Gifts for Runners
Running seems so simple. All we really need are shoes and off we go! But for most of us, we love all gear and recovery to KEEP us going. Alleviating all excuses keeps us on track to be consistent. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just because you will find great gifts for runners in your life here on this list!
(A few, but not all, of these links are affiliate links. It costs you no extra to use the link below AND you are supporting A to Z Running, thanks!)
Recovery Gifts
If you listen to the A to Z Running Podcast, you KNOW how much we love our recovery products! Recovery gifts are a great way to help support the serious runner in your life by helping them to stay injury free and feeling good!
♦ Compression Socks
The most affordable and QUALITY compression sock on the market is SB SOX. Now we’ve had the opportunity to wear them for several months and they are not wearing out or losing their compressive quality!
♦ Recovery Slippers & Shoes
These PR SOLES recovery slippers and sandals are a great way to increase circulation in tired hard working feet. Although the acupoint footbed was specifically designed with the athlete in mind, anyone who spends much time on their feet would appreciate this gift.
We spoke about PR SOLES on this episode of the A to Z Running Podcast.
♦ High-end Recovery System
Now if you are looking for a big gift with a big impact, check out the Hyperice NormaTec recovery system! As someone who has been using them now regularly, I can tell you that they make a significant difference in recovery. According to the Hyperice website, 97% of pro teams trust the NormaTec system. The leg recovery system helps increase circulation which reduces pain and soreness.
We spoke about Hyperice on this episode of the A to Z Running Podcast.
♦ Percussion Massage Therapy
Hypervice also creates a product called the Hypervolt. It uses percussion therapy to drive at specific problem areas. It feels a lot like a massage driving out knots and breaking up fascia.
The intro of this A to Z Running episode features more on the Hypervolt.
♦ ProTec Orb
Looking to get to hard to roll places? Also want to bring your roll tool with you? I love the ProTec Orb Extreme Mini. I travel for work and this mini orb saved my rear (literally) while training for the Olympic Trials on the road. I personally think this one with the nobs breaks up my fascia best. There is also a new one out that vibrates! I have one on the way, and I will let you know on the A to Z Running Podcast what I think of it.
♦ Scraping Tools
Until this year, I did not know how valuable that scraping can be to help mobilize and release
damaged and tangled tissue. The industry leader in scraping tools is Sidekick Tool. You can get 15% automatically applied to your cart from this link: sidekicktool.com/atozrunning
We spoke about SideKick Tool on this episode of the A to Z Running Podcast.
Gear Gifts
It can be tricky buying gear for another person. Usually runners are pretty particular about their wardrobe on the run- with good reason! Chafing, poor fit, & cheap material will make the runner in your life end up tossing the item aside because it doesn’t work for them. What are some things runners will always use and appreciate?
♦ Gloves
I have yet to meet a runner who said they had too many pairs of gloves (if you do, please comment below, I would love to “meet” you). There are three kinds essentially. There are the lightweight “tempo” type of glove, convertible gloves, and hard-core mittens. Unfortunately the gloves both Zach and I wear are out of stock so the hyperlinks are to similar products! The pair of gloves I wear most often is the convertible gloves.
♦ Sunglasses
I know what you’re thinking, how can I choose sunglasses for another person? These Knockaround glasses seem to be flattering most faces and fit the budget (about $20). Make sure you go with the sport nose to help with the slip for the runners in your life!
We spoke about Knockaround sunglasses on a few episodes of the A to Z Running Podcast. Check this one out!
♦ Socks
I know there is a joke about getting socks and underwear for gifts, but truly the runner in your life will be happy to get a really nice pair of socks.
Racing socks, I wear DeFeet, Balaga, or Features
Training socks, I wear the above brands but add in DarnTough socks
Compression socks, As mentioned above, our favorite compression for the price point are SB Sox.
♦ Neck Gaiters
Neck gaiters are a one size fits all kind of gift. More than ever, runners are using neck gaiters as part of their running ensemble. A great cold weather gaiter option is Cozy Noze! This idea came from a photographer who needed to keep her glasses from steaming up during winter photography while staying warm. There is a bendable nose so the neck warmer stays up while moving around.
Of course there are many options of lightweight gaiters. We have a few A to Z Running neck gaiters, so if you want to buy one we are pretty limited but feel free to reach out. Other neck gaiters we wear are Buff gaiters.
At-Home Gym Gifts
The most efficient way to workout is often at home. Having the tools we need within our reach eliminates excuses and motivates us to keep consistent.
♦ Mobo Board
The feet, ankles, and stabilizers do a lot of work for the runner both in performance and also take a lot of pounding. By ensuring they can take the mileage we are asking of them, we should be strengthening. Jay Dicharry’s Mobo Board is perhaps the best way to stabilize your feet and ankles (and you get 10% off with ATOZRUNNING10 at checkout).
♦ Resistance bands
Resistance bands are used daily in the Ripley household. Small size resistance bands are great for hip and glute strength exercises.
♦ Medicine ball
The medicine ball is a go-to for many people’s core routine.
♦ Kettlebell
We do squats and single leg exercise with the kettlebell. It is an easy and convenient gym accessory for a variety of exercises.
♦ Treadmill
This would be a very big gift, but there could always be discussion within a family if a treadmill could be a collective gift. We use a NordicTrack treadmill at home. The two things that I really appreciate about this treadmill is that it works smoothly at high speeds and has both incline and decline.
Related: Treadmill fartlek workout, and our episode “Treadmill or Dreadmill?” on the A to Z Running Podcast
Training Resources
Help the athlete in your life get better at getting better! Continuous improvement is most effectively achieved by further development as a runner. Coaching and fine-tuning routines by using training resources will help you or the runner in your life to thrive. This could be the best gift to give yourself or another runner to level up their training experience.
♦ Coaching
I think most people need an extra push to get a coach. Is the runner in your life serious about success? Do they want to hit that next milestone like a first marathon, a major PR, a Boston Qualifier, sub-3 hour marathon, or Olympic Trial standard? We offer individualized coaching and training plans from Andi and Zach at A to Z Running. Wherever you or your loved one is at, we want to help take you further and faster than before, all while thriving in your life.
Books
♦ Wharton Stretch Book
We use stretches from Wharton Stretch Book daily. We talk about mobilization and the best way to achieve mobility and flexibility with the author of this book in our episode, “What is the Best Way to Mobilize with Phil Wharton.”
♦ Runner’s Fix: DIY Guide to Running Pain-Free
What if you could nip injury in the bud before you had to stop running? This book is a must-have in every runner’s library. It’s written by runner and PT, Mike Swinger. We also had Mike on the Podcast discussing some really valuable ways to activate and stay injury free, “Why You Should Run Like a Zombie with Mike Swinger.”
♦ Running Rewired
You know the basketball trick I’ve mentioned a few times? I got it from Running Rewired! This book has a wealth of exercises and tips to help you level up in your training safely and effectively!
You want to know something that is entirely FREE? Our weekly A to Z Running Podcast! Every week we discuss practical topics to help runners thrive! Subscribe for free and share with a friend!
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You made a good point when you shared that it is great to give a pair of nice socks to your loved one who loves to run. My friend just mentioned the other day that she wants to support her husband who is eager to start running again so he can lose weight. I will suggest to her getting a nice pair of athletic socks for him.