching between apps was less than seamless and downright oppressive compared to wearing a Garmin watch. Offline maps in Strava and Komoot brings the two platforms closer together as Apple slowly pecks away at Garmin’s advantages.
DesFit has an excellent overview of the Komoot app, which does the basics for now, but does them better than Strava. Komoot says more advanced features like auto-rerouting will arrive in future updates.
“Our goal was to make Komoot’s Apple Watch app fully capable on its own,” said Tom Eldred, product manager at Komoot. “For many of us, the ability to disconnect is the best part of being outdoors, so we wanted the community to have the freedom to leave their phone at home — or at least in their pocket.”
