23 Gifts for Runners That Go the Extra Mile
These picks are a guaranteed endorphin boost.
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
If you’re holiday shopping for a loved one who pounds the pavement, a thoughtful present could really get their heart rate going. The best gifts for runners can make the miles fly by.
Unsure where to start your shopping? We’ve rounded up the best running gifts out there (including leggings, hydration packs, massage guns, fitness trackers, and other essentials from Lululemon, Hoka, Garmin, and more). Whether your friend or family member aims to complete their first 5K or hit a new PR in their 50th marathon, you’ll find plenty of great options to choose from.
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Therabody
Theragun Elite
With its long battery life, wide range of intensities, and numerous attachments, the Theragun Elite will be a welcome treat for achy legs and feet. One SELF reviewer swears by this percussive massage tool for quickly easing her sore muscles. We can hear your giftee’s sigh of relief already.
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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II
The fear of losing your earbuds during a long, sweaty run is real. We love this noise-canceling Bose pair because its customizable ear tips and stability bands help your favorite runner truly lock in.“They’re small and discreet so other people can’t see that I’m wearing them,” Melissa Matthews, a New York City runner, tells SELF.
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Hoka Clifton 9
According to our testers, this sneaker is wonderfully cushy and super supportive, a combo that makes it a podiatrist top pick for keeping plantar fasciitis pain at bay. “As someone who has recently started dealing with plantar fasciitis, I’ve tried a lot of sneakers that claim to be comfortable and supportive,” one SELF editor says about the Cliftons. “These shoes don’t hurt my feet at all, get me through long walking days in New York City, and are also weirdly cute.”
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Nutribullet Personal Blender
Your friend will be able to fuel up for long runs with smoothies and shakes made with this easy-to-use blender that’s great for whipping up single servings. Twist the top right off the blender base, flip it upside down, and use it as a cup—just add the (included!) sip-friendly lid to enjoy on the go.
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WalkingPad R2 Walk&Run Foldable Treadmill
This treadmill—one of our favorite pieces of compact exercise equipment—is a fantastic gift for runners who dream of kitting out a home gym but have space limitations. It goes up to 7.5 miles per hour so they can hit a brisk running speed, or they could fold down the handlebar to use it as a walking pad with a standing desk during work hours.
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SPIbelt Original Pocket Running Belt
If your gift recipient is sick of their fanny pack repeatedly thwacking their pelvis during runs, they’ll likely appreciate the narrow design of this belt. Running coach Elizabeth Corkum describes it as “the perfect solution to carrying my gels, keys, and phone.”
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Apple AirPods Max
For runners who love the immersive sound and feel of over-ear headphones, you can’t go wrong with the Apple AirPods Max. A SELF-adored wellness gift, these headphones come in 10 colors to match up with your giftee’s go-to sneakers.
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Goodr OG Sunglasses
Sunrise runs are good fun…until the bright rays blare into your eyes and you can’t see two steps in front of you. These candy-colored shades are polarized to reduce glare, and New York–based runner Amanda Kernaham tells SELF that they “stay put and don’t fog up.”
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TriggerPoint Massage Roller
This SELF Home Fitness Award–winning foam roller can be used pre- and post-run to ease muscle soreness and loosen up tight IT bands, glutes, and calves. It might be just what your loved one needs to boost their recovery and hit a new PR.
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Hyperice
Normatec Go
This compression massager is a hands-free (and portable!) way to loosen up calf kinks and chill TF out between runs. “It just feels incredible,” Emily Higgins, a runner from Charlotte, North Carolina, tells SELF. “I personally keep it under my desk and use it while I work or after a hard run.”
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Body Glide Original Anti Chafe Balm
Sometimes a long run can just rub you the wrong way—literally. This balm can make a huge difference for runners who experience redness and irritation between their thighs, under shifting backpack straps, or anywhere else frictiony fabric makes them feel the burn. Cara Murchie, a Utah-based runner and writer, says chafing cream is an “excellent gift” for preventing unwanted soreness.
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NordicTrack Commercial 1750
A gym-grade treadmill is an investment, which means it basically guarantees an excited scream from your gift recipient. This NordicTrack pick is well worth the big price tag; it’s our favorite treadmill for runners thanks to details like its cushioned belt, user-friendly tech, and quick incline (and decline!) adjustments.
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Columbia Sportswear Tidal Stretch Softshell Hooded Jacket
No one wants to run in a marshmallow-like puffer coat, but no one wants to freeze during cold-weather jogs either. Enter: this SELF Activewear Award-winning fleece jacket. Our tester loved how soft, snug, warm, and comfy it felt, reporting that it also stayed totally dry when she was caught in the rain.
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On Running Cloudswift 3 Running Shoe
You can use the Cloudswift 3 (our fave overall On Cloud sneaker) on the track or treadmill, but its cushy insoles were designed for running on hard concrete. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for a loved one who runs outdoors in city settings.
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Lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight
Lululemon said “no thanks” to inner-thigh seams on these leggings. The result? Smooth lines for runners who are fed up with friction. The five-pocket design is a huge plus too, providing built-in room for your phone and other small essentials.
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Garmin Forerunner 165 Running Watch
This wearable fitness tracker is specifically designed for runners. It has built-in GPS to track their distance, pace, and intervals—and that’s just the start. “I love that you can program speed workouts via the Garmin Connect app, and then send them to your phone so that you don’t have to memorize intervals,” Colorado-based runner Erika Barnes tells SELF. “Another favorite feature is the race predictor, which gives me a snapshot of my marathon training progress relative to my goals.”
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New Balance Sport Essentials Short
Cute, comfy activewear is just irresistible; we don’t make the rules. These woven shorts have an elastic waistband and small slits at the sides that make it easy to move freely.
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Lululemon Fast and Free Fleece Running Ear Warmer
A thoughtful gift for wintertime, this fleece-lined running headband can help protect sensitive ears from frosty temps. It also has reflective details for added visibility during nighttime outings, plus a ponytail opening to help keep your giftee’s hair in place and out of their face.
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NathanQuickStart 2.0 Hydration Pack with Bladder
“Running with a hydration pack has been a game changer for my marathon training,” Maria Solis Belizaire, a runner in New York City and founder of Latinos Run, tells SELF. “[This pack] holds my phone, water, and keys easily, and is so comfortable I forget I’m even wearing it on my long runs.”
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Renpho Foot Massager Machine
This top-tier wellness gift will be pure bliss for runners with tender feet. It offers kneading, compression, and heat—all at once—for 15- to 30-minute sessions of relaxation. It’s an easy choice for after a workout (or whenever you damn well please).
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Bowflex Max Trainer M6
Ellipticals offer a low-impact training option for runners who want to give their knees a break without compromising on cardio and strength training. The Max Trainer M6’s compact size and impressive 16 levels of resistance landed it a spot on our list of best ellipticals. Now it can help land you the title of Best Gift Giver this year.
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Saloman Ultra Glide 2
This SELF Sneaker Award winner is a worthy gift-list item for trail runners who need a shoe that can go the distance. The Quicklace system—a tiny string and buckle you press and slide to adjust—won’t come undone like regular laces, and our testers couldn’t stop raving about the overall comfort of the shoe after several multiple-mile runs.
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SheFit Ultimate Sports Bra
We don’t have to tell you how good this sports bra is; it was the Reader’s Choice pick in this year’s SELF Activewear Awards. Fans love how its adjustable fit actually supports large busts. No more doubling up on sports bras during runs and other athletic activities.
Suzy Forman is a writer specializing in health, wellness, fashion, and beauty. Her editorial work has appeared in A360 Media brands such as Us Weekly, Woman’s World, and In Touch Weekly. She has also worked for Warner Bros. as a localization specialist and for Common Mode Inc. as an audiobook… Read more
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.