Trails · Outdoor GPS Logbook App Reviews

Its a good app. I found it easy to use for a variety of activities. Logs a lot of cool data as you would expect an app like this to do. Yesterday when I got to a trailhead I discovered that this app has a subscription model when you reach five saved trails. I didnt have any service so this app loses out. I wish there had been a warning once I got to four saved trails. Not everyone reads the app description and this was an inconvenient surprise in an area where there was no cell coverage.

I paid $3.99 in 2012 for Trails, loved it, and did occasional tracks. Suddenly that version of Trails does not work (for example, not possible to export gpx files any more). Why do I have to pay again, for the new version of Trails? Why did the developer cripple the old version? Unfortunately the app is so good that I have decided to overlook this nonsense and buy a subscription for the new Trails.

I dont understand why people who can afford an iPhone are upset about a $4.99 per year subscription fee. I love to keep track of trails and mileage so I can keep improving and this app does a great job.

Update: The app keeps improving. The developer responds to feedback. Continues to be a very good app for my needs. Recently I started using a Bluetooth heart rate monitor strap and Trails records its data together with all other data. Read on for my lengthy earlier review which is still very applicable: I like apps that seem very simple at the surface but have many features deeper down. This new Trails app is one of those. I’ve been using the previous version for about 3 years and transitioned to this new version a few weeks ago. Yes, at first disappointing because the developer has moved to a re-occurring payment model. $2 for 6 months. It’s worth it for me and hopefully the price will not creep up much over time. The usability of the app is outstanding. I mostly use it for running and some hiking. All I need to do is open the app and push Start. That’s it. After pushing Start it counts down 10 seconds (adjustable), enough time to put the phone into my pocket. While the phone is in my pocket the display automatically turns off using the proximity sensor which significantly extends battery life. While running I can simply pull out the phone and see my time, distance and altitude without pushing anything. You won’t appreciate that until you wear gloves, which you don’t have to take off. When you return to your starting point the app automatically stops the timing (can be configured). Under the surface there are many features some of which are a true improvement compared to the older app. More powerful editing of track points, better graphs/stats, addition of waypoints, routing, tie in into the health app (can be configured), etc. (see app description). Another pleasant surprise is a feature where you connect to the app through your computer’s browser while both devices are on the same network. This presents a sophisticated interface with which you can see all your tracks on a world map or specific tracks on a local map, see the stats, graphs, you can filter your tracks and export them to your computer. I like this direct interface since you don’t have to go through any mail or cloud service (even though Trails provides those paths as well). The new Trails app has been running stable (no crashes so far) and has a functional style (big letters where you need them, big buttons where you need them). It also looks pretty stylish, the app, the browser feature and the developers website all have a common theme. Not that I care too much about that but it gives me the impression that the developer put good effort into this and is in it for the long run. He was also responsive to an e-mail request. Since I have been using the older Trails app and now the new one for so long I don’t really have a good comparison to other apps in this category. But the few that I have seen don’t come close for what I need it for.

Ok, this app follows your track wonderfully, and also has a great feature of automatically ending when you reach your starting point (I cant tell you how many times my run made great time on Runkeeper when I also included my drive home in the car after finishing). But, theres something a little weird about the tracks. I do the same run a couple times a week. If I call this a new track each time, I have to resave it and rename it from scratch each time, which is annoying. When I noticed you could download tracks, I realized the "tracks" are probably set pathways, meaning that you should be able to save or download one, and then run it repeatedly. Only when I try to do this, there appears to be no way to restart as a new "run" on the track in question. You can call it a new segment, but then times and distances just keep adding up, like one long run. It really should be organized with persistent tracks, which can be done repeatedly as individual runs. Maybe Im just missing it...

Great app. Wish this app had more Apple watch functionality. Its basically just used as a remote control. It could rival the Garmin Fenix if the track was displayed on the watch. Downloaded maps disappear the day after they are loaded. I was excited to use it on a hiking trip and disappointed when the map I downloaded was not there when I needed it. Ive contacted support twice. Still no response. Low rating due to support.

Used this today for a bike ride. I had been using GPS Kit for this kind of thing, but those developers seem to have abandoned their app. Hasnt been updated in a very long time. Anyway, I do like the very simple interface of Trails. I like that you can just hit a button or two and go right into tracking. I dont totally understand the countdown before it starts - doesnt seem necessary. The countdown timer sound is also a bit annoying. It plays even if my phone is on silent. I very much like the feature that will stop automatically tracking once you return to your original starting point. Simple feature, but brilliant. It would be good if there was an option in the "Units" setting to change how the time is displayed. The (degree symbol), , " is hard to read at a glance. The option to use h, m, s for the time display would be quite nice.

Excellent track logging with feature rich, yet easy to use, interface. Very battery friendly and lots of customization available to optimize efficiency. Apple Watch implementation is also a winner.

This is a great app for logging hikes, bikes, runs, and more. I was a bit confused about the subscription model of trails pro but talking with support clarified things. You can pay $4.99 for one year, record an unlimited number of trips and after that year all of your logs will remain but you will not be able to record new ones. It would be nice to pay a one time fee for unlimited logging though.

Very accurate and detailed.

So friendly and easy to use, really no learning curve.

I downloaded this app for hikes for our Sedona trip. What a great app!! It works well with the Apple Watch as well. I have used Trails, in addition to my Apple Watch activity app and they are pretty accurate. I love the way it records “our” hike for future use, or to let others see. Highly recommend this app!!

Was considering the purchase of a gps device but this gives me everything I need right on my phone.

I like this app but also use other GPS apps while walking. Trails stops recording without warning when I use another app.

Works pretty good.. Accurate up to 16 ft.. No problems or hiccups what so ever..

I did not care for this app. OK to use but it will not pause the time at rest breaks and it does not work at all after your first five rides unless you pay.

I tried a bunch of much more expensive apps and this one is by far the most user friendly and - while I cant speak to the accuracy of the other apps - Trials is incredibly accurate. Works without any cell connection and allows you to set waypoints so its virtually impossible to get lost. Highly recommended!

Great app - this is exactly what I expected - offline GPS with great statistics

Paid good money for original Trails app only to be abandoned because of developers greed and switch to subscription model. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice... Dont think so. Never again.

I really like this app. The chart can be displayed as either north up or heading up and the vector icon clearly shows where you are heading. Really helpful for orientation. Also, they actually replied to my questions!