While trail runners may have similar needs as hikers, they can be vastly different in what they want with them when they hit the trail. Every runner is unique and every runner has their own particular style of what they are looking for in gear, fuel, and fun.
Here are some gift ideas to help find the perfect gift for your favorite trail runner, whether they are just getting started or are long-time trail warriors.
Apparel
- Socks such as Balega Running Socks or XOSkin Toesocks
- A Rain jacket like the light-weight INOV-8 Waterproof Jackets or On Weather Jackets
- A new pair of their favorite trail shoe or a gift card to go toward a new pair
- Bandanas or Buffs like this Appalachian Trail buff or Smartwool’s Thermal Merino Wool Long Neck Gaiter
- Fleece Lined Gloves. These Smartwool gloves are my personal favorite.
- Leggings or Shorts from their favorite brands like XOSkin, Constantly Varied Gear or Janji
- Gaiters such as Kahtoola INSTAgaiter Mid Gaiters (rated best overall by IRunFar.com), Altra Trail Gaiters, or Dirty Girl Gaiters
- Compression Sleeves like these Leg Sleeves and Arm Sleeves from XOSkin (Great for recovery too)
Books
- The Happy Runner by David Roche & Megan Roche
- Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness
- Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall
- The Big Book of Endurance Training and Racing by Philip Maffetone
- Born to Run 2 by Christopher McDougall & Eric Orton
- The Come Back Quotient by Matt Fitzgerald
- Running Your First Ultra by Krissy Moehl
- North by Scott Jurek
- Any of the Ultrarunning History books by Davy Crockett including Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History; Frank Hart: The First Black Ultrarunning Star; Classic Ultramarathon Beginnings: The Barkley Marathons, Comrades Marathon, London to Brighton, JFK 50, Spartathlon, and others
Experiences
- Funds for races
- Michigan Adventure Racing or find a local adventure racing organization in your area
- City/State/National Park Pass
- A Runner’s Journal
Fuel
- For long-haul runners, a stockpile of their favorite fuel. I like Gnarly‘s Fuel 2.0., Honeystingers, and Applesauce Pouches. Other options include UCANN, Tailwind, and Spring Energy. There are numerous options out there.
- Electrolytes such as Gnarly’s Hydrate, BPN Electrolytes or Dripdrop
- A cookbook focused on fueling a busy lifestyle such as Run Fast, Eat Slow, Meals on the Run, or Racing Weight Cookbook.
Gear
- A hydration vest like the Salmon Skin ADV Skin 5, Nathan Pinnacle 12 liter Hydration Vest, Ultimate Direction Vest or REI Co-Op Swiftland Hydration Vest
- Heart Rate Monitors such as the Polar H10
- A GPS-capable watch from Garmin or Coros
- Hydration Bottles such as HydraPak SoftFlask or Hydro Flask Lightweight
- GoodR Sunglasses
Recovery
- Percussive massage gun like the Hyperice Hypervolt 2 Pro or Therabody Theragun Elite
- A foam roller
Safety
- First Aid Kit
- Emergency Blanket
- Headlamp like the PETZL IKO Core Headlamp
- Waistlamp like the Ultraspire Lumen 600
- Visible items such as lights or reflective vests
- KT Tape
- Epson Salt
- Anti-chafe protectants such as Squirrel Nut Butter, Vaseline, or Bodyglide
- Sunscreen such as Native Sunscreen
Other Ideas
- Race Bib and Medal Displays
- Chapstick
- A heavy-duty moisturizer