Runners can be a tough group to buy gifts for. Most are very particular about the shoes, shirts, and shorts they choose to don while stacking miles. But fear not! We’ve put together a gift-buying guide with test-proven items even the pickiest of runners will love.
The items below are ones the iRunFar team has thoroughly tested and highly recommends. They feature items that topped our guides in their respective gear categories and are worthy of the runner in your life. Be sure to check out all the different things as they represent a range of running-specific gear, from shoes to GPS watches. And check out our buying advice at the bottom.
Be sure to check out our other gift guides, too:
Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
The Hoka Clifton 9 is one of the best all-around running shoes available. It’s an everyday trainer with a plush ride that works on pavement, gravel, or hard-packed trails. Simply put, if the runner in your life is looking for a new all-around shoe that will work on a variety of runs and surfaces, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Clifton 9. We love this shoe for its soft cushion that’s responsive and firm enough to pick up the pace. Its versatility helps it work well for long runs, tempo runs, and everyday training runs.
Part of that versatility comes from its weight of less than nine ounces per shoe in a U.S. men’s size 9. That certainly doesn’t make it an extremely lightweight shoe, but does put it on the lighter side of the road running shoe spectrum. The stack height of 32 millimeters at the heel and 27 millimeters at the forefoot also makes for a cushioned ride without being overly cushioned. And that 5-millimeter heel-to-toe drop is ideal for most runners.
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Testing the Hoka Clifton 9 running shoes. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Perhaps your running loved one likes minimalist shoes. In that case, we recommend the Topo Athletic Cyclone 2. It’s also a shoe that is excellent for speed workouts or races, weighing just under seven ounces. We also found this shoe to be incredibly responsive thanks to Topo’s Pebax foam in the midsole as well as the shoe’s rocker shape, which helps propel runners forward.
The upper section of the shoe is super comfortable, soft, and breathable, which we liked quite a bit. Be sure to take the time to dial in the fit of these shoes as the upper around the heels can be a bit loose depending on your foot shape. But with a little extra time tightening the laces and tying the shoes tightly, we didn’t have any trouble locking in our heels in for dozens of fun and surprisingly effortless miles in these shoes.
Also, check out our guide to the best road running shoes.
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Testing the Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 running shoes. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
The Nike Pegasus 41 is a classic — and for good reason. It is an excellent neutral and moderately cushioned running shoe that works for many people. We found this shoe requires a bit more break-in time than the Hoka Clifton 9 and Topo Cyclone 2 discussed above, but once they are broken in, they continue to feel and perform better and better.
One of the things we love most about this shoe is that despite being a road running shoe, the outsole grips better than most road running shoes on gravel and dirt, and even unexpected snow and mud, as found out by one of our Colorado-based testers.
Nothing about this shoe will blow your mind. But this is a very safe bet of a gift as it’s just a solid, everyday trainer that is consistently good. Plus, at $130, it’s one of the more affordable and practical running shoes currently available.
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The Nike Pegasus 41 shoes are some of the most versatile and comfortable running shoes we’ve tested. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Any distance runner knows the importance of proper hydration. Gainful allows runners to create customized hydration packs for their individual needs. In a sea of hydration powders and mixes, we like Gainful’s products for a few reasons. The first is the low amount of sugar. At less than 2 grams of sugar per serving, it’s one of the lowest levels available for endurance athletes. We also like how natural the powders are. Gainful leaves out artificial sweeteners and flavors, GMOS, dyes, and preservatives. The blend of four key electrolytes comes in caffeinated and non-caffeinated options.
The Customized Hydration Packets come in three different flavors — Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Mango, and Lemon Lime. It also comes with or without caffeine, and users can pick their sweetness level — moderate or high.
The placement of this product has been sponsored by Gainful.
Shop the Gainful Nutrition Library
Yeah, we get it; runners can be very particular and demanding about their gear. And running shorts might be the piece of gear most runners are picky about. But the men’s Patagonia Strider Pro Running Shorts 5″ are some of the best all-around shorts for most runners. Let’s start with one of the most basic — and sometimes divisive — points: the length of shorts. With a five-inch inseam, the Strider Pro shorts hit a nice balance where they won’t be too long for the three-inch split shorty shorts lovers. Likewise, they shouldn’t be too short for those trying to graduate from basketball shorts.
The inner liner is comfy, breathable, and good at wicking sweat. The lightweight outer fabric is quick-drying and features a DWR coating that helps shed light moisture. The Strider Pro shorts feature an anti-odor treatment, meaning you can wear these shorts a few times between washes. All of this, and because it’s Patagonia, you know you’re getting a pair of running shorts with recycled materials that were constructed with the planet in mind. These were some of the best men’s running shorts we tested this year.
Shop the Men’s Patagonia Strider Pro Running Shorts 5’’
The Patagonia Strider Pro shorts have been our favorite pair of men’s running shorts for many years. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
The women’s Ciele Athletics W DLYShort Long Brief running shorts have two features that are absolutely clutch in a pair of running shorts, according to our tester who put hundreds of miles on these shorts training for the Western States 100: they’re lightweight and breathable. That’s thanks to some proprietary lightweight, woven recycled fabric that our tester took in some mid-run alpine lake dips with no chafing or heaviness issues. These shorts, which have a five-inch inseam, rest above the hips but below the belly button and have a soft waistband.
The inner liner is comfortable and not restrictive. A zippered outer and internal pockets help you carry small items like a car key or gel packet. These are some of the best women’s shorts we’ve tested and hit the right balance of having plenty of coverage with the ability to move with your full range of motion instead of restricting it. Like the men’s Patagonia Strider Pro shorts above, these were some of the best women’s shorts tested this year.
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Testing the Ciele W DLY Short running shorts. Photo: iRunFar/Alli Hartz
Our testers call the men’s Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee and women’s version the “perfect chameleon of running shirts.” That’s primarily a nod toward the Polartec Delta fabric, first used a few years ago in an Outdoor Research running shirt. The fabric provides outstanding breathability and comfort across a wide range of temperatures. On hot days, we found it to wick moisture well, not cling, and stay surprisingly cool. On cooler days, it was an excellent base layer, again, thanks to its superb ability to wick away moisture and not cling. And on those perfect temperature days, it remained, well, perfect.
Again, that’s thanks to the shirt’s construction, which checks all the boxes in a running shirt. Hydrophilic fibers on the inside of the shirt pull sweat away from the body, and hydrophobic fibers on the shirt’s outer collect and dissipate the moisture. Proprietary anti-chafe and antimicrobial odor control technology helps boost comfort while masking stink. And the shirt is sustainably made with recycled and bluesign-approved materials. It’s among our favorite men’s running shirts and women’s running shirts.
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Testing the Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
We have loved REI Co-op’s house-brand running gear for many years, and the Swiftland series is one of the best they offer. The Swiftland Thermal Running Half-Zip Pullover has quickly become a favorite of ours for brisk early-morning autumn runs. Why? Its versatility. We love versatility in running gear. As runners, we often train in all sorts of weather and conditions. So it makes sense to utilize products that perform well in varying conditions. REI Co-op designed this pullover as a versatile mid- or outer-layer, but we also found it comfy enough to serve as a thick base layer. The versatility stems from the shirt’s materials, which include a mainly polyester grid-back fleece and a ripstop nylon top layer treated with a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR). REI strategically places the breathable and moisture-wicking polyester in high-sweat spots, like the back, and the weather-resistant ripstop nylon on the chest, where runners tend to take on the most moisture when it’s precipitating.
The other reason we’ve become increasingly interested in REI Co-op products is the brand’s continued push to create high-quality gear that is light on the planet yet remains affordable. This pullover employs LanzaTech yarn, which is a carbon-capture technology. LanzaTech — a biochemistry company — captures emissions from industrial sites, converts them into ethanol, and converts them into polyester and other new materials.
The placement of this product has been sponsored by REI. That said, the iRunFar team has been and continues to test it and believes it is a very solid product.
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Testing the REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Half-Zip Pullover. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
Much like the Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee above, the Women’s Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is ultralight, extremely breathable, excellent at wicking moisture, and what we turn to on the hottest days. This has been one of our long-run shirts throughout the summer (the shirt we save for long-run days) because we know it will stay light as it collects and wicks sweat and will remain comfortable for runs stretching two to three hours long.
The shirt’s double-knit, fully recycled polyester creates that comfort. Some proprietary plant seed-based fabric softener boosts wicking speeds and improves long-term softness. More proprietary odor control keeps the stink away. And it’s built with recycled and bluesign-approved materials and is Fair Trade Sewn certified. All of this, and it is quite a bit more affordable than the Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee above. We named this one of our best women’s running shirts.
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Testing the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt. Photo: iRunFar/Abby Levene
After months of testing, our testers believe that the Salomon Adv Skin 5 unisex running vest and Salomon Adv Skin 5 women’s running vest have earned their place at the top of the best low-volume pack pile. (And, yes, there are a lot of low-volume hydration vests and packs.) This vest simply checks all the boxes. It sits high on the torso, which we like. It comes with two 500-milliliter soft flasks that sit balanced on both sides of your chest. And there are plenty of pockets and storage space, allowing you to carry up to five liters of gear. There is also another internal reservoir sleeve capable of holding a 1.5-liter bladder, which does not come with the vest.
The vest is secured to the body with an elastic sternum strap with multiple attachment points, making it easy to dial and personalize the fit. More than six pockets allow you to get creative with what you take and how you carry it on your runs — all this, and the pack weighs just about half a pound. That’s why we named this our favorite low-volume hydration pack this year.
To learn more, read our in-depth Salomon Adv Skin 5 review.
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Testing the Salomon Adv Skin 5 unisex running vest. Photo: iRunFar/Kristin Zosel
The Polar H10 heart rate sensor is an easy-to-use and reliable monitor that is a favorite among many. And, at under $100, it’s one of the more affordable options available, making it a more accessible gift for the runner in your life. We found the ECG monitor to be very accurate and the entire unit to be slim and comfortable. The included strap was among the most comfortable tested in our best heart rate monitors guide. The material is stretchy and soft and didn’t chafe or dig in throughout our testing.
Beyond comfort, we also love the tech features of this heart rate monitor. It connects to devices using ANT+ or Bluetooth, which we found incredibly easy to pair with a GPS watch and smartphone. And while the monitor will store data to download later, the memory was less than some others we tested. Still, bang for your buck; we don’t think there’s a better heart rate monitor to purchase for the runner in your life.
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Testing the Polar H10 heart rate sensor. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
The North Face’s Women’s Aconcagua 3 Vest
is among the legendary brand’s most popular vests. This updated version is more planet-friendly than ever, which means a lot to us here at iRunFar. The vest now includes 100% recycled body fabric on the outer. It marries fully recycled 600-fill down with some synthetic insulation on the inside. We also love that it includes a 100% non-PFC DWR treatment for some planet-friendly weather resistance. It also features handwarmer pockets, making it a high-performing outerwear piece that’s also light on the planet.
Stylistically, we love that the vest comes in five different earthy tones and seven different sizes from XS to 3XL, so it’ll work for a wide variety of body types.
The placement of this product has been sponsored by The North Face.
Shop the The North Face Women’s Aconcagua 3 Vest
A near-perfect GPS watch got even better with the new Garmin fēnix 7X – Solar Edition. Yes, that is a lofty claim, but we stand by it. There are many reasons we love this GPS watch. Its above-average battery life, for one, going up to 73 hours in normal GPS mode. The construction of the watch is also incredibly durable as it features titanium, metal button guards, and reinforced lugs. We also love the mapping capabilities of the previous versions of this watch, and now it’s even better with those same top-shelf mapping capabilities paired with a new touchscreen which makes those great maps so much more accessible. Speaking of pairing, we also love this watch’s unique app connectivity. Example: It’s super easy to synchronize music and podcasts via the Spotify app.
The bottom line is that if you’re looking to splurge for the runner in your life and spend a good amount, we don’t see a better option than the Garmin fenix 7 – Solar Edition.
Be sure to read our full Garmin fēnix 7 – Solar Edition review.
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Testing the Garmin Fenix 7 – Solar Edition. Photo: iRunFar/Craig Randall
How to Choose a Gift for a Runner
Price
Price is always a good starting point when deciding on a gift for the runner in your life. We tried to provide a range of price options in this guide, from the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt ($49) to the Garmin fēnix 7X – Solar Edition ($800). But you’ll probably notice most items on this list fall in the $75 to $150 range, which is pretty typical these days for a solid piece of running gear. Spend what your budget allows, and know you’ll be getting the runner in your life an excellent — and useful — gift, no matter if you’re spending at the bottom or top of the range.
Function
We recommended the products above because they all function excellently. Whether it’s the Hoka Clifton 9 running shoes, some of the most functional and best everyday running shoes available, or the Salomon Adv Skin 5 unisex running vest, which is a great everyday running vest, we’ve put all of these products to the test, ensuring their functionality and capability.
Practicality
Ok, sure, gifts aren’t necessarily supposed to be practical. But with running gear, you do want it to be at least useful and practical. The Polar H10 heart rate sensor, for example, is a highly practical piece of gear that the runner in your life perhaps didn’t realize they could benefit from. The same goes with the Salomon Adv Skin 5 unisex running vest, one of the best running hydration vests we’ve tested.
Why Trust iRunFar
At iRunFar, we’re runners. We collectively log tens of thousands of miles each year, testing all sorts of gear along the way. We see and try a ton of gear and know what is good and what is not. The items we recommend are very good, and we’d consider purchasing them for our family and friends interested in running.
iRunFar has dozens of testers that test hundreds of running products each year. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi
