24 thoughtful and useful gifts for runners — according to an avid runner – Business Insider
By Staff 5 years ago24 thoughtful and useful gifts for runners — according to an avid runner Business Insider
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
Dec. 6, 2018, 4:42 PM
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you’ll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
The best gifts we ever give are typically the ones that cater to someone else’s passion. These gifts show that we a) listen to them, and b) cared enough to do a little research into what could make their lives and hobby even better.
If you’re shopping for a runner, you can feel confident in the gifts curated below. At one point, I averaged about 40 miles per week, and these are the thoughtful, useful, and life-hack-like gifts that I can say from experience will go the distance.
Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of Insider Picks’ holiday gift guides for 2018 here.
Marathon Map, available on Etsy, from $26.37
Gift a custom-made print of their latest — or most important — running achievement. The print will display their name, the race date and finish time (and can be customized with other fields on request), and depict the route taken. You can choose size and color, too.
For less of a minimalist style, check out this option.
Bombas Women’s Performance Running Ankle Sock, 3-Pack, available at Bombas, $48
Bombas Men’s Performance Running Ankle Sock, 3-Pack, available at Bombas, $48
Bombas makes the best socks you can buy — three years of meticulous redesign will do that for you. Their Performance Running Socks were built specifically for running. There’s strategic zone cushioning, airflow ventilation, elongated uppers to prevent chafing, and they’re made from breathable, moisture-wicking fabric. Plus, Bombas donates an equally well-engineered pair of socks to someone in need for every one you buy. The company has donated more than 11 million pairs to shelters so far.
Etched Marathon Pint Glass, available at Uncommon Goods, $18
These pint glasses are a not strictly trail-related gift that still follows from the tradition of a post-marathon pint. These are etched with famous marathon routes (New York, Chicago, and Boston).
A cookbook of the tasty, healthy recipes Shalane Flanagan ate while training for her 2017 TCS New York City Marathon win.
Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow.: Quick-Fix Recipes for Hangry Athletes, available on Amazon, $16.50
This cookbook was a New York Times bestseller, and it’s full of the recipes Shalane Flanagan ate while training for her historic 2017 TCS New York City Marathon win. That includes lots of pre-run snacks, recovery breakfasts, and 30-minute-dinners that are healthy but also taste indulgent.
Popular compression leggings that have muscle-containment-stamping to increase blood circulation in the right places.
2XU Women’s Elite MCS Compression tights, available at Amazon, from $71.26
2XU Men’s Elite MCS Compression tights, available at Amazon, from $94.70
2XU is another company well-renowned in the athletic community, specifically for their leggings. The MCS Compression Tights have Muscle-Containment-Stamping (MCS) that applies targeted compression to places prone to fatigue like the quads and calves. They’re also made from Power-Weight-Flex (PWF) material, which is a signature fabric that has a rare combination of weightlessness, impactful compression, and maximum flexibility. They’re moisture-wicking, antibacterial like most good running gear, and have UPF 50+ Sun Protection. They also claim to be the only graduated compression technology proved to improve performance and speed up recovery.
In person, 2XU leggings feel effective— minimizing recovery time and feeling like a second-skin during long, hot runs. It’s worth noting that there have been concerns in the past of 2XU leggings being see-through when stretched (though I personally did not experience any in testing), and the company responded with more paneling in their designs.
Sleepwear Tom Brady and Under Armour made together to help athletes recover faster thanks to Far Infrared.
UA Men’s Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Joggers, available at Under Armor, $59.99 UA Men’s Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Henley, available at Under Armour, $59.99
UA Women’s Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Pants, available at Under Armor, $59.99 UA Women’s Athlete Recovery Sleepwear Long Sleeve, available at Under Armour, $59.99
Tom Brady and Under Armour make sleepwear and sheets that uses Far Infrared technology to help athletes’ muscles recover faster as they sleep. The bioceramic print on the inside of the pants and shirts absorbs the body’s natural heat and reflects Far Infrared energy back into the skin. The shirts and pants are also super soft. This means runners sleep better, feel less sore, and have faster recovery times so they can spend more time running and less time achy, walking up stairs with stiff legs. You can find a full review of both the pajamas and the sheets here.
Sport2People Running Pouch Belt, available at Amazon, $16.97
If they’re heading out for a long run, they may want a running belt. This has space for their phone (iPhone X, 6, 7, or 8), keys, external batteries, power bars, headphones, car keys, cards and more depending on their needs, all thanks to two large expandable pockets. It has a headphone hole, and the waterproof material and special zippers will keep gear dry in inclement weather.
TrailHeads Women’s Ponytail Headband, available at Amazon, $18
It may seem gimmicky, but it is obnoxious to choose between cold ears, a low ponytail that overheats your neck, or a high pony that will drag down during the run and take the headband with it. This is meant as a solution, and it makes for a thoughtful gift.
Physix Gear Compression Socks, available at Amazon, from $9.95
If they’re looking for compression gear (maybe they’re pretty intense about performance, or are closely monitoring their stamina and speed), this pair has garnered over 8,500 five-star reviews. They’re designed to increase stamina and performance by facilitating blood circulation, decreasing swelling, and comforting tired muscles.
Nike Women’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo, available at Nike, $180
Nike Women’s Zoom Pegasus Turbo, available at Nike, $180
Buying running shoes for someone can be a bit personal, and you may wind up with a gift card instead. However, the Nike Zoom Pegasus sneakers are great shoes that will please the majority of people (for menand women). For the extra cushioning many marathoners prefer, check out the established Hoka One One shoes at Zappos.
Fitbit Charge 3, available at Amazon and Best Buy, from $149
The new version of Fitbit’s most popular Charge series is the Charge 3, and it will do all the fitness and sleep tracking it’s used for. Wearers get access to 24/7 heart rate monitoring and goal-based exercises as well as real-time heart rate zones and calorie burn. The large face is great for getting smartphone notifications, and the device itself is swim-proof in case they’re prone to interspersing some laps or are training for a triathlon. The battery lasts up to 7 days.
An inexpensive alternative to the Fitbit or Apple Watch that’s under $100 — and has a longer battery life.
Amazfit Bip Smartwatch, available at Amazon, $79.99
This up-and-coming smartwatch from Chinese wearables company Huami is garnering a cult following on the internet. It has many of the same features as the Fitbit and Apple watch, but has a longer battery life — plus it’s under $100. Find a full review of the Amazfit Bip here if you’re thinking of it as an alternate purchase to the Fitbit or Apple Watch.
Daily Harvest Gift Box, 9-Pack, available at Daily Harvest, $75
They probably want to take care of their body, and that means eating healthy foods. But the time required to research, grocery shop, and cook said meals may be more than they have time or energy for, especially if they’re working in a run before or after work. Daily Harvest makes delicious meals that come pre-portioned in cups that can serve as bowls on the go — each made by a nutritionist and chef, and which takes less than a minute of prep (usually just heating or adding water). They’re delicious, good for you, and about as easy as it gets, which is maybe why one prominent investor of the startup is Serena Williams. Find a full review here.
NextRoller 3-Speed Vibrating Foam Roller, available at Amazon, $99.95
NextRoller is used in the NBA, NFL, and MLB to help athletes recover quickly and efficiently. The three speeds (low, medium, high) apply pressure to sore muscles and joints to loosen and relax them while facilitating blood and lymphatic circulation.
Shhhowercap, available at Sephora, $43
Aquis Hair Towel, available at Sephora and Amazon, from $21
Arvazallia Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner, $12.30
When you’re running often, you’re taking a lot of showers — and the frequent washes to get the sweat out of long hair can be especially drying. It was the most unexpected inconvenience of training.
Grab a popular shower cap in a fun print for the jogs that really only require a body wash, a cult-favorite microfiber towel that (actually) cuts drying time by 50% and prevents damage, or a great hair mask to pump moisture back into their strands during a fun self-care routine. You can find reviews of the shower cap here and the fast-drying towel here.
Rocktape Kinesiology Tape, available at Amazon, $34.47
This hypoallergenic tape is used to treat sports injuries like shin splints, Plantar Fasciitis, and Runner’s Knee among others. It also has over 2,500 five-star reviews on Amazon. It’s not the most exciting standalone gift, but it’s useful — and a good add-on if you’re looking for two smaller gifts.
Night Runner Headlights, available at UncommonGoods, $60
Grab these clip-ons for their sneakers so they’ll be able to safely see during night runs, and so cars and passersby can see them, too.
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