Editor's Note: Updated June 1, 2022: We updated this piece to remove any products that were out of stock and have added new products from popular brands that have gained some stellar reviews from customers.
For such a simple sport, there is no shortage of “equipment” runners can get excited about. Whether you’re trying to drop not-so-subtle hints about your birthday wishlist or are looking for the perfect gift for the running friend who has it all, we guarantee our you’ll find a thoughtful present that won’t disappoint.
We’ve compiled an, ahem, running list of some of our favorite products that we’ve personally tested or those that come highly recommended from trustworthy fellow enthusiasts. From top tier recovery tools to stocking-stuffer-worthy nutrition to the best shoes on the market, these are the best gifts for runners. We promise, there's something for every type of runner on this list.
Socks are always a great gift for runners. Blister resistant and super comfortable, these Balegas will last your giftee pretty much forever. Plus, they help prevent chafing and rubbing even on long runs.
These sunglasses are a runner favorite. Lightweight and affordable, it isn't a disaster if you break them—but there's also a good chance you won't since they are durable, and goodr will often replace parts for free.
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For the Foodie
Run Fast. Eat Slow.: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes: A Cookbook
Calling all foodies! This cookbook, designed by pro-runner Shalane Flanagan, focuses on the best foods to fuel your performance. With recipes ranging from smoothies to sandwiches to pasta to cookies, it has everything you need to nourish a hard-working body. Plus, the dishes are delicious, and will leave even your non-runner friends coming back for seconds.
Great for triathletes, kids, or people that hate tying their shoes, these lock laces allow you to slip on your running shoes and still have them stay secure and supportive on your feet. They also come in 13 different colors, which gives you a bunch of options if you are trying to match a particular pair of shoes.
A lot of phone holders can be bulky and annoying, but this design by Sprig feels like a second skin. Rubber nubs on the inside of the sleeve ensure that it doesn't slip, and since it is made from stretchy fabric, it can fit any size phone.
Writing down your training can be both therapeutic and help you keep better track of your progress. This journal, designed by pro Lauren Fleshman, helps keep track of weekly training, gives tips on how to improve, and even has exercises to help you asses where you are in terms of your overall fitness progress.
Ditch the sugary sports drinks in favor of these Nuun tablets. They help replenish salt and electrolytes lost after working out, and they are free of artificial flavoring. These come in four great flavors that will leave you feeling hydrated and refreshed.
It's not always easy to find running hats that are comfortable and will actually stay on your head while you move, but this one is a great option. It's lightweight, breathable, and has a super customizable fit for all head sizes.
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For Your Favorite Veggie Lover
‘The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook’ by Heather Mayer Irvine
Regardless of whether you or your friend is a vegetarian or not, this cookbook promises to inspire day after day of delicious meals, thanks to its 150 exciting new recipes. It's not just main courses you'll find in this cookbook, though—it's also loaded with recipes for desserts and side dishes, and buyers rave that the dishes can be prepared with foods readily available in most grocery stores.
Famed Czech runner and five-time Olympic medalist Emil Zátopek is best known for saying, “Men, today we die a little.” This new graphic novel tells the incredible story of Zátopek like you’ve never heard, er, seen it before.
Do you have a run/race that you were super proud of? Does your friend want to show off their PR? This mug allows you to print a custom Strava post showing the map, pace, distance, and time. This is a great option for commemorating a lesser-known race that might not have memorabilia.
The newest collection from Tracksmith’s high-performance (and gorgeous) gear is all about fall distance running. However, this cozy merino blend top will keep you comfortable all year, whether you're heading out for a winter morning run or need something to stay warm in on a chilly summer evening.
NormaTec's Pulse 2.0 is admittedly expensive, but it is also a game changer when it comes to recovery. If you have an amateur athlete in your life, this can help them recover faster, experience less inflammation, and reach their peak performance.
Know an endurance athlete? There's a good chance that they already use GU to help them get through their toughest workouts and longest races—and that makes it a great gift idea, since you know it won't go to waste.
Keep your loved ones safe, no matter where their runs take them. This bracelet contains crucial information if your favorite runner were to become injured. You can choose what you would like to include on the bracelet, including their name, address, allergies, and the phone numbers of their emergency contacts.
This essential tool might just give you the most affordable massage you'll ever get. This foam roller gets deep in your most stubborn knots, but it's easy to control, which makes it ideal for beginners.
These pre-made meals are a far cry from your typical TV dinner. They use real, healthy ingredients like grains, veggies, fruits, and nuts to make delicious, nutritious meals that are super easy to make when you're in a time crunch. Choose between different subscription options or opt for a gift card.
This bra is designed to be super supportive and bounce free. You can customize the fit at the bust, band, and shoulders, which allows for a personalized fit every time. It also utilizes compression to ensure that you are extra secure for high intensity workouts.
Know someone doing the RWRunStreak this year? RW+ members can show off in this exclusive tee. There are two styles, and they come in men's and women's cuts.
For beginners or younger runners, this Garmin has all the basics you need at an affordable price. It tracks distance, pace, and heart rate, and it has a sleeker design than most Garmins, making it a great choice for smaller wrists.
If you don’t drink cow’s milk, you have probably found yourself switching to non-dairy options that are more expensive and have some less than savory—and often inflammatory—ingredients.
The Almond Cow, on the other hand, allows you to make your own nut, seed, and grain milk in a matter of minutes. Not only does it allow you to control exactly what goes into your milk, but it also cuts down on waste.
When searching for a gift for the runner in your life, you can't go wrong with a classic Nalgene. While it isn't insulated, it has the benefit of being lighter and more durable than insulated bottles. This model comes in 11 different colors, and makes a great hiking water bottle.
This mat comes in some great color options, and it is particularly thick—great for yoga, stretching, and core exercises. Plus, it has a strap that makes it super portable.
If you're shopping for a beer lover, they're sure to love the experience of making their own home brew. This one makes a golden ale, and it takes only 30 minutes to brew. The final product is ready within 3-4 weeks, and it makes a total of 2 gallons of beer.
The new and improved Ghost features a bit more cushion, and a higher arch, but it has the same "perfect fit" feel that the shoe is known for. This shoe is great for everything from speed work to long runs, and is truly a workhorse that can find a spot in anyone's shoe rotation.
This vest is designed specifically for women, fitting closer than your average men's hydration vest around the shoulders and waist. It comes with a 1.8-liter bladder, and can fit an additional two bottles in the front. It's made from such lightweight and breathable fabric that it's easy to forget you have it on.
These Next%s are ready for race season. Whether that means 5Ks, marathons, or some hardcore speed work, these Nikes are some of the most popular shoes on every start line. They are carbon-plated, comfortable, and designed to ensure a solid, comfortable run every time.
When it comes to making delicious espresso at home, there's no beating a Breville. This espresso machine can make the perfect morning latte, and the shiny stainless steel exterior makes for great counter candy.
For the outdoorsperson who needs a bit more protection, consider the Instinct, which provides a super ruggedized exterior with everything they need to thrive in the wilderness. It meets military standards for thermal, shock, and water-resistance, and of course can track their runs and other activities, too.
We know that coffee is a staple of many runners' diets, so why not let the person you're buying for try out some fancy new beans? This box has 16 different whole bean coffees from around the world, and each bag makes a little over two cups.
CamelBak, a hydration company runners have come to love and trust, recently introduced this innovative bottle/mug/snack cup. The stainless steel bottle comes with a detachable travel mug, so you can have your cold water and hot coffee, too. Hungry? The cap can store trail mix or other on-the-go essentials.
These comfortable inserts can help prolong the life of your shoes, and give some arch support, too. They come in three different arch heights—low, medium, and high—and are a great insert to start with if you haven't used insoles before.
For your favorite smoothie lover, this blender can handle frozen fruit, ice, etc and even comes with two personal-smoothie-sized blending cups. We also heard it makes an awesome frozen margarita on rest days!
Bath bombs aren't always the best for your skin—and they can be expensive, too. If you want the spa-like feeling with the additional advantage of muscle relaxation, this trio of Dr. Teal's bath salts is a great—and affordable—option.
Hit the trails (or the snowy roads) with this Runner’s World favorite, designed for rocky and slippery terrain. Plus, the cushioning is like pillows for your feet—as is the Hoka way—making for a comfortable ride no matter the weather.
This gorgeously illustrated children’s book will inspire people of all ages with the story of the world’s oldest marathoner who overcame incredible odds.
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For that really special, dedicated runner in your life, check out this top-of-the-line non-motorized treadmill, which more closely mimics outdoor running than traditional 'mills. People may be avoiding gyms this winter, but with an at-home treadmill, training doesn’t have to suffer.
This jogging stroller is perfect for helping new parents get back into their running routine—without hiring a babysitter. It completely folds up for easy transportation, and can be adjusted for use from the newborn stage until little ones hit 50 pounds.
NordicTrack makes some of the best treadmills out there, and this one certainly doesn't disappoint. It is one of their more basic models, but it still has 20 built-in workouts and 10 percent incline controls—as well as a cushioned belt to help protect joints.
These adjustable dumbbells reach a total of 66 pounds, which is a decent amount of weight—especially for beginners. They take up less space than traditional dumbbells, and are more cost effective. Plus, the weights are super easy to change out.
Whether you get out early in the morning or late at night, this 330-lumen headlamp will keep both you—and the road—visible. It is also lightweight, comfortable, and adjustable.
Buying for a beer lover who has completed the NYC Marathon—or hopes to one day? They're sure to love this marathon map pint glass, which features the NYC Marathon map.
These high-waisted leggings offer the perfect amount of stretch needed for staying comfortable on runs of practically any duration. Good compression and a convenient side pocket make for a simplified, hands-free running experience while keeping those essentials close.
These are some of the most popular and affordable hiking boots out there. They are waterproof and can handle some serious terrain—and they're currently under $90, making them a serious steal.
This one-of-a-kind (really!) pack will hold all of your essentials (and lots of snacks!) for your next trail-running adventure. 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.
Quickly compile your favorite runner’s race photos into a gorgeous mini-size photo book for a keepsake that weighs much less than dozens of medals. You can even customize the look of the book for a personalized present they'll treasure for years.
Three season jackets are always a good buy. This one is wind- and water-resistant, and has an adjustable hood to keep your head—and headphones—protected against inclement weather.
Tired of constantly sticking ill-fitting earbuds back in while on the move? With UE Fits, in just 60 seconds, you’ll have custom-fit earphones. The app will guide you through the fit process: connect the earphones to Bluetooth, place them in your ears, and watch as the light technology warms the buds to the shape of your ears.
For more great tech to bring on your runs, check out our picks for the best earbuds for runners.
Gabrielle HondorpBefore joining Runner's World as an Editor in 2019, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe.
Heather Mayer IrvineFreelance WriterHeather is the former food and nutrition editor for Runner’s World, the author of The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a seven-time marathoner with a best of 3:31—but she is most proud of her 19:44 5K and 5:33 mile.
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