Revision as of 12:25, 4 December 2012

If you're looking for the perfect gift for a runner, here is my list of ideas.

• The Stick. No runner should be without the best Massage device. I use mine every day, and it makes a big difference, helping me avoid injuries and easing sore muscles. It's $32 at Amazon.com.
• Foam Roller. If your runner already has The Sick, then the Foam Roller is the other great tool for keeping their legs working. It's $25 at Amazon.com for a good quality version that will last.
• Books. The recent bestseller 'Born to Run' is well written and entertaining, as well as thought provoking ($11 at Amazon.com).
• Halo Hat. This is by far the best running hat I've found, and I wear mine for every run, regardless of the weather ($22 at Amazon.com).
• Offer to crew. A different gift is to offer to crew your runner through a race or training run. Crewing an ultra is a big undertaking, so don't make this offer lightly. Another option is to offer to drive so the runner can do a long point to point run.
• Foot rubz. While it's not as critical as The Stick or a Foam Roller, massaging your feet with this little ball feels great and is only $6 at Amazon.com.
• Sugoi Helium Jacket. This jacket weighs less than 3oz, is windproof, water resistant and is my favorite. (Men's is $54-100, Women's is $65-100.)

Other ideas

These are great gifts, but I'd suggest you ask your runner to find out what they'd like.

• ID Bracelet. Hopefully they'll never need an ID bracelet, but it's an important safety measure just in case. There are a number of options available, such as Road ID for $20. However, if they have any medical conditions, I'd recommend going with MedicAlert.
• Music. Small MP3 players like the SanDisk Clip Zip ($35 at Amazon.com) or iPod Shuffle ($50 at Amazon.com) are ideal for running. For better sound quality, the most important factor is the headphones, so give a pair of Koss SportaPro ($21 at Amazon.com).
• GPS Watch. I recommend the Garmin 310XT for any runner, but there are cheaper options and smaller options, so read Best Running Watch before buying.
• Compression Sleeves. These sleeves are all the rage, and for a good reason. They make a nice gift, but they have to be sized correctly, especially the calf circumference, which makes it tricky for them to be a surprise gift. Of the many calf sleeves on the market, I'd recommend the 2XU Sleeves ($40-45 at Amazon.com).