These Gifts for Runners Are More Creative (And Useful) Than Another Pair of Sneakers (2024)

NormaTec’s Pulse 2.0 is admittedly expensive, but it’s also a valuable aid when it comes to recovery. If you have an amateur athlete in your life, this can help them bounce back faster and deal with less inflammation as it compresses, boosting circulation and combatting soreness.

Whereas socks might get you an “Oh... thanks,” from many people, they’re always great gifts for runners. These Balegas, specifically, wick moisture well thanks to the mohair wool and Drynamix in their fabric. This means there’s less chance for uncomfortable chafing and blisters. That wool also retains warmth, though—good as we enter the colder months—without too much heat buildup.

There are some recovery methods that are more active. But for the individual who’s a fan of the more laid-back approach, the Runnerbox is a great choice. This subscription service provides runners with goodies and food options delivered every other month. They’ll have a new batch of items waiting for them, including protein bars, sneaker-whitening powder, ready-to-eat granola, and more.

There are a few essentials everyone needs to have with them on a run—phone, wallet, keys. This belt accommodates them and stays in place without jostling or bouncing. Bonus: the comfortable, low-profile buckle.

Eye protection is crucial. These best-selling sports sunglasses feature a polarized gray-based and blue mirror-coated lens to protect eyes from the sun’s rays. The best part? It doesn’t affect the view — runners can still take in the road, trail, or nature around them without manipulated colors and hues.

This cookbook, designed by pro runner Shalane Flanagan, focuses on the best foods to fuel your performance. With recipes ranging from smoothies to sandwiches to pasta to cookies, it has everything you need to nourish a hard-working body. Plus, the dishes are delicious and will leave even your non-runner friends coming back for seconds.

For beginners or younger runners, this Garmin has all the basics you need at an affordable price. It tracks distance, pace, and heart rate, and it has a sleeker design than most watches from the brand, making it a great choice for smaller wrists.

For the runner who’s always tight, this massage tool is cheaper than a monthly visit to the spa or therapist, and it can get deep into the tissue without tiring. It comes with five heads and has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 3 hours.

Do you have a run/race that you were super proud of? Does your friend want to show off their PR? This mug allows you to print a custom Strava post showing the map, pace, distance, and time. This is a great option for commemorating a lesser-known race that might not have memorabilia.

Just because they don’t have a bathtub doesn’t mean that washing up after a run can’t be therapeutic. These shower steamers are filled with dried plants and essential oils, which can give washing up a relaxing aromatherapy vibe.

Know an endurance athlete? There’s a good chance that they already use Gu to help them get through their toughest workouts and longest races—and that makes it a great stocking stuffer, since you know it won’t go to waste.

This essential tool might just give them the most affordable massage they’ll ever get. The foam roller gets deep into stubborn knots with its range of nubs and grooves.

Writing down your training can be both therapeutic and can help you keep better track of your progress. This journal, designed by pro Lauren Fleshman, helps keep track of weekly training, gives tips on how to improve, and even has exercises to help you assess where you are in terms of your overall fitness progress.

Great for triathletes, kids, or people who hate tying their shoes, these Lock Laces allow them to slip on their running shoes and still have them stay secure and supportive on your feet. They also come in 13 different colors, which gives you a bunch of options if you’re trying to match a particular pair of shoes.

A lot of phone holders can be bulky and annoying, but this design by Sprigs feels like a second skin. Rubber nubs on the inside of the sleeve ensure that it doesn’t slip. And since it’s made from stretchy fabric, it can fit almost any size phone.

Headphones are essential for many runners. These editor-approved bluetooth headphones offer up to 9 hours of listening time and are sweat-resistant, so they’ll remain comfortable throughout long runs. Plus, with no wires, they won’t get tangled up while you’re racking up those miles.

Ditch the sugary sports drinks in favor of these Nuun tablets. They help replenish salt and electrolytes lost after working out, and they’re free of artificial flavoring. These four flavors provide some much-needed variety.

This inflatable hot tub makes winter training recovery less frightful and more delightful. It can fit up to four people and works both indoors and out—though it does need to be 39 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer outside.

Your giftee can layer up for those winter runs with this water-resistant vest. Stuffed with warm down, it provides optimal warmth and protection from the wind while remaining lightweight enough to not impact speed and time. It’s available in five colors (sonic pink, cassis, pipe dream blue, raceway green, and black) and in sizes 0 to 18.