Does this exist? A smart watch that can use Strava but doesn't mean you need your phone with you?

[mummabubs]

First world problem and I honestly didn't know whether to post this in Style or Sports so settled on Chat for traffic! I feel like maybe what I'm looking for doesn't exist but ...

I'm relatively new to running (currently do between 5-10km) and enjoy being able to track my runs via Strava. The only annoying thing is having to take my phone with me all the time. It's quite heavy/ bulky and some of my running shorts don't have a phone pocket on them, I tried wearing an arm band holder but it really annoyed me as I was running.

I'm therefore wondering if there's a smart or sports watch that I could use to record runs with through Strava that doesn't mean I need to take the phone with me? Or does a smart watch always need a phone to 'ping' off nearby? (I'm revealing just how little I know about smart phones).

Personally wouldn't want to spend loads on one. Despite all my family and friends owning a Garmin I'm not sold on them - I don't want to know what my sleep, stress or body battery scores are every day as I already know I'm reasonably stressed and constantly knackered 🤣

I'm also not wild on having a watch that texts and calls can come through (unless you can turn this function off?) but accept this is probably a given with any smart watch. A few of my close friends have Apple watches and there was a phase where I thought I must be really boring them as they kept looking at their watches while I was with them until I realised it was incoming texts they were looking at while I was talking... It's not for me. 😅

If anyone has any advice or thoughts I'd love to hear, even if it's to just keep using my phone. Thank you!

I'm not 100% sure cos it's been a while since I was running, but I'm sure my Samsung smart watch can record without my phone.

I walk a lot now more than run so always have my phone, but when I was running I used a running belt instead of an arm band. It was tucked in tight either to my back or belly and it never annoyed me. Maybe worth a try, I got mine of Amazon for about £8

Yes most of the running watches will sync with Strava once you get back to your phone and you can turn off the notifications or get a more basic one that doesn’t do that.
Just go for an entry level Garmin. you don’t need to use all the features

A whoop. Not a watch just a black (can get other straps) band

edit: it does give you all the other heart rate, sleep etc so maybe not for you…..

My Garmin links with strava without my needing to run with my phone. HAving said that I wouldn't choose to run without a phone for safety reasons. Most leggings have a phone pocket so its not a problem to take it with me.

I have a very basic garmin. My runs dont count if they are not on strava! But I almost never take my phone running - like you i dont really want to carry it.
It just syncs with it when I get back 😊

You need something like a garmin with built in GPS that then syncs to your Strava app. To be honest though, after a couple of incidents and accidents I would recommend you still carry your phone.

I have all the connectivity switched off on my Garmin, it makes the battery last even longer. I only use it to record activities. I've been out for a run without my phone. My watch syncs to my phone and Strava once I'm back in home.
I've asked for a Coros for my Christmas.

My kids have Amazfit Bip 6. Really lightweight watch, the watch face is a good size, not enormous on their smaller wrists. They have connectivity switched off too, the battery life is amazing. One had been for a few runs and hikes and recorded them on his watch. They dint use Strava but the watch can connect with the app.

I have an Amazfit watch. It’s quite basic and I looked at a lot of options before buying this.

It synchs with Strava and lasts a week or longer before needing to be recharged (because it doesn’t have email etc).

I think based on your requirements, it would suit you, too. I’d definitely recommend.

Thank you all so much, you've been really helpful! If I run anywhere more remote then I'll always have a phone on me and my husband knows my route before I go, but more often than not I'm daytime running in very popular areas so don't feel as vulnerable overall. Will have a look at entry level Garmins and maybe add to the Christmas list 😁

Any running watch will allow you to record the activity and then you can sync to strava. I used to use a garmin and it was great, I have an Apple watch which I like a lot (mainly for the non-sporty features). The Apple watch is also a good option if you want to be able to make a call (without having a phone with you). You just need your buy the right model to make calls etc.

Thanks again for all the replies, I ended up purchasing a Garmin Venu 2s. I looked into some of the cheaper ones and they didn't have in-built GPS so I'd still have needed my phone with me, which is what I wanted to avoid. It updated itself on day 2 and my messages all started to come through to the watch - biggest stress spike I had all day 🤣 Very grateful to have turned all notifications off again and enjoying how easy it is to use overall.