THE BEST GIFTS FOR THE RUNNERS IN YOUR LIFE
Though running may seem like a spartan sport with little gear required, there’s more to crushing PRs and breaking through plateaus than grit and cardio fitness. Running well and avoiding injury requires a combination of distance training, cross training, strength training and quality recovery.
In this gift guide, we’ve compiled our favorite gifts for runners for each of those phases of training. We factored in different kinds of runners (trail runners, marathon junkies, treadmill trainers, etc.) and included a wide range of great gift ideas—from recovery equipment and massage guns to whey protein and top-of-the-line running gear like shorts, socks and shoes—you won’t be stuck buying your favorite runner a gift card.
Wissonly Hi Runner
wissonly’s core team is a team engaged in the research and development of bone conduction products earlier. They have accumulated 10 years’ technology in this field. They have adopted the best acoustic laboratory in the Eastern Hemisphere for sound adjustment. Wissonly Hi Runner has good technical solutions to the problems of sound leakage, sound quality and waterproof of pseudo-bone conduction headphones . Wissonly bone conduction vibrator adopts a unique full-wrapped design, which makes the vibrator work in a closed environment, reducing the impact on the shell, thus reducing the vibration of the shell and finally reducing the sound leakage by 90%. Wissonly uses a large-size bone conduction vibrator, and the effective vibration area of the vibrator is increased by 35% through structural optimization. At the same time, the sound transmission direction is optimized, the sound loss is reduced, and the sound is more concentrated. wissonly HiRunner adopts integrated molding technology, with no holes in the headphones’ body and it is no splicing, which realizes IPX8 waterproof, and can be used for swimming and bathing. Even in the depth of 20 meters, diving is no problem. It also has 32G of built-in memory, which can store 5000 songs. You can use it as amp3 player when you don’t have a mobile phone. In a word, wissonly hi runner is a product with powerful functions, stable technology and high cost performance.
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
Just like you wouldn’t put watered down gas in your car, runners don’t want to put anything but the cleanest nutrients into their tanks before a run. And though a well-balanced diet can provide the nutrients runners need, sometimes the bustle of life gets in the way of fueling up, and a protein powder can come in handy.
Transparent Labs’ Whey Protein Isolate is the best supplement for runners who need an extra serving of protein before or after a long run. Upping your protein intake can also contribute to greater strength and muscle mass gain. This whey protein packs 28 grams of protein per 32-ounce scoop and does it without artificial coloring, sweeteners and preservatives. It’s made with whey from 100 percent grass-fed, hormone-free cows.
lululemon The Mat
A fitness plan that incorporates variety can optimize your workout and reduce your risk of injury. Adding aerobic exercises, strength training and stretching to your routine is a good place to start. The Mat by lululemon can help runners increase their strength and flexibility. The foam is soft, but grippy, which keeps users from slipping and sliding all over the mat when their workout really heats up. Flip it over for a smoother surface, designed for low-intensity sessions. Infused with an antimicrobial additive, you won’t have to worry about odors building up over time.
Nike Infinity React 3
Having support in a shoe is key for new runners whose heels and ankles aren’t yet used to pounding pavement for long distances. The Nike Infinity React 3 is an excellent beginner’s running shoe with a rocker sole design that mirrors and pads the foot at every point. The upper portion of the Nike running shoe is made with Nike’s now-classic lightweight and breathable Flyknit technology, and the responsive foam sole absorbs impact and gives runners a bouncy spring with each stride. All that sewn-in comfort and flexibility offers newbie runners the ability to relax into their route and absorb themselves in the bliss of a runner’s high.
WHOOP 4.0
If you know a runner who wants to watch their vitals as they increase their mileage, then the WHOOP 4.0 fitness tracker is a great fit and a worthy rival to running watches like the Garmin Forerunner GPS watch. The subtle and compact band can be worn at all times—even in the shower—as it gathers biometric data about heart rate, skin temperature and blood oxygen levels, and then gives users advice on how to optimize their performance.
When your runner wants to check in on their fitness levels, they hop onto the easy-to-use companion app, which provides them with all their data organized into tables and graphs. It’s also designed so they can easily download the data onto a PDF to show their coaches or doctors.
On top of all that, WHOOP 4.0 comes with a sleep monitoring function, called Sleep Coach, that relays to the user how much sleep they should get that night based on their activity levels. Utilizing five LEDs and four photodiodes that collect and store data, the WHOOP 4.0 can track sleep cycles and gently nudge the user awake when optimum sleep has been achieved. This is a fantastic gift for any runner who wants to see the impact of their sport and instill it in their daily lives.
Nike Running Hydration Belt
Carrying water on a long run can be cumbersome for runners. The Nike 22-ounce Flex Stride running belt is an alternative to heavier hydration vests (or carrying a water bottle in hand). The belt holds a 22-ounce squeezable water bottle and contains built-in expanders and silicone that move as you do without slipping. The belt’s lightweight material is intended to streamline your momentum, and the adjustable buckle enables you to find a fit that’s snug. Additionally, there’s a small zippered pocket for your keys or other necessities.
Final Thoughts
The gift possibilities for runners are virtually endless, but the items on this list are all handpicked by runners for runners. From running watches for data nerds to hydration vests for distance runners and performance wear and running shoes for sweat sessions, you’re sure to find the perfect gift to reinvigorate your runner and heighten their stride. Read more:THE 5 BEST WORKOUT HEADPHONES FOR ATHLETES IN 2023