The Best Gifts for Runners

Speed is relative. Yet whether a runner is training for a fast sub-ultra race or enjoying the views on a long run through the mountains, the new Mafate Speed 2 from HOKA is top-tier accompaniment. Designed for technical trails, this shoe features deep Active Foot frames, which HOKA designed to support the foot on rocky, uneven terrain. Plus, a super-lightweight construction and trusty Vibram® Megagrip outsoles paired with MetaRocker™ technology will keep your favorite runner rolling uphill and downhill. Don't skip the chance to give them the gift of blissful running.

Read More: Best Road Running Shoes of 2024: Tested | Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024: Tested

Runners who brave all seasons know the power of a great vest. No sleeves, no problems. Offering the perfect balance between warmth, breathability, coziness and mobility, the On Weather Vest will see you through a rocky winter. Weighing in at a mere 2.5 ounces for women and 3.5 ounces for men, and featuring a water repellent layer, this insulated vest leaves runners unencumbered and unbothered. And for when the weather makes a turn for the better—or the body finally warms up after several miles—the vest packs down into its own pocket.

As a runner, we have certain reliable, no-fuss pieces in our kits. The Craft ADV SubZ Long-Sleeve Shirt 2 is precisely this type of product. It features plenty of thoughtful details—think moisture-wicking recycled fabric, polyester mesh for airflow and moisture movement, a woven pocket on the left sleeve and a zipper garage to help prevent chafing at the neck—but its aesthetic is as smooth and streamlined as each of your strides. For an extra punch of visibility, go for the Vibrant colorway.

Sure, Craft refers to the athletic-fitting ADV SubZ Sweater 3 as a sweater, but let's be real. It's a high-tech, zippered turtleneck—and we are here for it! Your running-loving giftee will be, too, once they burrow into the wind-deterring high neckline. The Ventair front body, which has a lightly padded, three-layer construction, likewise defies wintery gusts, and the thumb loops at the end of the brushed recycled poly/elastane jersey sleeves along with the drop-cut back add a dose of warmth. Reflective details around the garment boost visibility for no- or low-sun runs. For men—or whoever prefers a style with a looser fit and that's easier to get on and off—essentially the same piece comes in jacket form, so you can zip up from bottom to top.

The new Active Fleece Wind Half Zip from Smartwool blends breathable merino wool, recycled polyester and stretchy elastane to create a snuggly, moisture-managing, move-with-you midlayer that’s perfect for getting after it when the temperatures drop. Subtle thumb loops are ready to deploy for an extra dose of cozy, and reflective hits on the logo and zippered front chest pocket enhance visibility on low- and no-light outings. Flatlock seams throughout the garment help to prevent chafing and reduce bulk if, say, conditions call for a waterproof shell.

Think of the Winter Warm Pro Running Jacket from The North Face as the iconic (circa 1988) Denali fleece's (women's and men's) athletic younger sibling. Where the Denali is designed with uber-cozy Polartec recycled polyester fleece, the Winter Warm Pro Running Jacket puts a premium on performance with a non-PFC DWR finish and wind resistant WindWall™ fabric (air permeability rated at less than 10 cubic feet per minute) across the front, shoulders and upper back. Nick Lobb, REI's assistant category merchant for men's and women's run apparel, adds that the "grid-fleece lin[ing] with additional targeted insulation in key areas [helps] to keep you warm but also dump[s] heat" when you start to warm up. The internal, secure-zip pocket lets you keep your cards—or your essentials—close to your chest.

This upgrade to the much-loved On Performance Bra now comes with another level of customization. The Performance Flex Bra is sized both by band and cup size, so runners can find a more supportive fit in the medium-compression range. Building on the greatness of its previous version, a mix of recycled polyster and elastane is both sweat-wicking and breathable, while feeling butter soft on the skin. And the built-in Herbafoam™ cups fit seamlessly around the breasts to keep you locked in without sacrificing comfort or creating an over-padded look. Our editor for Run felt supported through a nearly 2 hour jog, reporting no chafing even after forgetting to apply Bodyglide; the signature high neckline also provided her coverage that doubled as extra support, keeping everything secure as the miles clicked and sweat flowed.

Running-ready sunnies are a special breed. Full UV protection is a given, of course, but the springy, sweaty, forward propulsion of running is best served by shades with bounce-preventing nose pads and no-slip grips. A lightweight design matters too, and personally, we're fans of larger frame styles that are both on-trend and offer protection against the sun's harmful rays. The Corridor from respected sunglasses brand Oakley delivers all these benefits with the vital addition of top-of-the-line lens technology. Their proprietary Prizm lenses (available in a rosy Prizm Road tint for medium light conditions or golden Prizm 24k for full light conditions) promise to enhance color and contrast so your giftee doesn't miss any scenic details—or tripping-hazards—along their run.

Want to make sure your favorite running buddy has fewer excuses to bail when temps turn frosty? Gift them the Winter Warm Pro Tights from The North Face. These winter-weight, full-length leggings feature moisture-managing FlashDry™ materials, a comfortable mid-rise that just reaches the belly button and an inner lining so soft your giftee won't want to take their tights off when they're back home. Two mesh side hip pockets, two handwarmer (or phone-holder) pockets on the upper thigh and a final zippered pocket on the center back of the waistband mean they can bring a Gu, stash a snack and securely tuck in their keys.

Weighing in at an ultralight 7 ounces, the On Ultra Hydration Vest is as practical as it is sleek. City dwellers will appreciate this hydration vest for its fashionable minimalism paired with ample storage space for phone, snacks, keys and an extra layer or two. The vest comes with two BPA-free 500ml HydraPak bottles, which sit in easily accessible chest pockets. One customer-reviewer remarked on how easy it is to adjust the vest, with its patent pending closure system and hem. They added, "I really appreciate all the different pockets [...]. I can carry everything that I need and it all feels secure when I am running." Some reviewers noted that the vest runs small, so if in doubt or between sizes, size up.

Need a timely idea for the runner on your gift list who's stats-obsessed, directionally challenged and/or in the market for a running coach? Check out the lightweight, low-profile COROS PACE 3. This feature-rich training watch includes advanced sensors for monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen levels, three different sleep stages, altitude and distance (dual-frequency GPS ensures precise calculations). Its on-watch Breadcrumb Navigation system lays out the trail ahead to make course-correction a straightforward process. Users can also download training plans, access and assess their workout results in the COROS App and Training Hub and get personalized improvement tips from the free COROS Coaches service. All that, plus non-running activity modes like hiking, skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and the battery provides 38 hours of continuous GPS tracking or 24 days of continuous daily use.

Even the runner who has it all will smile when they unwrap a pair of new socks. And the Balega Enduro Quarter Socks are a step above the rest. Engineered specifically to keep feet cool and dry, the Enduros are made with reinforced microfiber mesh ventilation panels, proprietary Drynamix moisture-wicking fibers and abrasion-reducing, hand-linked seamless toes. Extra-deep heel pockets and the V-Tech Arch Support System contribute to a hard-to-beat fit, while a non-constricting compression sock band prevents frustrating slippage. "It encapsulates the foot as though it's being massaged, caressed, and very nicely cushioned," says one reviewer, adding, "Make you smile with [the] first stride."

The Craft ADV Lumen Fleece Hybrid Gloves are perfect for the winter runner. A hard-to-miss reflective print on the outside of the mitten layer (which handily folds over the fingered gloves for extra warmth) help make you more visible on the roads. A nifty compartment in the palm of these convertible running gloves is perfect for stashing a key when you want to maintain easy access. One customer reviewer raved, "I love that if my hands start getting warm I can pull the mitten back and tuck it into the pocket on the back. Craft also did a great job with all the reflective portions of the glove. I try and start my run at 5:30 am and the sun is barely rising by the time I finish at 6:30 am." Early birds, rejoice.

Once a runner graduates from steady mileage to speedy sessions, they very well may want a handsfree device that lets them track their stats while listening to music. Pro tip: Snag them the Forerunner 165 Music, one of many options in Garmin's legacy line of GPS watches. Not only does the 165 Music monitor training data like distance, pace, intervals, heart rate and VO2 max, but it also stores and plays songs you download directly to the watch (and you can sync a playlist from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer). It boasts other conveniences, too: There are safety tracking features that allow runners to share their location with emergency contacts, and with Garmin Pay™ contactless payments, they can grab a mid-long-run snack without a card or cash on hand.