20 Inexpensive (Yet Amazing) Gifts for Runners
Need a gift for the awesome runner in your life?
Whether it’s Christmas, a birthday, or “just because”, thoughtful running gifts make THE PERFECT gifts for runners!
You’re in luck – we scoured the internets and polled our running buddies to find the absolute best gifts for runners for 2020!
From running gear to safety stuff, you’ll find the perfect gift below for your favorite runner. We made it easy!
Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission to help keep the site running. This is at no additional cost to you. Opinions are entirely our own.
Post was originally published in 2018 but has been updated for 2020!
Running Gear Gifts for Runners
Runners need a lot of gear. It’s easy for us to push off buying gear for ourselves (I just threw out socks from 2004…I kid you not).
So surprise your runner with brand spanking new gear they’ll love and appreciate. They probably need it!
RELATED: The Best Cold Weather Running Gear 2020
1.) Performance Socks
Blisters suck. Ask any runner.
Performance socks like Balega are made of wicking material that prevents foot blisters.
A runner can never have too many socks (and these come in SO many colors) so it’s really one of the absolute best gifts for runners ever. And they’re only $13. BOOM.
2.) Toe Socks
Yes, they look silly. But they work so well.
Made of very functional performance material, Injinji toe socks prevent blisters by wicking sweat and moisture away from your feet.
Plus, they separate your toes to further prevent friction that causes painful blisters.
And….they’re only $13 a pair on Amazon. Not bad!
3.) Winter Running Hat
Perfect for women with a ponytail, I highly recommend Trailheads Ponytail Performance Beanie because it has 2 different ponytail slots at different heights (so it’s comfortable no matter where you tie your ponytail), plus has reflective properties in the front for extra safety.
It breathes amazingly well (because it’s performance material) but also still holds in the warmth to keep your head toasty warm.
I bought this hat 3 years ago and couldn’t live without it now.
The perfect gift for runners who run in chilly weather!
RELATED: Want warm weather running gifts? Find the best summer gifts for runners in the Hot Weather Running Gear Guide.
Running Accessories
Gift useful accessories to make running easier for your runner.
Runners sometimes only buy necessary items…but they really WANT fun running accessories. These items make running easier and more fun, and are the absolute perfect gift!
4.) Goodr Running Sunglasses
For $25, these are the best pair of running sunglasses we’ve seen in that price range.
Why?
They don’t slip or bounce (at all, we’ve tested it), polarized lenses, and they block 100% of harmful UV light.
And Goodr sunglasses come in a bunch of awesome colors too.
5.) Wireless Headphones
If you’re looking for an affordable gift, some wireless headphones won’t fit the bill.
But, there are a lot of reasonably-priced options for the casual runner, and here are 2 of my favorites.
Mpow Flame Bluetooth Headphones are good too, and only cost $20. They hold a charge for 7-9 hours and recharge in just 1.5 hours. Runners like them (check out the almost 6,000 reviews on Amazon as proof).
The second option, is iKanzi wireless earbuds.
iKanzi bluetooth wireless earbuds are waterproof (perfect for sweaty runners), have a long battery life and have no wires at all!
Some runners prefer to run completely wire-free (I’m one of them) and the $55 price is completely worth it.
After all, some earbuds cost upwards of $100-$200+ so these are a great middle-of-the-road option that works well.
6.) Flipbelt
Carrying things like keys, ID’s, fuel, and more is easier with a FlipBelt.
The convenience itself is worth $28.99 on Amazon. Plus, the fit is designed for runners – it doesn’t slip or bounce around.
Your runner friend will appreciate this FlipBelt gift because it makes carrying things while running so much easier.
7.) Foam Rollers
Foam rollers help in muscle recovery, but a lot of runners neglect to purchase this important item.
Be a thoughtful gift-giver by giving foam rollers to your runner to help them recover after long runs and workouts. They may not know they need a foam roller, but believe us, once they have one…they’ll never stop using it.
AmazonBasics sells a high-density foam roller for $19.99.
RELATED: The Complete Guide to Foam Rolling for Runners
8.) Running Water Bottle
Hydration is key for long runs, especially in warm weather.
Give the gift of portable H20, with the Nathan QuickShot Flask, which ranges from $11-$25 (depending on color choice).
It includes a handy zipped pocket and comfortable hand grip to make running with water a breeze.
9.) Hydration Backpack
Does your runner run long distances? Or do trail running?
Give the gift of water 🙂
A hydrated runner is a happy runner, and a hydration backpack has saved me on long runs recently.
The Miracol Hydration Backpack comes in 9 colors, has a 68oz bladder, thermal insulation and compartments to store stuff too.
For only $25.99 (some colors are a couple dollars more for some reason), this hydration pack is a steal!
10.) Muscle Roller Stick (Massage Stick)
Similar to the foam rollers, but more targeted, the muscle roller stick helps in muscle recovery and eases muscle soreness.
Other “name brand” massage sticks go for over $25 but the IDSON muscle roller stick is only $12.99 and does the exact same thing.
Runners love this tool because it’s super portable and incredibly helpful for recovery after runs.
Safety Gear Gifts for Runners
Runners know they should use safety gear…but don’t always want to buy it for themselves.
But, if it shows up wrapped in a pretty bow, who are we to refuse such a thoughtful (and useful!) gift?
11.) Reflective Vest
Running at night is a necessity for some runners.
But once it gets dark, it becomes dangerous to run on or near streets.
Keep your runner safe at night with this highly reflective safety vest with arm bands for $19.95 on Amazon.
12.) Running Headlamp
Again, running at night can be dangerous and runners need to see and be seen at all times.
This LED headlamp is SUPER inexpensive at just $8.99 and won’t disappoint.
It has 4 light settings, adjusts to any head size and angles up and down easily.
I wear this every week for my Thursday night rub club runs and it’s never failed me! I also just bought one for my Dad and he loves it.
13.) Tracer360 by NoxGear (Light-Up Running Safety Vest)
My brother bought the Tracer360 vest for me for Christmas and I am in love with it!
It’s a super lightweight running accessory that lights up to keep runners safe running in the dark.
This vest is rainproof, has 40 hours of battery life, comes with tons of colors to choose from and most importantly, drastically improves your visibility in low or no-light environments.
The perfect gift for early morning, or night time, runners, and goes for about $60 on Amazon (sometimes less if they have a sale going).
Fun Gifts for Runners
Not into utilitarian gifts? Go straight for the fun gifts instead then.
From gifts to hold race medals and bibs, to wine glasses made just for runners, these fun gifts for runners will be loved and appreciated!
14.) Medal Holder
Nowhere to put all those hard-earned race medals?
Help your runner display them prominently with this stylish wooden medal holder from Etsy ($35).
Customize it too, for an extra touch of love.
15.) Runners Wine Glass (because we earned it)
Gift this cute runner’s wine glass for a chuckle (and a well-earned glass of wine)! Only $13.95 on Amazon.
Pairs well with a bottle of wine for maximum gift enjoyment.
16.) Running Bib Display – the “Bibfolio”
Help organize important race bibs!
Bibfolio bib holders are $39.99 and the perfect way to preserve race bibs (and medals, if you want, too).
Your runner will enjoy reminiscing about awesome past races every time he/she looks at this gift.
RELATED: 10 Delightful Fitness Gifts for Women Under $25
17.) Runner’s Necklace
This meaningful silver necklace comes in “run.” or distances like 5K, 10K, 13.1 26.2 (etc).
Celebrate a distance milestone, or just a love of running, with this $18 Run necklace.
Also comes in gold and rose gold.
18.) Runner’s Bracelet
Give the gift of motivation with this sweat-proof runners bracelet.
Made from recycled material, this cute bracelet comes in 9 attractive colors for just $12.99 on Etsy.
19.) Runners Coffee Mug
If you run, you understand. If not…your runner will understand!
Gift this made-to-order funny runners coffee mug in either 11 ounces (for $14) or 15 ounces (for $17) from Etsy.
Running Fuel Gifts for Runners (Good for half marathoners/marathoners!)
Runners love food. They especially love food when it’s a mid-run snack to give them an energy boost:
20.) NUUN Hydration Tablets
Runners need electrolytes, and Nuun hydration tablets provide them, without all the icky stuff (read: tons of sugar) that other sports drinks have.
For reference, 16 ounces of Lemon Lime Gatorade contains about 26 grams of sugar, and Nuun contains only 1 gram.
Nuun comes in 12+ delicious flavors. 1 package contains 10 tablets (1 tablet is used per 16 ounces) and costs under $10. Buy in bulk for an even better deal.
GU
Help your runner stock up on GU energy gels in a variety of yummy flavors!
GU is consumed mid-run to provide fuel and should be eaten every 45-60 minutes.
If your runner goes on a lot of long runs, that means they need a lot of fuel – help them out with a 24 pack of GU from Amazon for about $32 (that’s about $1.20 each, which is half the price it usually is in stores).
Clif Bloks
Same concept as GU, but a different texture (gummy).
Gift a sampler pack, which is 8 Clif Blok bars, in 8 different flavors so your runner can find the perfect one and not get bored!
RELATED: Runners Food 101: The Ultimate Guide to Nutrition for Runners
That’s the top 20 best gifts for runners! Did we miss any? Tell us your favorite gift in the comments, we always love new ideas!
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
10 Delightful Fitness Gifts for Women Under $25
How to Increase Your Running Endurance
Pin this post for later!
