I'm a marathon runner and these are the running gifts I wish someone would buy me, plus the ones I'd give to new starters

I love running (I'm planning on a third marathon in 2026), and I love being bought things (doesn't everyone?). But runners like me are tricky to buy for, at least when it comes to running gear

We already have our best running shoes we love and rely on, and they can be very expensive or tailored to a specific running style, so tough to buy replacements for. Likewise with running watches: a cheap Garmin watch isn't going to be a great gift for a habitual Apple Watch Ultra 3 user. So, with the two main running accessories out, what's left?

Here are some of the gifts I would actually appreciate, as a runner, namely based around comfort and recovery. To start with, I love good running socks, and Stance does some of the best structured running socks (which are slightly too expensive to want to buy myself, making them perfect gifting fodder). Options for carrying stuff are also great, with Salomon vests almost universally considered the cream of the crop, especially trail runners. The Salomon Agile 2 Running Hydration Pack is one of the best, although you'll need to check your recipient's size.

Otherwise, it's all about accessories. Know a runner who struggles with the glare from the winter sun? Some cool polarized shades, with Knockaround on the cheaper end and Nike Trainer sunglasses on the more expensive side. Recovery tools get a look-in as well: knotty muscles will never go away, and I don't know a single runner who wouldn't appreciate a Theragun Mini or Bob & Brad Q2 Mini massage gun.

Finally, a chest-mounted heart rate monitor can increase the accuracy of a runner's smartwatch heart rate readings. If they're a Garmin user, the Garmin HRM-200 is ideal, otherwise the best option is the Polar H10, which I personally use as a heart-rate accuracy benchmark during run testing new equipment.

Check out the full list below. The nice thing about this list is that these gifts are evergreen: most of them apply to new runners as well as experienced ones.

12 best running gifts

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