20 best gifts for runners

The holidays will soon be here, and if you want to beat the rush, now is the time to start thinking about the best Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list. If you have a running enthusiast in your life, scoring the perfect piece of gear, clothing, or tech is a thoughtful way to support their healthy hobby and will surely make their year.

Peruse this comprehensive list of the 22 best gifts for runners, including picks for shoes, earbuds, trackers, water bottles, tights, belts, and recovery tools spanning a range of budgets and fitness levels that will keep your loved one safe and motivated on the roads or trails.

1. Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 Running Shoes

For a smooth, responsive run

The Women’s Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 is a neutral running shoe with a wider toe box and improved bounce to help you run with more energy and comfort, thanks to responsive foam cushioning. They are one of the best running shoes of 2023, for providing superior ankle stability and durability while still being lightweight and breathable — making them a fantastic gift (as long as you know her shoe size!).

2. Men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V13 Running Shoes

For supreme comfort during daily runs

The men’s New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 V13 is a lightweight trainer perfect for daily easy runs. The shoes are streamlined, breathable, and supportive, thanks to the engineered mesh upper. The latest version of the 1080 comes with updated midsole mapping that applies more foam to wider areas of the midsole. This enhances flexibility at the narrower points, making your runs smoother and more enjoyable with excellent spring back for the heels.

3. Garmin Forerunner 255

Track runs and see your progress over time

Based on our extensive hands-on tests, we are confident that the easy-to-navigate Garmin Forerunner 255 is the best running watch for most runners, making it a practical gift for runners. A unique feature of the watch is its built-in run coaching that suggests a workout, pace, and distance, along with an explanation of why it recommends that particular workout.

4. Jabra Elite 7 Active

Earbuds with all the bells and whistles a runner could need

The Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds are the best running headphones, offering exceptional performance across the board, with great battery life, comfort, durability, and an excellent user experience. Your favorite runner will love that the earbuds come packed with features, including a finder function and multipoint pairing and both noise canceling and transparency mode (which allows you to safely hear environmental sounds). Intuitive and customizable push-button controls are available via the Jabra Sound+ app to adjust the volume, skip songs, and turn on transparency mode during runs.

5. LuxFit Premium High Density Foam Roller

Ease sore muscles and boost post-run recovery

LuxFit’s Premium High Density Foam Roller is a thoughtful gift for a runner that is incredibly simple to use. Pre-run use helps increase joint range of motion, while post-run works exceptionally well to relieve sore muscles and provide myofascial release of tense tissues. It features a “just-right” level of pressure as it's hard enough to be effective without being painful. This roller is firm and durable enough to support any body weight while being lightweight and portable.

6. Nathan ExoShot 2.0

For leak-free, easily accessible hydration

The ExoShot 2.0 bottle is a game-changer for runners who need a comfortable, lightweight hydration solution. With a collapsible design, it’s easy to stash in a pocket or pack, and a nifty hand strap means you can grip the bottle while on the move. A small pocket on the bottle sleeve is the perfect size for storing energy gels or gums, which is ideal for marathon training or long trail runs. Filling the bottle is a breeze, and the cap screws on tightly for leak-free security. Using the bite valve is effortless, so access to quick hydration won’t slow you down.

7. G-Run Hydration Belt

For affordable, hands-free hydration that stays put

Hydration belts provide hands-free running with space for water bottles and more. The G-Run Hydration Belt is a functional, affordable choice with a comfortable design, easy-zip pocket, and included water bottles. Runners will appreciate that this belt stays in place without bouncing and can be easily tightened. Plus, it’s available in three sizes that accommodate runners from 15 to 50 inches, making it one of the more size-inclusive hydration belts available.

8. lululemon Fast and Free Running Belt

For carrying essentials in comfort while you run

If you love lululemon leggings, the Fast and Free running belt is ideal. It’s made from the same material, which means moisture-wicking, smooth, and comfortable wear, even on long runs. Deceivingly spacious, this belt is lightweight and stretchy with reflective details and adjustable buckle straps to reduce bounce.

9. Adidas Superlite Stripe Running Socks

For dry, cushioned and comfortable feet

Supremely breathable, lightweight, and comfortable, the Adidas Superlite Strip Running Socks make a useful gift for a runner that are soft and smooth, which helps prevent chafing. These are one of the best running socks, for how they are moisture-wicking, with ventilation on top to keep your feet dry—an essential feature of any running sock. Cushioning in the heel and toe improves comfort and responsiveness inside your running shoes.

10. lululemon Pace Breaker Lined Running Shorts

Stay dry, supported, and comfortable during hot weather runs

Super lightweight and soft, the Pace Breaker lined running shorts from lululemon provide light compression and security while being stretchy enough to move easily. These shorts are also sweat-wicking and breathable to keep you cool and dry during hot and humid weather. A pocket in the inner lining is a convenient place to store your phone, with two other small pockets on the waist for energy gels or gummies and a zipped one on the back for keys or other small valuables.

11. Hyperice Normatec 3 Legs

For the recovery-obsessed runner

This splurge-worthy gift for runners may look like half a spacesuit, but the Normatec 3 Legs is a high-tech recovery wearable that uses air compression to massage muscles, increase circulation, and reduce swelling. Simply slip these on after a long run and choose a recovery program using the app or the device interface. The Normatec 3 Legs is versatile, providing massage programs for post-run recovery, pre-run warm-ups, leg activation, freshening your legs, or unwinding at the end of a long day.

12. Oofos Oomg Eezee Low Shoe

For joint and muscle relief after a hard training day

Oofos specializes in recovery, and the Oomg Eezee slip-on is an excellent choice for anyone needing extra support after a hard training session. The brand's proprietary foam technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear, reducing stress on your knees, ankles, and joints. The stretchy fabric ensures a comfortable fit for many foot shapes, including those with bunions or who need a wider toe box, while still being supportive.

13. GU Energy Sports Nutrition Energy Gels

For tasty flavor variety that keeps you energized

Help them get a head start with an energy gel, which provide a helpful boost during long and grueling runs, with ingredients such as fast-absorbing carbs and caffeine. GU Energy Labs Gels stand above the rest for taste and variety of flavors, including strawberry kiwi and campfire s’mores. They contain quick-converting carbs—maltodextrin and fructose—to bump up your glycogen stores and power you through more miles. Added amino acids, electrolytes, and optional caffeine provide additional support to get you to the finish line.

14. BALEAF Rain Jacket Waterproof Windbreaker

Conquer bad weather while staying dry and warm

For the night runner, this men's rain jacket from BALEAF is made with a laminated TPU membrane with a high level of waterproofing and moderate breathability. The jacket features reflective strips, a ventilation system in the back that keeps you cool and dry, four zipper pockets and two inner pockets, elastic sleeve cuffs, and a drawcord adjustable hem with an anti-skid grip to keep it from riding up. What’s more, it’s lightweight and packable, so you can peel off or add layers as needed.

15. Nike Challenger Dri Fit Men’s Running Tights

For support, warmth, and comfort during long runs

The Nike Challenger Dri Fit Men’s Running Tights are not only super comfortable, soft, and warm, but they also boast a sleek design that stays put without sagging. These leggings come with a convenient stay-dry pocket for your phone and an extra drop pocket for keys or cards, making them perfect for long runs.

16. lululemon Fast and Free High Rise 25”

Run fast and free in these luxe leggings

Lululemon's Fast and Free leggings are everything you'd want for running: lightweight, sweat-wicking, breathable, with a snug and compressive fit. They offer superior hold and stay put during even the most strenuous runs. The high-rise waistband with a built-in drawcord and seven pockets, including two roomy side drop-in pockets and five waistband pockets, make them perfect for storing essentials big and small.

17. Brooks Notch Thermal Beanie

For keeping your head and ears toasty and dry during cold weather runs

On chilly, dark days, the Brooks Notch Thermal Beanie provides the warmth and reflectiveness runners need to face less-than-stellar conditions. Although simple in appearance, this hat is more than the sum of its parts: it stays put, adds coverage over the ears and neck, and is exceptional at handling sweat, thanks to the ridged fabric that helps regulate temperature and wick away moisture (plus it has odor-resistant tech). Also available in a headband version.

18. LHKNL Headlamp Flashlight

For lighting your way during early morning or late night runs

The LHKNL headlamp is one of the best headlamps, using LED chips with a maximum brightness of 1200 lumens, so it can easily light up the road ahead using one of 8 different lighting modes. The lamp head is designed to be rotated 60° and tightly fixed to avoid shaking and sliding when running. Plus, it has a rechargeable battery, a comfortable, adjustable elastic headband, and a waterproof design for use in the rain or snow.

19. KT Health Blister Prevention Tape

Prevent and protect feet from common running abrasions

KT Health Blister Prevention Tape virtually eliminates blisters and hot spots with pre-cut strips designed to reduce abrasions during runs. The adhesive is strong and flexible, so the strips stay put while molding to your foot, allowing full regular movement. This tape makes a great stocking stuffer for a runner.

20. Maaree Solidarity High-Impact Sports Bra

Stay supported and jiggle-free with a custom fit

The gift of support is what she needs while running. The Solidarity Bra offers exceptional comfort, high-impact support, full coverage, and a smooth shape for women of all sizes (up to 38H). A curved panel above the breasts and a contoured under band help prevent jiggling in all four directions, which is vital for running comfortably. A combo of compression and encapsulation means you’ll feel snug without being smushed, and for a truly custom fit, both the straps and band are adjustable.