2024-02-02, 03:51 PM
(2024-02-02, 11:25 AM)TacoLand Wrote: What's the deal with Gaia versus Strava for tracking hikes? Ever since I started road cycling I've been 100% Strava, even though it seems like it isn't really / at all meant for hikers.
GaiaGPS is best for mapping, navigation, and exploration. Strava is for tracking exercises.
Gaia isn't going to tell you anything about how many calories you burned, heart rate, how far you ran last month compared to this one, etc.
I've barely used Strava though, and never paid for it, so I'm possibly uninformed on the capabilities. The free version of GaiaGPS is very usable though. Give it a try. The main reason you would pay is to get all the extra map layers which I find invaluable. For example: public lands, USGS topo, snow cover, wildfires, cell coverage, bedrock geology, slope angle, and lots more.