A Gift Guide for Runners: Stuff They’ll Absolutely Love to Get
Since it’s officially summer the amount of people going out to parks, beaches, and trails to run has increased exponentially now that it’s no longer cold and snowy out. Of course we have to shout out our year-round runners but if you’re someone that prefers to run in the sun then now is your time to shine…literally.
Runners get a lot of joy out of running, you’ve probably heard of a “runner’s high” before and may have even experienced it yourself. It’s best described as a “rush of euphoria, optimism, and increased confidence,” it can hit at any moment in the run but most have said it’ll come when everything lines up; when nothing hurts, your breathing is right, the environment around you is optimal, and you feel like you can run forever.
That feeling amongst many others is part of the reason why people run, and that’s not even including the health benefits. Running is proven to strengthen your bones and muscles overtime, improves your sleep, mental health, it can boost your immune system, and helps your cardiovascular system.
What we’re here to do today besides talk about what makes running special is to create a gift guide for runners, and we’re not just throwing a bunch of stuff together and calling it a day- no we’ve found gifts that will be a huge benefit to any runner no matter where they’re starting out in their journey. So let’s lace up our shoes, start our timer, and get started.
Tech Products That Can Help Your Run ⌚
Technology has improved so much over the last two decades, we’ve seen how far we’ve come in such a short time and that includes wearable technology. These products can help track your runs so you can see how well you did and how much your improve over time:
Track your steps the fun way. Image courtesy of: Apple.
We gotta start off our tech section with quite possibly the most popular piece of wearable tech on the market right now: the Apple watch, specifically the Apple Watch Series 10 starting at $399. It’s their thinnest, most sleek and comfortable series yet. Coming in 46mm or 42mm aluminum or titanium case size, this watch is water resistant, swim proof up to 50 meters, and has up to 18 hours of battery use or 36 on low-power mode.
But we gotta talk about what it can do for your running ventures.
The Series 10 Watch comes with the ECG app which tracks high and low heart rate, irregular rhythms, and low cardio fitness. It has an emergency SOS which also detects crashes or falls should you be out in the middle of nowhere on your run and need help. It can track your pacing, how many steps you’ve taken, and how far you’ve gone on your route. Great to pair with your iPhone if you have one.
Track your steps…the non-Apple way. Image courtesy of: Best Buy.
Not everyone is a fan of Apple products, and not everyone has the iPhone to pair with their Apple Watch so we had to find an alternative that's just as good for what you need it for and we think we did with the Samsung - Galaxy Watch7 Aluminum Smartwatch 44mm BT on sale at Best buy for $249.99 (normally priced at $329.99). Here’s everything, according to the item specs online, this watch tracks:
Blood oxygen, Cadence, Calories burned, Distance swam, Distance traveled, Duration of exercise, Duration of sleep stages, Electrocardiography (ECG), Hours slept, Laps swam, Pace, Resting heart rate, Skin temperature, Stairs climbed, and Steps taken.
The Watch7 will make for the perfect running companion and if you have a Samsung phone you can also utilize its many other features that pair with the phone as well.
Don’t like a bulky watch? No problem! Image courtesy of: Oura.
Some people find wearing a watch while they run to be uncomfortable, it can be an annoying sensory thing which can put a detriment on the “wanting to have a piece of wearable tech while you run to more accurately get the results you want.” Luckily Oura, the company famous for their Oura Rings have made the solution. A relatively new company, Oura has set out to be the first people to really break down Smart “Ring” technology and they seem to have succeeded.
With millions of customers, you too can get rid of the watch and slip on the ring for not just your runs but for the whole day. Their Oura Ring 4 is the latest in their line of rings and starts at $349. It comes in six different colors and is able to track your sleep, activities that involve movement, stress levels, and heart health. It has a battery life for up to 8 days so you can wear it for a week and charge it on an off day. Works with both IOS and Android devices.
Keep yourself motivated with tunes as you run. Image courtesy of: Shokz.
Before we had wireless headphones, we had wires whipping around our faces as we ran, now we have thousands of bluetooth headphones available for runners to utilize as they lockin for their mini-marathons. But what is the “best” headphone for running? Well that’s gotta be Shokz’ OpenRun Pro 2 for $179.95. This award-winning product has revolutionized the fitness headphone, with thousands of people complimenting them online you’ll find you can’t run without them as soon as you try it out for the first time.
The headphone itself offers an open-ear design which means you can listen to your music and still be aware of the environment around you keeping you safe and alert. It’s also built to stay secure on your head so there’s no slipping or having them fall off your head as you increase your pace. It has up to 12 hours of battery life and only takes 3 to charge fully.
Can’t Run Without Proper Shoes 👟
Of course a runner’s outfit is just as important as having the right playlist or podcast to listen to. And we couldn’t make a gift guide for runners without including a few options for both shoes and clothing items.
Gotta find the best for shoes you’ll be going the distance in. Image courtesy of: adidas.
Obviously choosing the “best” running shoes is subjective, there are so many factors that go into qualifying what makes a good running shoe; there’s the weight, traction, cushioning, durability, shock absorption, and overall feel. We’ve taken a look at a lot of running blogs and people’s testimonies on what running shoe should be crowned the best and it seems that the adidas Adizero EVO SL Shoes will be the ones to sit on the throne.
The adidas Adizero EVO SL Shoes retail for $150 and have sizes 6.5 to 16. It also comes in six different colors.
The foam that’s used in these shoes is the same that’s used in their marathon shoes which means you’re getting great feedback as you run. It’s lightweight and springy which is great for longer runs. Some think the fit can be a little off but you’ll just have to try them out for yourself to really know how you respond to them.
Beat the hot weather and bring along some snacks on the way. Image courtesy of: Brooks.
Just like finding the ultimate running shoes can be tricky, the same goes for the clothing, or more specifically: running shorts. Brooks has been a company that has made reliable running gear for years now and these High Point 5” 2-in-1 Short 2.0 currently on sale for $55.90 (normally priced at $86.00) are ones that have been raved about since they’ve come out.
What makes them special is their built-in compression liners which help stave off chafing and keep everything tight and compact for your run. They also have ample pocket space which is great for those who like to keep protein bars, an extra pair of headphones, ice-packs, and any other necessities you may need on your run. They are a hot item so make sure to check to see if they are available before you buy. These shorts come in sizes XS to XXL and although they are advertised as “men’s” anyone can wear them.
You’ll never be the same after you try out these socks. Image courtesy of: Feetures.
If you aren’t a runner you might not have heard of Feetures and that’s okay because we’re here to set you two up. Feetures makes arguably the best running socks in the world. Their socks have won awards and have been mentioned by runners as their “go-to” for any kind of run. They have an invisible, tab (which is featured above), quarter, mini-crew, crew, and knee sock for you to choose from. Their most popular choice is the tab which is what we have for you today. These are the Elite Ultra Light Tab 3 Pack for $51.30 thanks to bundle savings. The socks themselves are made with anatomical design, targeted compression, a blister tab, are moisture resistant, and have a mesh construction so you don’t get hot.
Gifts They Can Get On The Run 🎁
As much as we’re obsessed with all of the gifts we’ve found for our gift guide so far we’d be remiss to not mention a few gifts you can send them while they are actually doing what they love. Yup that’s right, we’re talking about sending them some virtual gift cards specifically tailored to running:
👟DSW: We did in fact recommend a couple shoes already, but there’s nothing like choice and with a DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) gift card, they will be able to pick out the exact make and model of running shoe they want from the brand they want.
🛡️Under Armour: Just like we can never get enough shoes, we also can never get enough running gear. Under Armour is a great place to “window shop” and leave with new leggings, shorts, and windbreakers.
💊The Vitamin Shoppe: When it comes to running, you might be looking for “vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other health essentials” to help you on your journey. Luckily with a gift card to The Vitamin Shoppe you can purchase a few items that may boost your morning runs.
🥐Panera: Panera’s are often seen on your runs if you’re near a city or town as there are locations all over the country. This is a great palace to pop in for a quick refresher or snack right before or when you’re done with your run. They’ve got a number of drunks and food items perfect for exactly what you need.
💸Visa: With a Visa gift card you’re able to use this at practically any store, there’s no limit, as long as the registrar accepts Visa cards then they can use this to buy what they need.
PerfectGift.com is all about finding, well, the perfect gift! With hundreds of popular eGift card brands available, you can personalize and send someone a gift in just a few minutes. Pick between multiple restaurants, famous retailers, online subscription services, and more for your first PerfectGift today.
Phew! We ourselves felt like we just ran with you. A gift guide for runners is never complete without a conclusion so we thought it best to say that any of these gifts would make them beat their last mile minute record by a landslide.
