19 Best Christmas Gifts for Runners 2020

We scoured the internet for the best Christmas gifts for runners and found these 19 you’ll LOVE, perfectly picked out for 2020!

From essential training gear to quirky running trinkets, we found the best of it all.

And the best part?

It’s all right here at your fingertips. No stressful mall shopping this year, no way.

So grab the best Christmas gifts for your runner now, and enjoy the huge smile when they open it. Hugs may ensue. We can’t guarantee it, but it’s been known to happen.

1.) Winter Running Hat for Women

For many runners, winter running is required in order to train for spring races.

And, if you live in a place that spits frozen chunks of water at you all winter (like, oh, say Boston), or one with windy gusts that blow you over mid-run…this hat is the solution to withstanding winter running.

The Trailheads Ponytail Hat protects your head and ears from the wind like a pro.

Plus, it has 2 hole options for your ponytail (depending on if you wear a higher or lower ponytail).

Why is this awesome? It means the hat actually stays on your head, comfortably (unlike other hats).

Boom. That makes for a happy winter runner!

2.) Running Handheld Water Bottle

Runners should bring water on runs lasting 45+ minutes (or 30+ minutes, if it’s hot out).

But many runners find it hard to bring along a regular water bottle. It’s slippery, it’s too big to hold comfortably, it’s hard to carry…etc.

Enter: Nathan SpeedDraw Handheld Water Bottle.

This 18oz water bottle has an adjustable handle that makes the bottle fit in your hand perfectly without needing a death-grip on it.

It’s insulated, which keeps your water colder for longer than regular water bottles (which is a treat in warmer weather!).

Plus, the Nathan SpeedDraw has a zippered pocket perfect for mid-run fuel, keys, your phone, chapstick, etc.

3.) Tracer360 by NoxGear (Light-Up Running Safety Vest)

Does your runner run early in the morning? Or at night? Or anytime there is low-light or darkness?

If so, make sure they stay safe, with a light-up running vest!

The Tracer360 by NoxGear is literally one of my favorite pieces of running gear ever.

Why? It makes running in the dark safer.

Be highly visible in the dark, without the need for reflecting light like many other purely-reflective vests. This one has it’s own long-lasting battery so you’re totally lit up and visible to cars, bikes, other runners and loose neighborhood dogs.

Confession: I also love it because of the many different color settings, so every time I run, I can “match” the light color to my outfit, or running sneakers. LOVE.

4.) Race Bib & Medal Display

Help your runner display their achievements with this useful (and adorable) Race Bib & Medal Display Holder!

This display solves the age old question of what to do with your hard-earned race medals.

Display them proudly!

5.) Foam Roller

Loosen muscles and recover better after a run or hard workout, with the LuxFit 18″ Foam Roller.

The foam roller was game-changing for me.

It made recovery SO much better (and believe me, every runner wants to feel as good as good as possible after running).

Not sure how to use a foam roller? Check out these 6 Classic Foam Rolling Moves for Runners (and snag the LuxFit Foam Roller while you’re at it too).

6.) Run Fast, Eat Slow Cookbook

Runners of ALL levels will appreciate the delicious and nutritious recipes in the Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook.

I had a hard time implementing proper running nutrition when training for my first half marathon, and it showed in my lack of energy and sore muscles.

Now, with this cookbook (as well as the follow-up, called Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow, which has quicker recipe options), I have SO MANY yummy recipes at my fingertips to fuel my training (and my every day life too).

In fact, I love both books so much, I’ll be buying them for my runner friends this Christmas!

7.) 365 Day Running Journal

They say you accomplish what you track, and what better way to track your running progress (and CRUSH your running goals) than with a 365-Day Running Journal?

Track run distance, how you felt, location, weather, goals, progress and so much more.

Give the gift of goal-tracking and help your runner accomplish their running goals this year with the 365-Day Running Journal!

8.) Garmin Forerunner

Going with the theme of tracking things, every runner needs a running watch, whether they are just beginning or a seasoned pro.

Here are my 2 favorite options. You can’t go wrong with either of these Christmas gifts for runners, because both are incredibly useful.

Option 1: The Garmin Forerunner 35

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is an excellent running watch for beginners.

It has essential features like:

• Wrist Heart Rate Monitor
• Tracks Distance, Pace, Steps
• Calorie Burned Calculations
• Customizable Screen
• Auto-Pause (helpful for those darn stoplights)
• Daily Goal-Tracking
• And more

Option 2: The Garmin Forerunner 235

The Garmin Forerunner 235 offers more advanced features and is a great Christmas gift for half marathoners & marathoners, those going for PR’s, or for anyone who enjoys robust functionality to assist in their training.

Get everything the Forerunner 35 has, PLUS features like:

• V02Max estimate
• Recovery Advisor (helpful because it tells you how many recovery hours your body requires based on your most recent run or workout)
• Pace Alert
• Advanced Workouts
• ConnectIQ (the mobile app that tells you all your stats, etc)
• Aerobic Training Effect
• And more

9.) FlipBelt

Carry all the things on your run with the FlipBelt.

Keys, your phone, ID, money – it all fits comfortably on your waist and stays in place throughout your run.

Plus, the FlipBelt lays fairly flat because you can disperse the items all around it (unlike some other waist pouches I’ve used, which bulge because the pouch is only in front or back).

10.) Phone Holder Armband

Runners love listening to music while running, but it’s no fun to run while holding your phone.

So instead, gift this super-useful Running Phone Armband and help your runner comfortably wear their phone running.

11.) Running Sunglasses

I have a couple of favorite running sunglasses, and these are currently #1 because they (generally) fit both men and women.

The Hulislem S1 Sport Polarized Sunglasses are inexpensive, yet they work, and they work really well!

They’re lightweight, have UV 400 protection and are stress resistant.

Plus, choose from a bunch of fun colors, and get a case to keep them unscathed when you’re not wearing them.

12.) The Best Running Hat (Running Cap)

Lightweight, comfortable and extremely useful, this Under Armour Cap fits even small heads (I know from experience) and keeps sweat, rain and sun out of your eyes while running.

13.) Compression Socks

Compression socks help runners recover faster by increasing the blood flow in our hard-used muscles during (and after) running.

These Laite Hebe Compression Socks come in a pack of 3 (because nobody got time to wash those suckers every night in time for our next run) and in a myriad of fun colors too!

14.) Tiger Tail (Massage Stick)

The Tiger Tail Massage Stick is another running item that I discovered while training for my first half marathon.

It’s AMAZING.

Runners use it before or after running to loosen tight muscles, which helps improve muscle recovery (ie: your muscles won’t ache as badly after using it).

I also use the Tiger Tail to (gently) work out tight knots…I can’t live without this massage stick during training!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…

Find something perfect in that list?

Hopefully you did (they’re all favorites of mine, and my running friends, so they’re bound to be good).

But if not, I have a surprise for you: a bonus section with a few amazing stocking stuffers for runners! Read on for mini-gift goodness.

Best Christmas Gifts for Runners: Awesome Stocking Stuffers Section

It’s hard to find worthwhile stocking stuffers for adults, isn’t it?

There’s plenty for kids – just check the front section of any Target – but not so many choices for adults, right?

Fun fact: My Dad used to give my Mom blank video tapes in her stocking to take up room so he didn’t have to think of other stuff to buy back in the 90’s…bet you can guess how well that went over 🙂

BUT….for RUNNERS….there actually are so many options!

Let me introduce these wonderful and oh-so-useful stocking stuffer ideas.

15.) Balega Socks

Feet sweat. And feet definitely sweat while running.

Guess what sweaty feet lead to?

Painful blisters. 🙁

Balega socks are performance socks that wick moisture away from the feet to make them happy and blister-free!

16.) Nuun Hydration Tablets

Runners need to drink water and electrolytes after long or hot runs. Apparently 75% of the population is consistently dehydrated* – eek!

Many turn to Gatorade. Which is fine, albeit sugary and filled with calories.

I prefer Nuun electrolyte tablets for MANY reasons, like:

• Only 1 gram of sugar per serving (1 tablet which =
• Only 15 calories per serving
• Plant-based (gluten free, dairy free, soy free)
• Tons of Flavor Choices (my favorites are lemon lime & watermelon)

17.) Glide (Prevent Chafing)

Chafing is a runner’s worst nightmare.

Prevent it, with Glide (for the body) and Glide (for feet).

Glide is like a runner-specific Vaseline that reduces friction and stops blisters and chafing in their tracks. Indispensable!

18.) GU

Buying a gift for a long-distance runner? Maybe a half marathoner or a marathoner?

Then they need mid-run food! And most runners enjoy a delicious GU packet on a run.

Grab a mixed-pack of GU and let your runner take a taste of the GU-ey rainbow of flavors – from Chocolate to Berry, there’s a flavor for everyone.

19.) Running Headlamp

Ok, I know it looks like something a miner would wear in the dark coal mines, but stay with me.

This LED Headlamp is PERFECT for lighting the way on early morning or late night runs when it’s dark outside.

And the battery lasts forever. And it’s super inexpensive.

Buy it. Your runner will thank you. It makes running in the dark MUCH easier!

You Found the Best Christmas Gifts for Runners, Now What?

What do you do next? Grab your Christmas gifts now, silly!

Everyone knows that holiday shopping can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be!

With the list above, you have everything you need to buy the BEST Christmas gifts for runners this year, without ever leaving the comfort of your computer.

So what are you waiting for? Snag the items you love and get ready for huge smiles on Christmas morning!

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*Source: https://nuunlife.com