Strava routes are about to go three-dimensional. The popular fitness social network announced this today it has taken over Fatmapa mobile app known for its 3D maps for outdoor sports such as hiking, trail running, skiing and mountain biking.
“Fatmap technology will enable Strava maps for both free members and subscribers,” Strava spokesperson Janette Artea told me. The edge, noting that subscribers will get more features for maps, discoveries, and route planning. It’s likely that this adds value to premium membership, especially since several Strava users were put off by a recent price hike. As for when the Fatmap integration will go live, Artea says the company is aiming for the middle of the year.
Strava did not disclose the terms of the deal, but according to TechCrunch, Fatmap has about 1.6 million registered users and has raised about $30 million in funding. Once the integration is complete, Strava users will be able to see Fatmap’s high-resolution 3D maps without leaving the Strava app. TechCrunch also reports that Strava is working on a single sign-on integration so subscribers can access all of Fatmap’s features with their Strava logins. For now, users can connect their Strava and Fatmap accounts to automatically sync activities — which is usually how Strava’s third-party integrations work.
This isn’t the first time Strava has done this either. Last year, it acquired Recover Athletics, an app that focuses on prehab and injury prevention. Strava users can view Recover Athletics tracks in the app, or use their Strava credentials to log into the Recover Athletics app.
While Strava is most popular among cyclists and runners, the app has recently made an effort to expand its reach by including new types of activities such as racquet sports, Pilates, and HIIT. The acquisition of Fatmap can also be seen as an attempt to expand Strava’s reach to skiers, hikers, and other types of outdoor adventurers.
