GPS

Why Following an App Can Be a Bad Idea in the Mountains

In the age of smartphones and GPS, it’s tempting to rely solely on apps for navigation while trail running or hiking in the mountains. Apps like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Komoot, and Strava Routes have made it easier than ever to discover new trails and plan routes. However, depending exclusively on these tools can lead to serious problems — and even life-threatening situations — when out in the wild.

Are we too consumed by the numbers, and over analysis of each split and every bit of vert gained? In a running era where it didn’t happen if it’s not on Strava, what are the possible benefits of ditching the GPS watch, aka “running naked?” More and more coaches are encouraging runners to relearn how to run by feel or by intuitive pacing. This strategy accounts for a more natural adaptation to external factors such as heat, humidity, climbs and changing terrain. That is one side of the naked running scenario; the science driven by a desire to perform.