Fleet Feet’s Ultimate Gift Guide for Runners

Fleet Feet Austin is our go-to running store for many reasons, the most important is that they know what they are talking about. Check out this year’s gift guide that they help put together. If you are still shopping for the runners on your list this is a one-stop shop. With two locations, Downtown and now in Circle C, shopping local is easy. But don’t worry if you can’t make it in person, you can shop online or give them a call over the phone and their experts will help you find what you need.

Not sure of someone’s size? You can always gift them an entry to 3M Half Marathon!

The following post was originally posted by Fleet Feet.

Most runners are obsessed with gear. The latest running shoes, modern sweat-wicking clothes, and new gadgets are always at the top of the list. But the gear that works for one runner doesn’t always work for another, which makes runners hard to shop for.

To help you this holiday season, we pulled together more than 100 ideas for gifts for runners to help you find the right thing for the right person. Need a stocking stuffer? We have 11 ideas for you. What about something bigger? Try one of these gifts for over $100.

From affordable running lights to feature-packed GPS watches, there’s something for every runner—and every budget. How do we know these will make great gifts for runners? We use them ourselves.

Keep reading to find more than 100 gift ideas for women, men, new runners, trail runners, and lots more.

Looking for the perfect gift for a runner that’s a little more specific?

We narrowed down our favorite products by category so whether your runner likes to crush marathons or enjoys the daily stress-relief, these gifts will make your holiday shopping easy.

• For Women
• For Men
• Stocking Stuffers
• Trail Running
• Marathoners and Long Distance Runners
• New Runners and Beginners
• Triathletes
• At Home Workouts
• Mindfulness, Calm, Recovery
• For Yourself
• Cold Weather Gear
• Gifts Under $100
• Under $50
• Under $25

What About Running Shoes?

Running shoes can be difficult to buy for someone else because the best running shoes for one runner might not work for another. Every runner has their own goals and style preferences, too, which makes the choice even harder. Still want to buy them shoes? Snag a Fleet Feet gift card and 1-on-1 in-store outfitting experience so they can get the right shoes for their feet.

While every runner has their favorite shoes and clothes, there are some pieces of gear that are (almost) universally loved. These ideas are great for short runs and long runs, trails and pavement, hanging at home and making a coffee run.

The Balega Hidden Comfort is one of our best-selling running socks year after year—and for good reason. A plush, dense knit adds another layer of cushioning, while soft, moisture-wicking fibers keep your feet dry and comfortable.

There are more powerful (and more expensive) running watches on the market, but the Garmin Forerunner 55 provides the most important features at an entry-level price. Garmin’s built-in GPS tracking gives you accurate distance, pace and time to help every runner train smarter.

Great running sunglasses don’t have to be expensive. Exhibit A: goodr sunglasses. These affordable, lightweight shades come with all the top features, like UVA/UVB protection and polarized lenses. But the temple-hugging fit and no-slip coating ensure they won’t bounce or slide as you run.

When you need some extra cushioning, the Superfeet Dynamic Run insoles are the perfect choice. Designed to be softer and more flexible than other Superfeet insoles, the Dynamic Run provides light structure and additional impact protection compared to the stock insoles that come in your shoes.

Every woman needs a great run bra to support their breast tissue while running. Brooks developed the Dare Crossback Bra for runners so it is easy to pull on and wicks away moisture, while also providing comfort and support.

These women’s specific sandals are perfect for putting on after a run or wearing around the house all day. These sandals have OOFOS’ patented OOFoam that absorbs 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear to reduce stress on knees and ankles. With many colors and patterns to choose from, you can find comfortable and stylish sandals for the women in your life.

A must-have for the fall and winter months, he can wear the On Weather Shirt for morning jogs or hot cocoa in the lodge. It’s stylish and versatile and can be worn as a warming mid-layer on really cold days or as an outer layer for milder runs and adventures. Plus, it has thumbholes, so he can keep his hands warm when it’s not quite cold enough for gloves.

Quite possibly the best all-around men’s running short, Brook’s Sherpa 2-in1 Shorts can handle it all. They are lightweight, ultra-comfortable, have tons of pockets for storage and are available in 5” and 7” inch lengths.

Don’t let the cold or rain prevent a run. This jacket is wind and water-resistant and is made from a reflective material to keep your new runner warm, dry and safe.

With the shorter winter days, most runners training for a marathon will be doing some running in the dark. The 360-degree LED illumination makes it so that drivers can see you coming.

Long-distance running can take a toll on your body. This percussion massager, with five different head attachments and five power modes, can help those sore muscles recover and keep your body in tip top shape.

There are no water fountains or gas stations on the trails. Therefore, most trail runners need to carry their water and equipment with them, and this is a great pack to do just that. With specific models for men and women, the VaporAir and VaporAiress are designed for a secure, no-bounce fit.

Prevent sun and rain from getting into your eyes on the trail with a great running hat. Lightweight and moisture wicking, these hats are great for performance. Plus, they have some great fun patterns to express your personality while climbing up those mountains.

Don’t waste precious time having to tie your shoes when transitioning from the bike to the run. These elastic shoelaces are perfect for triathletes because they stay in place, while allowing them to slip on their shoes and go.

Swimming laps just got a whole lot better with these waterproof headphones. The open-ear design uses bone conduction technology to transfer the sound, making them perfect for running, biking or swimming because you can hear your music as well as your surroundings.

One beanie to rule them all. Odor-resistant and wrinkle-proof, the On Merino Beanie is the only winter hat you’ll need. Minimalist in style and ultra-versatile, this merino wool beanie is ready for a cold run outside or a cold beer at the brewery.

Every runner needs a trusty water bottle by their side. Hydro Flask’s 21oz water bottle is built like a tank and uses double-wall vacuum insulation so you can keep cold drinks cold and hot drinks warm. Use it for water, coffee, tea or even as a foam roller in a pinch.

Hydration is important when you’re training, but it’s just as important for your everyday life. Luckily, nuun crafts different drink mixes for every time of day: Immunity gives you a boost at the beginning of the day; Sport primes you for your workout; and Rest eases you into bed after a long day.

Gift this item with a handmade coupon that says, “free foot massages for life.” Because the Roll Recovery R3 is the gift that keeps on giving. This deep-foot massager can fit in a gym bag, and its unique shape helps target all areas of the foot for pain relief and recovery.

The Swiss army knife of running gloves, Craft’s Hybrid Weather Glove has a brushed wind and waterproof cover that you can pull on or off depending on your temperature. So no more sweaty hands.

Plus, they have reflective details for extra safety and are compatible with touch screens.

Every runner needs a great pair of winter tights to keep them running when the temperatures drop. These Mizuno Breath Thermo tights use your escaping body vapors to produce heat and keep you warm and dry.

Finally, we close with the Nathan Neutron Fire RX is lighter than ever and puts out 200 lumens of RUN-Right Light to lead the way down dark roads, trails and paths. Its 360-degree reflective head strap and red, green, or blue strobe strips let you SEE and BE SEEN in a variety of conditions like fog, snow and rain.

How Fleet Feet Picked the Best Gifts

With more than 45 years of experience, Fleet Feet is the expert in running (and gifting). What makes the perfect gift for a runner comes down to the personal experience, goals, preferences and style of that runner. At Fleet Feet, we have been helping runners pick out the right gear for decades, so we know a thing or two about making picking out the perfect gifts for them.

We use a combination of real-life use, quality of materials, seasonal trends and our own top-seller lists to pick out the best gifts. With all that in mind, we picked gear that lived up to our personal (and professional) expectations. Plus, as people who live and breathe running, we know what we would like to unwrap ourselves.