Gift Ideas for Runners

Last Updated: August 21, 2012

Gadgets
GPS Watches:
Motorola MOTOACTV 8GB GPS Sports Watch and MP3 Player

Garmin Forerunner 405CX

Nike+ GPS Sport Watch powered by TomTom
Only has 3 hour battery life, not recomended for marathon running/training.



Regular Watches:
The Ironman series of watches by Timex are a classic staple of running. Lightweight and feature packed, with large lap-memory and a big display.


Heart Rate Monitors:
Measuring your heart rate is the best way to analyze the amount of effort you are exerting while training, making a heart rate monitor a valueable and essential training tool.



Pedometers:
Pedometers, like this model from Omran, keep track of the number of steps you take each day. Many come with cables for dowloading step data to your computer for history tracking and analysis.


Music:


Replenishment
Water Bottles:
Fuel Belt offers a wide line of water bottles, including belt models that make carrying them easier. They are available in many sizes and colors.


Polar makes an insulated water bottle that keeps your drinks cold. Great for running and cycling.


Camelbak makes a variety of backpack styled water bags like the Hydrobak 50oz, available in different colors.





Gels:
Energy gels like these from Gu and Cliff provide essential nutrition for long training runs and races to keep you from hitting the wall.




Drinks:
Powdered electrolyte drink mixes replinish the electrolytes lost in sweat helping you to recover from training more quickly.


Gear Essentials
Shirts:
Look for shirts made from breathable fabrics. Brooks makes high quality running apparel used by the pros.


Shorts:


Jackets:
These brightly colored jackets made by Brooks are good for improving your visibility to motorists.



Hats:
A light colored hat can keep the sun out of your eyes and keep your head cooler when running outdoors on a sunny day.



Socks:



Shoes:
If buying as a gift, be sure you know their size and shoe preferences. Some runners consistently buy the same brand and model.
Asics Gel Nimbus 13

Brooks Pure Connect

Sunglasses:
Tifosi makes a variety of affordable sport sunglasses.

Sunscreen:
A good quality sport sunscreen won't wear off with sweat. Should be SPF 30 or greater. Don't wait until it's too late!

Bags:
Runners need a way to carry all of there gear around when travelling or going to a race. A nice bag from Asics or Adidas are perfect for carrying shoes or a change of clothes.









Training:
Resistance Bands are great for toning and strength training.



Media
Books:

Born To Run


Chi Running


Movies:

Without Limits


Spirit of the Marathon


Chariots of Fire


Prefontaine


Magazines:
A magazine subscription is a gift that keeps on giving, with new issues covering the latest in training tips, stories, and reviews of runnign gear.
Runners World


Running Times


Fun Stuff
Stickers:



Gift Cards:
Let that runner get whatever they have their eye on! Amazon sells almost everything that a runner could want.