The Best Gifts for Runners
Tags: Runners, Christmas, Holidays, Gift Ideas, Gifts

The guide to giving the best present for any runner

THE HOLIDAYS

For such a simple sport, there is no shortage of “equipment” runners can get excited about. And we know that finding a running gift can be challenging if you don’t run yourself. Or maybe you do, but are stuck trying to come up with new gift ideas for a runner who basically has everything. Whether you’re shopping for a newbie who loves to log a few feel-good miles per week or the hard-core devotee who takes on trails and swears by a 10-step recovery routine, we’ve got you.

We’ve compiled a running list of some of our favourite products that we’ve personally tested or come highly recommended from trustworthy fellow enthusiasts. Add these gifts to your cart, and you might just receive the highest honor the runner in your life can offer: an invitation to log some mileage alongside them.

APPLE AIRPODS PRO

The Apple AirPods Pros change the running game. No matter how sweaty you get, your jams will keep pumping while you stay aware of the environment around you. The sound quality is great. They block out the outside noise and let runners focus on their run. Charging is pretty quick and the newer cases also charge wirelessly just by putting them on a charging mat. The case charges them whilst it’s plugged in and when it’s not, giving up to 24 hours of listening time per case charge! They top up charge every time you put them back in the case.

The AirPods Pro are also very easy to wear, even outside in wind gusts. In addition to high-quality “immersive” sound and a lightweight in-ear design, the earbuds come with two audio modes: Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. The latter allows you to both listen to music and hear noises in your surrounding environment, for runner safety (particularly when running in traffic-heavy urban environments). They also feature a new earbud design for a more comfortable fit. The earbuds come with three different sizes of silicone ear tips, with enhanced seals-great for sweaty runs or when running in the rain. These AirPod Pros are a must for any runner who doesn’t have wireless headphones.

GARMIN FORERUNNER 745

Runners spend a lot of time dreaming about smartwatches and this one’s the cream of the crop. Music syncs directly onto this wearable so your friend can run phone-free in 2021. Design points aside, the most unique features are the Sp02 and stress monitoring, which use a combination of red and infrared lights to determine the percentage of oxygenated blood (Sp02%) available in your blood. The suggested recovery time after each workout now gives additional data, accounting for weekly training intensity, the quality of your sleep the night before and your stress.

It advises you when you need to rest before your next big session — an impressive feature that beginners and more experienced runners will find useful. Another beneficial feature on the Forerunner 745 is the ‘daily workouts’, based on your V02 max and training load data. A good option for less experienced athletes, according to Garmin, this feature provides ‘training guidance that takes you and your fitness level into account’. For female runners, the watch has the option to track menstrual cycles and offers hints on how to adjust your training to ‘maximize improvement potential and plan for upcoming races based on where you are in your cycle’. Overall, the Garmin Forerunner 745 is the perfect gift for any runner that doesn’t have a watch yet!

COTOPAXI BATAAN FANNY PACK

This one-of-a-kind pack will hold all of your essentials (and lots of snacks!) for your trail-running enthusiasts! The Cotopaxi Bataan fanny pack is part of the company’s (Re)Purpose Collection, which uses fabric left over from other companies’ items, making it a good-for-the-environment gift, too. This pack can fit phones, keys, and wallets for smaller outings and not be too chunky, but also something that can hold tons of snacks for a day of backpacking. It also has a couple of mesh pockets to separate items.

The Bataan uses fabric made from other companies’ larger production runs as part of the company’s (re)purpose mission to reduce their footprint and is sewn by people who have creative control over its final look. That means that no two packs are alike! The pack is super comfortable wearing over the shoulder or around the waist, and the colour is an awesome plus! This top of the line fanny pack will give any runner a massive smile during the holidays!

HOKA ONE ONE SPEEDGOAT 4

Hit the trails (or the snowy roads) with this powerful shoe, designed for rocky and slippery terrain. Plus, the cushioning is like pillows for your feet- as is the Hoka One One way- making for a comfortable ride no matter the weather. Considered one of the best maximum cushioning trail running shoes in large part because of its superior traction, increased stability, and comfortable fit. The Vibram Megagrip outsole combined with 5mm lugs is very grippy, and with a slightly widened toe box, and an EE wide version, the fit is more accommodating to a wider range of foot shapes.

For ultra-distance runners, or anyone looking to reduce the repetitive strain on tired or achy joints, maximally cushioned shoes are a solid choice, and the Speedgoat 4 is the one we recommend first. From soft dirt to wet rocks to rooty trails, the 4s handle everything with ease and protect the runners’ feet. Even at 50-plus miles, the Speedgoats show zero wear and tear-just some dirt that is along for the ride. Additionally, the mid-foot’s overlays create additional structure and support. That all adds up to a durable shoe that you can count on for hundreds of glorious miles on the trails. The perfect holiday gift for any trail runner.

HYPERICE VYPER 2.0

And we couldn’t forget about recovery. This one is a no-brainer for us: it’s an indispensable part of my running arsenal. The vibration can go to crazy-strong levels, and it honestly feels like someone gets inside your tired muscles and washes them clean after. It may look like a basic foam roller, but it’s one of the greatest bits of running tech I’ve ever used. You can just use it as a roller, but that avoids one of the best bits of it; the fact that this thing vibrates, delivering a deeper, more complete post-run recovery.

There are three levels of vibration, with the first a relatively modest rumble. This setting is good for beginners because the feeling of using a vibrating roller for the first time is weird enough, so simpler is definitely better. The second level is like a deep tickle, with the muscles getting jiggled around in a targeted way, and you can definitely feel the depth of the vibration going deeper. Finally, the third level delivers a really deep and refreshing release of the muscles, but it also seems to reduce the amount of pain a roller usually brings. Any runner would be ecstatic to receive this under the Christmas tree this year!

THE TIME TO GIVE

Whether they run for fun, are competitive, race 5k’s or endure marathons, whoever you shop for will certainly appreciate receiving a running gift this year. While each runner might vary slightly in their interests, these are 5 staple items that just about every runner would appreciate receiving. Whether you’re planning your Christmas gifts or celebrating a birthday, marathon finish or special occasion, these running gifts are the perfect way to encourage your loved ones’ passion for the sport.

Taking the time to find the best, unique gift for a runner in your life will make their holiday season even more special. Surprising the runner you love with a unique holiday or Christmas gift will show them how much you really care about them — even if you don’t quite understand their obsession. And remember to stay safe during this holiday season and make sure you take the time to appreciate the ones that mean the most to you. Happy Holidays everyone!

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