14 present ideas for running obsessives



Jumping for joy: present ideas for running obsessives











Running is the ultimate no-frills sport: all you need is to put on some shoes (optional), and go. That said…as with any sport, for those who want it, there is an almost unlimited choice of gear which can be bought to improve performance, comfort, style, or all three. Which is good news for those of us buying presents for running obsessed friends and family. So with that in mind, below we’ve compiled our list of the ultimate Christmas and birthday presents for runners.

Night running gear

Anyone who has trained for a spring marathon or any other race in the colder seasons of the year will almost certainly have had to do some running after dark. One of the biggest challenges of these kinds of runs is making sure you can be seen.

1. Proviz Reflect 360 Running Gilet

If you’ve got a bit of cash to spend, Pro Viz leads the way in high visibility running gear, and makes a great present for an obsessive runner. We actually have this running gilet on our birthday list.

Buy at Amazon

2. Suptig running light

If you’re looking for something at a lower price point, a good running torch is another essential for the runner who likes to go out after dark.

We prefer the chest-mounted ones, as they bounce about less than head torches, illuminate the entire forward path rather than just where the runner’s head is pointing, and mean that your vision isn’t obscured by your illuminated breath when it’s particularly cold.

We use the Suptig, which is lightweight but super bright and can also be worn on a belt if needed.

Buy at Amazon

3. TABIGER LED Armband

For a smaller present which would be great as a Secret Santa present for a runner, how about some running lights?

These LED armbands mean the runner in your life will be visible a mile off as they tick off the long run they’ve been putting off all week on a Sunday night.

Buy at Amazon

Belts and bands

Arm straps, bands, and waist belts can help carry things comfortably while running. But lugging money, keys, gels and chunky smartphones around not only presents a challenge when it comes to comfort but can have an impact on gait, movement, and speed.

Good quality carrying belts or bands can make great presents for runners. Here are a few options.

4. Flipbelt Classic Premium

To avoid that lopsided feeling, we like Flipbelt for no-bounce carrying around the waist with room for a phone, keys, money, and a few gels. Flipbelts come in multiple colours and sizes.

Buy at Amazon

5. Salomon Pulsebelt

Sleek and comfortable in fit, Pulsebelt by Salomon is an easy way to stash soft flash hydration bottles around the waist.

Buy at Amazon

GPS watches

Whether you or the runner you’re buying for are looking for a first GPS watch or an upgrade, there are a lot of options on the market. Watches are evolving so much that not only can they record runs, some can map routes, complete ultra-long races on just one charge, and even store music playlists.

GPS watches start at a lower budget and increase depending on what we want them to be able to do. One bonus is that many no longer look like traditional sports watches, meaning they can be worn all day long.

We love Garmin for watches for every budget, the great online community, and brilliant connectivity.

6. Garmin Forerunner 30

The Garmin Forerunner 30 is a superb entry level watch including wrist heart rate monitor. It comes in black or turquoise.

Buy at Amazon

7. Garmin Forerunner 245 music

A more advanced version of the Forerunner, allowing music storage inside the watch as well as more in-depth running dynamics such as stride length, training status and even stride length.

Buy at Amazon

Home workout kit

Finding time to get to the gym can be tricky, especially in these times of Covid-19, so home workout kits are proving to be one of the most requested items on runner’s present lists at the moment.

By training at home, runners can benefit from targeted injury prevention or ‘prehab’ work such as body weight activities and stretching.

8. Meglio latex free resistance bands

Meglio creates superb physio-grade exercise equipment that doesn’t cost the Earth. These bands come in light, medium and heavy and all come with a handy home workout guide.

Buy at Amazon

9. Meglio anti-burst gym ball

Meglio’s gym ball comes with a pump and workout guide included and it’s available in either red or blue. Runners can do loads of great core, glute and balance exercises on this one piece of kit.

Buy at Amazon

Hydration vests

For many runners, especially those running further, the issue of carrying water can present problems. Carrying bottles around the waist can add an uncomfortable bounce, while handheld bottles can lead to a change in form, painful shoulders, and even the dreaded stitch.

For longer distances, carrying water in comfort is best done with a backpack-style hydration vest. Vests come with space for soft bottles or larger bladders, and sometimes both.

10. Decathlon Rockrider

Decathlon have a range of hydration vests for running and hiking. The Rockrider can carry 4L and comes in bright yellow.

Buy at Decathlon

11. Salomon Advanced skin 12 set (men's fit)

At a slightly higher budget, Salomon hydration vests like the advanced Skin are super-comfortable, with space in the front and main back section for bottles and a reservoir.

Buy at Amazon

Sunglasses

Don’t be fooled into thinking sunglasses are just for the summer. Focus on running better in all seasons such as during frosty morning workouts in the low winter sun. A great pair of running sunglasses should be sweat resistant, no bounce and as light as possible for maximum comfort. It’s a bonus if they look great, too!

12. ND Runner Primary range

ND Runner shades are available in a range of styles and colours. The Primary Range is a great place to start, available in 10 colours.

Buy at ND Runner

13. Goodr OG polarised sunglasses

Goodr sunglasses are no-bounce, no-slip, and are stand out in race photos! They are available in a huge range of funky colours and designs.

Buy at Amazon

For the runner who has everything

If you’re buying for someone who already has all the gear, or you don’t know what they might want, here are some things that no runner can ever have enough of.

14. X-SOCKS Sky Run V2

With left and right labels to ensure they’re worn the right way around, these running socks are a cut above the average. Designed to provide extra support around the ankle, they can help prevent or recover from injury.

Buy at Amazon

Stay tuned!

This is a rolling post so we’ll be adding more present ideas for runners regularly.


Gear
Inspiration
Running Shoes
Running Watches

AuthorAnji Andrews
A well-known member of the North East UK running community, marathon runner, and GoodGym Area Activator for Newcastle. Anji is the social media voice and part of the production team of the UK's number one running podcast, Marathon Talk. Specialising in copywriting and social media, Anji is passionate about storytelling. Her first book, Running In The Midpack (co-written with Martin Yelling), was released in 2021.

More running gear buying guides

Running guides


Gear

Gear

All things running gear - including shoes, watches, jackets, and bags.

View guides

Injury

Injury

How to avoid injury, recover quickly, and return to running.

View guides

Inspiration

Inspiration

Running books, podcasts, routes, and ideas to give you that extra spring in your step.

View guides

Nutrition

Nutrition

How to eat healthily to maximise training benefit and improve your overall fitness.

View guides

Racing

Racing

How to prepare, how to execute, and how to bring it home.

View guides

Training

Training

How to approach your running training to go harder, faster, for longer.

View guides