40 Best Gifts For Runners That They Actually Want Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for a gift to give to your runner? Are you scouring holiday running gift guides but a little worried you’re going to get them something an editor was pitched by a PR person and they don’t actually want? I’ve been in the running world for almost a decade now and I am a firm believer in promote only what runners actually want. This guide is a female focused running guide crowdsourced by members of the Badass Lady Gang running community and myself to help you find the perfect gift to give to your runner. From inexpensive under $10 gifts to those top end Peloton Bikes type gifts, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy this list of 40 gifts your runner actually wants. THE ONLY running gift guide you need. ENJOY!
1- A Badass Lady Gang Team Membership
Give your runner the gift she really wants, a year of unlimited coaching, training experiences, and community! If they’re running a marathon or a half marathon in 2022, have talked about wanting more running buddies or a coach, they will LOVE membership to the team.
2- A Badass Lady Gang Gift Card
Not sure what to get your BALG runner? Give the gift of a gift card! Our gift cards can be used on merch, running plans, training experiences and annual membership.
3- Bombas Merino Wool Socks
Now you can feel good about gifting your runner with warm wool socks that will keep her feet dry. For every pair that you buy, Bombas donates one.
4- Noxgear Tracer Vest
Running in the dark is always spooky. Keep your runner safe with everyone’s favorite light-up vest!
5- Theragun
One of the hottest recovery tools around, the Theragun is a true gift from God. Worth every single penny.
6- Airpants
If you’re looking for a present that will LITERALLY blow your runner’s pants off, get them recovery sleeves. They’re EXPENSIVE but worth every single penny. Worth the hype. Worth the money. I’ve had mine for 4 years and I use them at least twice a week.
Cheap and efficient, no one can survive winter without them.
8- UCan Energy Fuel
Looking for an energy gel that is easy on the stomach and great on the go? UCAN. HIGHLY recommend. UCAN is a superstarch which means it’s a slow digesting carb. A great option for anyone and everyone.
9- Maurten Gels
These energy gels are the holy grail of runners. I call them Bougie Juice because they’re VERY expensive. A perfect Christmas Gift.
10- Uniqlo Down Vest
The secret to surviving winter is a down vest. Is your runner in need of a reliable, cheap down vest? Go with UNIQLO.
11- Sweaty Betty Power Leggings
Quite possibly the best tights on the market, Sweaty Betty power tights aren’t just flattering and comfortable AF, but they last FOREVER. These are the best tights ever.
12-Foot roller
It goes without saying that running is hard on the feet. Give your runner the gift of massage this Christmas.
13- YakTrax Cleats for Running on ice and snow
There is only one way to beat ice and snow…YAKTRAX. If your runner plans to try to run all winter long, THESE WILL MAKE YOU A HERO.
14- Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS Running Watch
Don’t be overwhelmed by the amount of running watches on the market. Go with a forerunner. TRIED AND TRUE.
15- Nike Next% Super Shoes
Looking to make dreams come true this Christmas? Get your runner a pair of super shoes. Super shoes have a carbon plate in them and make you faster. It’s great!
16- Aftershokz Titanium Bone Conduction Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Meet the pair of headphones that keeps your runners safe…Aftershokz! They’re bone-conducting which means you can hear what’s going on.
17- Oofos Recovery Sandals
THESE ARE THE ONLY SANDALS YOUR RUNNER NEEDS. They are SO COMFORTABLE. Get these for your runners. GET THESE FOR YOUR RUNNERS. I have a pair at every house I walk around barefoot in.
18- Lululemon Run for It All Earwarmer
Keeping your ears warm is rule #1 when it comes to cold weather running.
19- Lululemon Down for It All Vest
Puffy vest! See UNIQLO puffy vest above. This one’s just more expensive :)
20- Lululemon Energy Bra
This is a great sports bra. I’m a big fan. If your runner has bigger boobs, bless her with a sports bra that won’t kill her.
21- Sweaty Betty Breeze Running Top
Does your runner hate tight shirts? Here’s a long sleeve she’ll love.
22-Amazon Winter Convertible Gloves Flip Top Mittens with Thermal Warm Polar Fleece for Texting Photographing Running
These are a great pair of mittens. I’m a big fan.
23- Nike Infinity React Shoes
Does your runner need new shoes? The Nike Infinity Reacts are fantastic.
24-Skratch Drink Mix
Every runner needs sports drink and Skratch is top notch.
Want to see a happy runner on Christmas morning. Get them a vibrating foam roller.
26- Foam Roller
And if you don’t want to spring for the vibrating foam roller, a foam roller is easily the most important recovery tool in their arsenal. It’s a must have item.
27-Roll Recovery R8 Massager
R8! The fancy foam roller.
28- Good Ol’ Fashioned Lacrosse Ball
The perfect stocking stuffer. Lacrosse balls are PERFECT recovery tools for your runner’s feet.
29- Hydration Vest
If your runner is in the market for a hydration vest to take with them on their long runs, this one is a crowd favorite.
30- Peloton Bike use code J5WC69
Want to know my biggest regret from 2020? Not just biting the bullet and getting a Peloton. YES, this thing is expensive. But with their financing options (and if you have a Chase Sapphire card, there are huge rewards), it’s actually really reasonable. I use it 3-5 days a week. It’s been a Godsend on days when I work from sunup to sundown and need to blow off steam. I LOVE my Peloton Bike. I LOVE it. LOVE IT. I am embarrassed how much I love it. HIGHLY reccomend. use code J5WC69 and save some cash.
Strength work, guided runs, Yoga, meditation, HIIT classes, boot camps, dance classes, and more- it’s a pretty great app. No Peloton bike or tread needed. CLICK HERE for a 60-Day guest pass from me.
32- Mirror
Another VERY expensive gift but those I know who have one really like it. So I’m including it for all you big spenders.
33- Weights
Remember when weights were as hard to find as Toilet Paper back in 2020? MEMORIES. If your runner is looking to prevent injuries and get stronger, weights are something they probably haven’t thought to buy for themselves. Not a glamorous gift, but a practical one.
34- Whoop
SO much more than a sleep tracker, WHOOP is all about helping you understand where you’re body is so that you can optimize your training. I got one back in early 2021 and I love it. BIG FAN. Every morning you fill out quick check-ins so that your WHOOP can help you adopt habits to sleep better, feel better, and honestly, live better. CLICK HERE for 30-days free.
35- Oura Ring
Similar to WHOOP, the OURA ring is all about tracking.
36- Headlamp
If your runner runs at night, love trail running, or is taking on a relay next year, they need a headlamp.
37- Road id
This is one of the best inventions around. ROAD ID is a little card that you can wear as a bracelet or a small add on to your GPS Watch that lists your contact information and allergies (if any) should anything ever happen to your runner.
38- medal hanger DIsplay
There are so many options when it comes to medal displays. I like the ones that hold your bibs (the numbers we all wear) as well.
For the runner that is looking to display their medal along with a photo, this is an excellent gift.
40-Baleaf fleece lined winter leggings with pockets
I am always skeptical when it comes to cheap leggings but I bought these last winter after a below-freezing run and I was SHOCKED. They’re great. HIGHLY recommend.
