If your dad, partner, or the father figure in your life is anything like the meme, he probably has an endless supply of those white New Balance sneakers. You know the ones. And no, he probably doesn’t need another pair.
While you can always play it safe by giving him another necktie to add to the collection of ones he already doesn’t wear, or take the easy route by getting him a gift card for his Father’s Day gift, there are far more inspired choices to be had, especially if he loves nothing more than to hit the road (or track, or treadmill) for an endorphin-boosting run.
This Father’s Day, support his running habit with a great gift that’s thoughtful, practical, and will get plenty of use year after year. From clothing to tech to reading materials that will keep him motivated, we’ve rounded up the best Father’s Day gifts out there that are sure to make his day a whole lot brighter.
Even if your dad or partner isn't exactly ready to claim victory at Boylston Street any time soon, a good pair of running sneakers will rarely go unappreciated.
The New Balance 880 is a workhorse training shoe that won’t break the bank, coming in at just $135 at the time of this writing. The testers at Runner’s World rave about the shoe’s recent update, which features a softer cushion that still offers bounce.
Help Dad fly this Father’s Day with a pair of these shoes from Saucony's racing line. The Endorphin Pro is one of the newer models that feature a carbon fiber plate for max speed. The shoe is lightweight and breathable, and its stylish design is sure to make him stand out from the pack.
If your dad or partner prefers the woods to the roads, he will love these trail runners by Altra. They have a medium amount of cushion, protecting his feet without being bulky, and the foot-shaped design provides extra room in the toe box for wider feet.
These slippers are perfect for shuffling around the house in every season, and are great for post-run recovery. They are made from super cozy shearling, and have a standard Ugg sole, which means he can also wear them out of the house. They also come in tons of color options, from classic neutrals to bold colors.
Bombas makes some of the most popular performance running socks on the market, and it's not hard to see why they're so beloved. The brand also recently released a compression sock to help with circulation and recovery.
Unlike other compression socks, which tend to lack softness, Bombas has designed its recovery socks to be both functional and comfy. This Father’s Day, make it easy for Dad to kick up his feet with a pair.
Nathan, a brand beloved for its running accessories, recently launched a running apparel line. Our editors love the Rise Short Sleeve, a gridded knit polyester-tencel blend that’s soft and with well-placed seams to avoid chafing. It's perfect for the dad who loves to start his day by clocking a few miles, but it's also stylish enough to wear for a casual weekend brunch or family outing.
Keep Dad comfortable, dry, and warm (but not too warm) with the Teca Calido jacket from B-Corp company Cotopaxi. While it's perfect for chilly morning or evening jogs, the featherlight insulated jacket even packs into its own chest pocket for easy storage as he heats up on his run.
This simple long sleeve shirt is perfect for lounging on the couch or keeping warm on a chilly morning run. It's designed to feel like a beloved, broken-in T-shirt and is made from super soft, quality cotton that he won't want to take off.
Designed for the trail (but plenty comfortable on the road, too), this Janji short with a 7-inch inseam provides lightweight coverage and ample pocket storage along its waistband. It also has a compressive, moisture-wicking liner which helps reduce bounce and odors.
For more great additions to his running gear arsenal, check out our coverage of the best running shorts for men!
These hats are one of the most affordable products on the Tracksmith site, and a great way for Dad to get a taste of luxury running gear without breaking the bank. They are made from thick, high-quality cotton, and have a super flattering and comfortable fit. Great for everything from running to everyday wear, he won't want to take it off.
This backpack is great for commuting to the office, light day hikes, or use as a weekender on races far from home. It is surprisingly roomy, and can fit a 15-inch laptop. It also is water-resistant, keeping Dad's gear dry, no matter what Mother Nature has in store.
If your dad or dude loves to run at night, you can make those post-dusk jogs a whole lot safer by gifting him this illuminated running chest strap. It comes with a 5-year full money-back guarantee and can be charged via a USB—all he has to do is charge it up, turn it on, and go.
Jogging arm bands are great, but what if he needs to keep more than just his phone within reach when he runs? This clever hydration belt has room for the two included BPA-free bottles, has a waterproof pocket for his preferred device, and can fit waists ranging from 27 to 37 inches.
Let Dad run to the music he loves by giving him this Garmin Forerunner 245 as a Father's Day gift. The GPS giant caught up to the Apple Watch, giving wearers music storage they can access right from their wrist. He can also tap into the watch’s personal coach and running dynamics features for a better training session.
Gift Dad peace and quiet with the power of noise-canceling headphones. OK, he’ll probably use these to listen to music, but they'll also drown out any background din. These AirPods are also more wallet-friendly than ever, thanks to the 30 percent discount you can get on them if you act fast.
Regular running may provide a serious endorphin boost, but it can also trigger some serious muscle soreness. If your dad is in need of some serious post-run R&R, this highly rated Theragun Mini is the perfect solution. Delivering mini-strikes that help break up tension and soreness, this petite model is the perfect size for tossing in a gym bag or stashing in a nightstand drawer for serious healing.
If your dad, partner, or parent pal doesn't already have a foam roller, he will quickly appreciate adding one into his routine. This one is great for beginners as it isn't too hard, but can still work out deep tension in sore muscles. It's also on the longer side, making it great for core exercises and rolling the back.
For more great tools to add to his recovery arsenal, check out our picks for the best foam rollers on the market!
What's the worst feeling when you head out for a morning run? Discovering that your shoes are still damp from that puddle you jogged through the night before. Luckily, with this forced-air boot and garment dryer, the dad on your list will never have to deal with a damp pair of sneakers or sweaty gear again.
A favorite with caregivers and kids alike, the Thule Urban Glide 2 will make running fun for the whole family. Sleek and lightweight (for an all-terrain stroller, anyway), all Dad has to do is load up the kiddo, some snacks, and a water bottle, and some healthy bonding time will be well underway.
For more great ways to bring little ones along for the ride, check out our coverage of the best jogging strollers!
Shopping for someone who could use a post-run pick-me-up? This 24-pack of hydration gels comes in a range of decadent fruit and dessert flavors, including strawberry banana, tri-berry, jet blackberry, salted caramel, chocolate outrage, and vanilla bean.
The pouches are small enough to tuck into a pocket or belt bag while on a run, and reviewers love them, with more than 9,100 customers giving them an average rating of 4.8 stars, calling the gel inside “lifesaving goo.”
Make it easy for Dad to stay hydrated with the new 20-ounce bottle from CamelBak. It’s made with 50 percent recycled material so it’s better for the environment, and its drink-through straw is spill-proof when open and leakproof when closed. (It even comes in a kids’ version, so Dad and his mini-me can be matchy-matchy.)
Help kickstart this run with this Breville espresso maker. This midrange option makes delicious, barista-level espresso but won't take up your entire kitchen counter. It also has a grinder and a steamer attachment for everything he needs to make his favorite coffee drinks.
If there's nothing he loves more than indulging in a good beer after clocking a few miles on the treadmill or track, give him the opportunity to make—and brag—about his own signature brew with this clever kit.
This set has everything he needs to make a delicious golden ale. It makes 2 gallons of beer when completed, and takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete.
These sneaker deodorizers are really a gift for you and your hubby. And while they'll certainly benefit you, he'll surely be happy to have stink-free running shoes, too, especially as the weather warms up, and those jogs get a whole lot sweatier.
When he's logging sunny miles, it’s important that his face is protected. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial cream is a gentle, lightweight daily moisturizer, complete with SPF 30. It's perfect for any guy who cares about his complexion, whether he wants his skin to look and feel smoother or just wants to save himself from a painful sunburn.
Sometimes the best gifts benefit the whole family—like this Native deodorant. Native deodorants are incredibly effective, vegan, and made with safe, natural ingredients while forgoing aluminum in their formula. Try the brand's variety of scents, including citrus and herbal musk (who doesn’t love a good musk?), eucalyptus and mint, or unscented. Native also offers a plastic-free line.
If he could use some serious post-run relaxation, he's sure to love this wood-scented candle. It's made from soy wax, fragranced with essential oils, and has a 48-hour burn time, so it will last him for many nights of self-care.
For a Dose of Inspiration
‘Devoted: The Story of a Father’s Love for His Son’ by Dick Hoyt, with Don Yaeger
This touching memoir by Dick Hoyt, who pushed his wheelchair-using son, Rick, in 32 Boston Marathons, tells the story of how the pair changed road-racing. The elder Hoyt passed away in 2021 at the age of 80, but the 2013 Jimmy V ESPY Award-winning duo's legacy of love and sportsmanship will live on forever.
Help him keep track of his training with this journal. It not only has spots for him to keep his running information, but also a mood, energy level, and weather tracker to help get a more well-rounded understanding of his performance.
Help Dad up his running game with access to all things Runner’s World, including the magazine, digital articles, training plans, the RW+ community, and our coaches.
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.
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.
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