14 present ideas for running obsessives
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.
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.
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.
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.
5. Salomon Pulsebelt
Sleek and comfortable in fit, Pulsebelt by Salomon is an easy way to stash soft flash hydration bottles around the waist.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stay tuned!
This is a rolling post so we’ll be adding more present ideas for runners regularly.
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