Gift Guide for Runners

We put this buyer’s guide together to help you find the best gift for the runner in your life. Everything on this list comes from personal recommendations from runners in our RunBuzz community, and it gets refreshed so you are looking at gear people can actually buy right now. Your runner will be thrilled to add these to their favorite running gear.

“Please note: As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.”

Jump to a budget: Under $20 · $21 to $50 · $51 to $100 · Over $100

Our favorite running gifts under $20

Body Glide Original

This deodorant-stick looking anti-chafing balm is easy to apply to prevent irritation from fabric and skin rubbing before it hurts. Simply apply to any part of your body where your clothes rub, seams irritate, or skin rubs together.

They offer the original balm, a women’s formula, a version for feet, and a skin lotion. If you buy one thing on this list for a new runner, make it this. It is the cheapest way to prevent a run-ruining problem.

Honey Stinger organic energy chews

Gels are not for everyone, so try these fruit chews to fuel those long runs. Honey Stinger also sells gels and waffles, and their waffles are the single best-selling item in their category if your runner would rather have something to chew between miles.

We love this brand because it uses honey as its sugar source rather than high fructose corn syrup.

Feetures Elite Max Cushion socks

These comfortable socks have some compression built in but stay stretchy enough to be comfortable. The extra padding in the sole gives a little more cushion, and the blister-resistant, sweat-wicking fabric keeps feet dry and protected on every run. Multiple colors, and sizing is gender specific.

Socks feel like a boring gift right up until a runner tries good ones. Then they never go back.

Clip-on running light

Clip this little guy to a shoe, a shirt, or the back of a pair of shorts so your runner can be seen in the dark. Hold the button for a steady light, or tap it once to flash. It is small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, but do not underestimate it. These are bright.

Bondi Band headbands

For men and women alike, choose from a large variety of sweat-wicking headbands. These soft, wide bands are great for keeping hair out of your face and sweat out of your eyes, and they double as a lightweight ear warmer on those mid-temperature spring and fall runs.

A 26.2 car magnet

Because if you don’t display your distance PR on the back of your car, did it even happen?

Let everyone on the road and in the parking lot know how awesome your runner is and how far they can run. They make 13.1 versions too, along with just about every other distance.

Our favorite running gifts between $21 and $50

The original FlipBelt

This belt is bought based on waist and hip measurement and fits like compression gear, so it is not adjustable. You just slip it up over your hips.

With all the pockets and compartments, your runner can carry everything they need: phone, keys, cash, cards, and fuel. There is even a water bottle you can buy to slide into the back. Bonus: plenty of color options.

Nathan SpeedDraw Plus insulated handheld

Slide your hand into the jacket and slip your thumb through for a no-grip hold on the bottle. The zipper pocket on the front fits a phone, or without one it holds a few gels, keys, ID, and cash together.

It is insulated, though the heat from your hand still warms it up, so add ice on hot days. The lid does not leak and makes a great little mister when you want to cool your face off.

Nathan Peak hydration waist pack

If your runner would rather not carry anything in their hands, this is the answer. The belt is shaped to sit on the hips without bouncing, the flask pops in and out one-handed while running, and there is a pocket for a phone, money, and gels.

SweatX activewear laundry detergent

The nicest way to tell your runner they smell. Just kidding. Mostly.

This gets the inevitable stink out of workout clothes. Hang the tech fabric to dry afterward and it keeps its shape and its fit.

A budget massage gun

Percussion massage used to be a $400 purchase. It is not anymore, and this one is consistently among the best sellers in its category. For a runner with cranky calves or a stubborn IT band, it is a genuinely useful gift at this price.

If you want the deeper explanation of what percussion therapy actually does, we wrote about percussion massage therapy for runners.

Our favorite running gifts between $51 and $100

Noxgear Tracer2 reflective vest

An important safety issue with night running is being seen. The Tracer2 is a light-up reflective vest that makes your runner visible from every angle, not just from the front. There are multiple settings, from color-changing flashes to a solid color of your choice.

They also make harnesses and collars for your four-legged running buddy. Check out our detailed Noxgear review for the full rundown.

Night Runner 270 shoe lights

As seen on Shark Tank, these clip onto shoelaces so your runner can see the ground in the dark instead of wearing a headlamp. The rechargeable lights last up to 8 hours and the angle is adjustable.

OOFOS recovery slides

This moisture and odor resistant slide has the support your runner needs after a hard workout. Running shoes are built to propel you forward. These do the opposite, with similar shock absorption. The arch support is meant to take load off your back, knees, and ankles so recovery goes faster.

They come in slides and thong styles and just about every color you can imagine. Fair warning: most runners who try a pair end up wearing them everywhere.

Shokz OpenMove bone conduction headphones

Bone conduction sits outside the ear and sends sound through the cheekbone, so your runner keeps their ears open to traffic. For anyone running on roads, that is the safest way to listen to music, and the OpenMove is the affordable way into the category.

We compared the whole field in our guide to the best running headphones.

Our favorite running gifts over $100

Garmin Forerunner 165

This is the running watch we recommend to most runners. It does everything a runner actually needs: wrist heart rate, multi-band GPS, training readiness, daily suggested workouts, and around 11 days of battery, all on a bright AMOLED screen.

Not sure which watch fits? Our Running Watch Finder compares 17 current watches from Garmin, COROS, and Apple by price, features, and running style. If they are shopping Garmin specifically, we also cover which Garmin to buy.

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

The step up from the OpenMove, and one of the best-selling headphones on Amazon in any category. Dual drivers add real bass to bone conduction, which was always the knock against it, and the battery runs about 12 hours. If your runner has been curious about open-ear listening, this is the pair to get them.

An Amazon gift card

Still not sure what to get your runner? Pick up an Amazon gift card.

Runners are picky about shoes, fit, and flavors, and there is no shame in letting them choose. Multiple amounts are available, and you can print it at home or email it directly.

Still stuck?

If your runner already owns half this list, the gift they usually do not buy for themselves is coaching. Take a look at online run coaching and we can build a plan around whatever they are training for next.

Happy running, and happy shopping!