The Best Gifts for Runners | 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Featuring colorful earth tones and uber-grippy Vibram soles, these New Balance trail runners are for the giftee who loves to run (or hike) in the mountains. Designed with a super-cushy foam midsole, they help outdoor explorers tackle rooty, rocky terrain in the utmost comfort. Plus, their thick, aggressive underfoot lugs mean that your favorite jogger won’t have to stay home when it’s mucky and muddy out.

For the runner on your gift list who wants a little extra pep in their stride? Introduced in August 2024, the On Cloudsurfer Next is a road shoe designed for everyday training, but with a touch more inspiration. It's a “really fun, bouncy shoe,” says Emily Banks, North American brand communications senior specialist at On. “Think of it like the Cloudsurfer, one of our fan-favorite everyday runners, but with an extra shot of espresso to supercharge the run with speed and rebound.”

Over its eight years in the HOKA line-up, the Speedgoat has become a favorite on the peak-studded terrain of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc and covered countless miles on our favorite city park loops. It also knocked the (running) socks off of co-op staff, who crowned the Speedgoat 6 the Best Shoe for Beginner Trail Runners in 2024. This legacy trail-running shoe pairs the same maximum cushion silhouette and Vibram® Megagrip outsole runners know and love with a more responsive midsole at less weight. Sturdy, speedy and comfortable—the ambitious yet consistent runner in your life will rejoice.

Speed is relative. Yet whether a runner is training for a fast sub-ultra race or enjoying the views on a long run through the mountains, the Mafate Speed 2 from HOKA is top-tier accompaniment. Designed for rocky, uneven terrain, these shoes will do well for the ambitious trail runner, whether they're rolling uphill or downhill.

Read more: Best Road Running Shoes of 2025: Tested | Best Trail Running Shoes of 2025: Tested

Give the active gym or road runner on your list the gift of cloudlike comfort and stable strides with these Mach 6 shoes by HOKA. Ideal for those with medium to wide width feet, these sneakers were voted one of the Best Road-Running Shoes of 2025 by our expert gear testers. Lightweight jacquard uppers allow for maximum breathability on sticky, warm days, and the shoes come in a huge variety of colorways—like Antique Olive and Neon Lime—so your giftee can show off their signature style.

This hydration vest from Salomon is perfect for the runner on your list who loves to head out for long bouts in nature. REI Co-op Member testers loved this vest so much it won an Editors' Choice Award in 2025. Not only does it come equipped with two soft pouches to hold up to one liter of water, but it’s also compatible with a two-liter water bladder (not included), for lengthy days of crunching their sneakers along dirt trails. The women’s-specific model features a shorter back panel, adapted neck angle, and extra-stretchy chest straps for maximum comfort.

Weighing in at an ultralight 7 ounces, the On Ultra Hydration Vest is as practical as it is sleek. City dwellers will appreciate this hydration vest for its fashionable minimalism paired with ample storage space for phone, snacks, keys and an extra layer or two. The vest comes with two BPA-free 500ml HydraPak bottles, which sit in easily accessible chest pockets. One customer-reviewer remarked on how easy it is to adjust the vest, with its patent pending closure system and hem. They added, "I really appreciate all the different pockets [...]. I can carry everything that I need and it all feels secure when I am running." Some reviewers noted that the vest runs small, so if in doubt or between sizes, size up.

Even the runner who has it all will smile when they unwrap a pair of new socks. And the Balega Enduro Quarter Socks are a step above the rest, with a design that keeps them from sagging down the foot and helps avoid blisters on long, sweaty runs. "It encapsulates the foot as though it's being massaged, caressed, and very nicely cushioned," says one customer-reviewer, adding that they "make you smile with [the] first stride."

Let the music-obsessed runner on your list rock out for up to 12 hours with the Shokz OpenRun Pro2 Headphones, which handily blast clear mids and deep bass at the touch of a button. A slim, open-ear design allows joggers to be aware of their surroundings while they keep the grooves going, while carefully placed microphones and an AI-powered algorithm help keep calls and communications crystal clear, even when they’re on the move. Best of all? The headphones’ water-resistant design and hydrophobic coating help shed moisture if they get caught out in a drizzle. The Pro2 Mini is sized for runners with smaller heads or who may just prefer a closer fit.

Need fewer bells and whistles? Try the OpenRun and OpenRun Mini models, without the Pro2 features.

This sleek yet warm reflective running hoodie from PYNRS, also a Path Ahead Ventures brand, is a no-brainer gift for the runner in your life. It’s all the things that matter: Sweat-wicking, soft, stretchy and adjustable with zippered side panels. Thumbholes and a front pocket make it well-suited to winter chill, and unisex sizing and fit mean the layer can be easily shared between running buddies.

For the year-round runner who still seeks some comfort: The Active Fleece Wind Half Zip from Smartwool blends breathable merino wool, recycled polyester and stretchy elastane to create a snuggly, moisture-managing, move-with-you midlayer that’s perfect for getting after it when the temperatures drop. Subtle thumb loops are ready to deploy for an extra dose of cozy, and reflective hits on the logo and zippered front chest pocket enhance visibility on low- and no-light outings.

Running in inclement weather calls for a lot of protection for not-a-lot-of-weight. Patagonia's featherlight Houdini jacket packs into its own tiny chest pocket and is an excellent emergency backup for any run when the weather is questionable. Its weather-resistant ripstop nylon, adjustable hood and drawcord hem help block the elements while its slim fit and light profile won't distract your favorite runner, nor hold them back.

Read More: Cold-Weather Running Gear: The Perfect Kit

Made with a moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch performance knit material, the athletic fitting Performance Jogger Pants from Vuori (called the Ponto Performance Jogger Pants, for men) work hard when your favorite runner hits the trail or track. On the other hand, with one customer-reviewer calling the brushed DreamKnit™ fabric “the softest material you could ever want next to your skin” and another raving that they’re “the most comfortable pants I own,” these joggers perform just as well when it’s time for a little lounging.

A good running t-shirt is a year-round necessity. Whether your favorite runner is trudging away indoors on the treadmill, ripping fast 400s on the track, located in some enviably warm region or simply loves to feel the wind beneath their wings — they'll need the perfect technical tee. The REI Co-op Swiftland Running T-Shirt contains microventilated SwiftTex™, among our lightest technical fabrics, which will keep your favorite runner breezy and comfortable as the miles tick by.

More options: If you're looking for a cozier shirt for the chillier runner, try the Swiftland Long-Sleeve Running T-Shirt (women's and men's) or the rabbit EZ Long-Sleeve T-Shirt (women's and men's).

The sun on a blue-sky December day can be just as strong as at the height of summer. Thankfully, the goodr Circle G polarized sunglasses take the squint out of winter runs with their glare-reducing, 100% UV400 protection. The light yet stylish frame doesn't scream cardio, but it does stay in place thanks to a grippy, nonslip coating on the nose pads and temples. Plus, the relatively reasonable price means you can get a pair for any runner in your life.

The Corridor from respected sunglasses brand Oakley have everything a runner will need: UV protection, bounce-preventing nose pads with no-slip grips and a lightweight design. Plus, a vital addition of top-of-the-line lens technology makes these stylish frames worth the price. Their proprietary PRIZM lenses promise to enhance color and contrast so your pal doesn't miss any scenic details—or tripping-hazards—along their run.

Every runner on your list can use one of these. A Buff, whether sported as a headband, neck or ear warmer, hair tie or other accessory, is always useful. It's worth springing for the soft, odor-resistant, 100% merino wool version, which is extra plush, has odor-repelling properties and feels smooth to the skin. After all, the best presents are the ones that are slightly nicer than what the receiver would get for themselves.

Whether the runner in your life is training for their first marathon or going hard to place at their next triathlon, the Garmin Forerunner 970 will let them measure important stats, like running economy, stride length and ground contact time. It also boasts an integrated “training readiness score,” which uses metrics like sleep quality and training load to assess where they’re at in the recovery process. This watch is an update to the popular Forerunner 965 and comes equipped with incredibly helpful onboard features, like a built-in LED flashlight, microphone and speaker.

Know a runner who's on the market for a running coach? Get them the lightweight, low-profile COROS PACE 3. This feature-rich training watch includes advanced sensors for monitoring heart rate, blood oxygen levels, three different sleep stages, altitude and distance. Users can also download training plans, access and assess their workout results in the COROS App and Training Hub and get personalized improvement tips from the free COROS Coaches service. All that, plus non-running activity modes like hiking, skiing, and snowboarding, for under $250.

Once a runner graduates from steady mileage to speedy sessions, they very well may want a handsfree device that lets them track their stats while listening to music. Snag them the Forerunner 165 Music, one of many options in the legacy line of GPS watches from Garmin. Not only does the 165 Music monitor training data like distance, pace, intervals, heart rate and VO2 max, but it also stores and plays songs you download directly to the watch. There are also safety tracking features that allow runners to share their location with emergency contacts, and with Garmin Pay™ contactless payments, they can grab a mid-long-run snack without a card or cash on hand.

For the runner on your gift list who’s just venturing further into the stats-heavy world of pacing and efficiency, this COROS Heart Rate Monitor pairs perfectly with a COROS smart watch (see above) to let them track their body mechanics and hit that perfect stride. Available in a simple gray, a high-vis lime, and orange, this thin, ultralight band sports an impressive 38-hour battery life on a single charge, so your run-club bestie can use it for days on end. More comfortable and simpler to slip on than a chest strap (though with an optical sensor, like a wrist-based monitor), this little wonder pairs easily with most Bluetooth heart rate-enabled devices.

Foam rolling is a necessary evil. Why not make that task easier by gifting the runner in your life the Trigger Point Performance GRID, which is specifically designed to stimulate and release muscle knots (or trigger points) via localized rolling. The multi-density foam has a 3D geometric pattern that mimics a massage therapist's hands, so your pal should be back up and running in no time.

Chances are, you’ve got a gym rat or trail runner on your list who’s always going on about sore muscles. Give them a blissful recovery massage whenever they need it with the Hyperice Hypervolt 2. This percussion-style massager boasts three different speeds and five head attachments, so that they can get the pressure and intensity just right. Plus, it connects to the Hyperice app via Bluetooth, offering customized training tips and recovery stats the more they utilize the massager.

Ready to break the bank for an extra special marathoner in your life? This splurge-worthy air compression massager from Hyperice helps squeeze and soothe aching leg muscles for hours, so that they can unwind and recover more quickly. Designed to fit humans who are 5’4’’ to 6’3’’, this massage device can be a lifesaver for runners stacking hard and long sessions during race training. The Normatec Elite features five overlapping zones across the lower body, mimicking the natural one-way valves of the legs, so that it can effectively increase circulation, soothe sore muscles and aid in quicker recovery times.

Your favorite runner probably has tired feet. And after a long run, they might love to slide on a nice pair of cushy slippers. These ones from HOKA are designed to bring a version of the brand's supersoft running shoe technology to their resting hours. The ORA Recovery 3 slides update a previous version of the shoe with more airflow channels so odor doesn't stay trapped. And an exciting and wide range of colors means they'll stand out among the post-run bakery-stop crowd.