As a longtime fan and frequent user of Strava, I really value the platform and appreciate the continued development. That said, I was surprised by the recent UI changes for subscriber profiles, and I wanted to share my concerns.
Orange Gradient on Subscriber Profiles
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The orange gradient at the top of profiles makes interface elements harder to see—particularly the icons in the top right.
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The dominant orange color inevitably clashes with user-generated photos in the carousel.
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The gradient darkens into a muddy brown at the top, which further disrupts visual harmony.
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A clean, neutral background would better support photo-focused content.
New Shield-Shaped Profile Photos
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The switch from circular to shield-shaped profile pictures for subscribers feels like an unnecessarily bold change.
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Compared to the subtle chevron used before, the shield shape stands out in a way that feels awkward—almost performative (and not in a good way).
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It actually makes me feel self-conscious about being a subscriber.
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Mixed avatar shapes across the activity feed also disrupt the clean, cohesive look that Strava typically does so well.
Subscriber vs. Non-Subscriber Visual Contrast
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The stark visual distinctions between subscriber and non-subscriber profiles are too extreme.
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These choices are detracting from the user experience rather than enhancing it.
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A more subtle, thoughtful design would still highlight subscriber benefits without compromising the visual appeal of the app.
I'm sharing this in the spirit of constructive feedback (because I love Strava!) Thanks for listening and for continuing to improve the user experience. 🧡
