Best Running Gifts for All Budgets
Photos by Marques Jackson Photography.
By Marnie Kunz,
NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect running gifts, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to send your best running buddy a small present or you’d like to treat yourself to a new running watch that can program your speed workouts, we’ve got you covered. To find the best gifts, members of the Runstreet team tried and tested all of these brands, so we were able to weed out the good from the bad and the hell yeah from the humdrum. Here are the best gift ideas we came up with, including our top recommendations for every budget.
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Our Top Picks for Running Gifts
Running is a pretty straightforward activity, so you may not think there would be a lot of gift options for runners, but you’d be surprised at all the choices. There are endless gear options, from running shoes to running belts, running socks, headphones, moisture-wicking running clothing, and home fitness equipment for cross-training. We’ll keep things simple for you by breaking down our gift guides into categories based on your budget.
Budget-Friendly Running Gifts
Running Socks
Running socks are a practical and usually much-needed gift for runners. With a sport that is measured in miles traveled by foot, you can bet that runners always need comfortable, moisture-wicking socks.
After testing many running socks, we recommend Feetures for moisture-wicking performance socks that come in a variety of styles and length options. The Feetures socks are super comfortable, moisture-wicking, and don’t slide around in your running shoes.
Feetures Unisex Adult High-Performance Cushion Quarter Socks are my favorite for a mid-rise sock that keeps my ankles covered but isn’t too heavy on warmer days.
Another popular running sock brand is Balega. These performance running socks are a bestseller on Amazon and have thousands of five-star reviews.
Balega No-Show Unisex Running Socks are lightweight, moisture-wicking running socks that fit all genders. These no-show socks are perfect for warm-weather running.
Related Post: 20 Tips for Running in Heat and Humidity
Running Belts
A good running belt can store nutrition such as running gels and gus on the go. Whether your giftee is a marathon runner or a 5K enthusast, a versatile running belt is a practical and budget-friendly gift that allows them to carry goodies and essentials such as keys and ID on the run. Our top pick for running belts is the Fitletic Ultimate 2 Running Belt for the best all-around belt at an affordable price.
Related Post: Best Winter Running Gear
• 100% recycled polyester moisture-management performance fabric
• Embroidered Runstreet logo on the front and back of the hat
• Moisture-wicking running hat with an adjustable back closure to fit all sizes.
• Structured, six-panel, mid-profile
• Black snapback closure with a woven adidas label
• Pre-curved visor
• Moisture-management sweatband
• Embroidered adidas logo on the left-side panel
• UPF 50+ protection
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Running Hats
Running hats are a runner’s best friend in all types of weather. For hot weather, running hats provide face shade and sun protection while running. Hats are also useful for protection from the rain.
Our top pick for a baseball-style, all-weather running hat is our Runstreet Performance Hat. As a hat loving runner, I tried and tested many hats and found adidas to be my favorite brand for running performance hats. The Runstreet Performance Hat is an adidas athletic hat that offers excellent lightweight, moisture-wicking performance with the bonus of uniquely Runstreet style. Join the Wolf Pack in style with our signature running hat!
Our second choice for the best running hat is the Adidas Superlite 2 Relaxed Adjustable Performance Hat. The lightweight, moisture-wicking cap is unisex and adjustable, making it easy to fit just about every runner. The lightweight material is perfect for staying cool during hot runs.
A running beanie is essential to keep your head warm if you're running in the cold. For winter running, we recommend the MERIWOOL Unisex Merino Wool Cuff Beanie, which is made with merino wool, a naturally warm and moisture-wicking material that’s perfect for winter running.
Running Books
If you know a runner who loved to read, check out our post on the Best Running Books. Some excellent running book options we recommend include:
Run Fast Eat Slow by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky is packed with healthy and tasty recipes for runners. It's the perfect time of year to learn new recipes, and this bestelling cookbook is a great resource for all runners. Buy on Amazon or from Bookshop.
The Rise of the Ultra Runners by Adharanand Finn is a fascinating book about trail runners arouond the world conquering epic race distances. This new running book was one of our top picks of the year. It offers endless running inspiration and an inside look at ultra running from a wide range of runners. Buy on Amazon or from Bookshop.
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Running Gloves
Running gloves are the perfect gift item for runners. New Balance Lightweight Touchscreen Warm Running Gloves are our top pick for lightweight winter running gloves. These gloves have NB Dry and NB Heat technologies in the fabric to wick sweat away from your skin and keep you warm and dry on winter runs. These running gloves are also budget-friendly if you’re looking for stocking stuffer running gifts.
The caveat is these gloves are lightweight, so they’re not made for extreme cold. For deep cold temperatures below about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, I would recommend a more heavily insulated pair of running gloves or layering these with another pair of running gloves.
For the colder months, try MOREOK Winter Gloves, which include multiple layers of 3M's 40g super-efficient Thinsulate insulation for maximum warmth.
Resistance Bands
Resistance bands should be in every runner’s toolbox as they are a great choice for strength training, physical therapy, and injury prevention. Resistance bands also make for budget-friendly running gifts, and they’re easy to store, with a light space requirement.
Our top pick is Fit Simplify Resistance Bands, which are my go-to resistance bands for myself and the people I train. These bestselling bands are inexpensive and versatile, with five different resistance loops for varying strength levels. Beginners can start with the extra-light green band and gradually build up to the highest resistance level, the black band.
Related Post: 10 Best Gifts for Runners
Mid-Level Running Gifts
If your budget is mid-level, up to $100, here are the best running gift options:
Running Clothes
Running clothing is a huge category that includes lots of running necessities - leggings, base layers, shirts, and more.
One of the bestselling long-sleeved running shirts on Amazon is the Under Armour Men’s Tech 2.0 Shirt. The versatile shirt is moisture-wicking and great for cool weather days or as a base layer under a running jacket for colder temperatures.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton
• Heather Prism Lilac & Heather Prism Natural are 99% combed and ring-spun cotton, 1% polyester
• Athletic Heather is 90% combed and ring-spun cotton, 10% polyester
• Other Heather colors are 52% combed and ring-spun cotton, 48% polyester
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz/y² (142 g/m²)
• Relaxed fit
• Pre-shrunk fabric
• Side-seamed construction
• Crew neck
• Blank product sourced from Nicaragua, Honduras, or the US
This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you (up to 2 weeks). Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!
Running Shoes
Running shoes are another big category, and they can range in price from $50 up to $250, depending on the brand and model. If you’re looking for the best running gifts and your favorite runner needs shoes, you may want to opt for a gift card to their favorite running store.
If you decide to buy running shoes as a gift, ask your runner for their preferred running shoe brand name, size, model, and color preferences. Newer running shoe models will cost more, while last season’s color options are more likely to be on sale.
Here are some budget-friendly running those for under $100 that are highly rated:
When buying running shoes online, it’s usually best to try them on in a store first or shop for a model that you already wear so you know it fits well.
Related Post: Best Affordable Running Shoes
Home Gym Accessories
Home gym accessories such as mats and dumbbells are a great gift for runners. I’ve stocked most of my home gym from ProsourceFit.
I highly recommend ProSourceFit’s puzzle mats (which are also a bestseller on Amazon). The puzzle mats allow you to customize your workout space with interlocking, cushioned mats. You can choose from a variety of colors and thicknesses to suit your preferences and home gym space. These mats are so versatile and comfortable that my dog even likes to claim them for extra bed space.
Big Ticket Running Gifts
I love my Garmin Forerunner 55 running watch.
If you don’t mind spending some serious moolah for your running partner, spouse, or yourself, this section is for you. Why not invest in a high-quality running gift that your person will be able to use for many miles and seasons to come? Or if you’re shopping for yourself, you want to make sure you’re getting the best quality running gift if you’re putting down serious cash for the item.
Here are our top picks for high-end running gifts:
Running Watches
GPS Watches are a game-changer for helping runners track and improve their workouts and running speeds. They can range from $50 to over $300. I’ve always had great experiences with Garmin running watches, and I highly recommend my Garmin Forerunner 55 as an excellent mid-level running watch that includes the option to add customized Garmin workouts, which I wrote about here.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a mid-priced running watch that has all the vital features for beginning to intermediate runners without the higher price tag of more advanced watches.
Related Posts: Garmin Forerunner 55 Watch Review, How to Find the Best Running Watch
Running Jackets and Coats
Running jackets and coats can range from $100 and up for the best quality, but they’re worth it. A good running jacket will keep you or your loved one warm for years of winter running. I love the Nike Therma-FIT running jacket for winter running as it’s warm, stylish, and functional.
Gym Equipment
Home gym equipment can also be a big-ticket item if you are getting a barbell system, weight set, or weight machine. I got my ProSourceFit barbell and weight plates during the pandemic and have found them to be high quality and worth the investment.
Step up your fitness game with a customized running program designed by professional running coach and personal trainer Marnie Kunz. Whether you need a plan to conquer your first 5K race, shed quarantine weight with a running program, or crush your next half marathon, this customized running training plan will have the blueprint you need to smash your running goals. This 10-week running program will meet you where you are with your current fitness level and push you to higher levels of running. Marnie Kunz is an RRCA- and USATF-certified running coach and NASM-certified personal trainer based in New York City.
With our customized running training plan, you have access to all the training principles used by professional runners in a plan just for you. Your intake questionnaire allows Coach Marnie to assess where you are at with your current running and fitness level and create a map to get you to crush your running goals.
Your personalized running training plan includes:
An intake questionnaire that allows you to share your goals, current training level, and any concerns you may have. 😊
A customized 10-week PDF training plan that includes all the running workouts you need to crush your next race. 👟
One-on-one email support. 👊
Social media support when you tag @Runstreet 👋
Check out what past clients have said about training with Marnie on our Testimonials page.
With ProsourceFit you always know you’re getting high-quality, professional fitness equipment and they have excellent customer service if you have any questions or concerns.
… And the Ultimate VIP Running Gift
And last but not least, of course, the best running gifts you can give the runner in your life are your love and support! Whether you show your love with gifts or not, don’t forget to offer encouraging words and support for their training goals. Show your appreciation for all the hard work your runner is doing running in the heat, cold, and elements.
You can even help your runner (or yourself) stay on track to crush their goals with a Runstreet customized training plan. A training plan will create the roadmap to get your runner to where they want to be with their running goals. With a personalized Runstreet training plan from a certified running coach and trainer, you get the workouts you need to train smart and hit higher levels of fitness and performance while reducing your risk of injuries.
Happy running to you and your loved ones!😊
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Marnie Kunz is a NASM-certified trainer and USATF- and RRCA-certified running coach, dog lover, Akita mom, and writer based in Brooklyn, NY. She is the founder of Runstreet.
