I’d assume they would need a new category called backpack. I suspect 99.9% of hikers using an Apple watch don’t have a backpack.

> I suspect 99.9% of hikers using an Apple watch don’t have a backpack.

I'm sorry, but what?

This is a wild claim to assert without any data whatsoever.

You think only one in one thousand people on a _hike_ are carrying a backpack?

Get the feeling the software is being developed by people who never stray far from their desks?!

Maybe they do but outside working hours.

Testing is expensive.

I'd guess so too. But not so much from data, rather from my perception of what the "USA media"/"influence people" tend mean when saying hiking, which is something more like a long(er) walk, returning in a/few hours at most within the day. If I or someone from where I live (sweden) said they where headed for a hike, they would not be expected to return same day, but probably be out for a couple days, and carrying a backpack doing so.

USA is a big place, with a lot of wilderness. Sweden is the size of one of our mountain ranges. A lot of people spend a lot of time in that wilderness, but I suspect the issue is one of syntax. The term "backpacking" has taken on more of that spirit of the term "hiking" that you're referring to. You can still say you went on a multi-day hike out around some 14,000ft peak; but if you just say you're going hiking it could mean a lot of things, but if you're backpacking it assumes you're out camping for some of it.

Also some of those "influencers" (noting social media doesn't reflect reality) probably live in areas of the country where they have vast wilderness a very short drive away. A short day hike is worth it if you live in Colorado and can get to the trailhead in way under 2 hours. It's not worth it if you live in Boston and need 8 hours to get to anything _somewhat_ remote.

> I'm sorry, but what?

I think they meant - a backpack carrying 10-20 lbs. Sure, most hikers carry a backpack but all it has is maybe a jacket, water and some protein bars.

If you include “walk in the arboretum” under “hiking” it makes some sense.

Like almost all things Apple Watch, I'm pretty sure they estimate calorie usage by heartrate

I’ll have to do some experiments to see if that’s true.