2020 Holiday Gift Guide for Runners

Check out our picks for best gifts for the runners in your life

Photo by: Matt Stetson

Canadian Running November 25, 2020

The holidays are just around the corner! Here are some of our hottest finds for the runners in your life this holiday season:

Electronics

(1) Apple Watch Series 6

With Apple Watch Series 6, unveiled in September, the brand introduces Fitness+, featuring a wide range of workout classes viewable on any Apple screen, with metrics powered by Apple Watch. Also introducing the more affordable Apple Watch SE. The latest software update, Watch OS7, supports sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection and a number of new fitness activities including dance, core training, functional strength training and cooldowns. (Pictured is Apple Watch Series 5.)

Apple Watch Series 6, starting at $529. Apple Watch SE, starting at $369. Apple Fitness+, $13/month or $100/year (for a limited time, Apple Watch Series 3 or higher comes with three free months of Fitness+).

(2) Polar Grit X

With its rugged construction and minimum 40-hour battery life in GPS mode, the Polar Grit X watch is perfect for trail and ultrarunners who can benefit most from features like real-time elevation stats, fuelling alerts, sleep tracking, GPS, compass and altimeter.

$607

(3) Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

Music lovers, say goodbye to having to take your phone on your run. The Forerunner 245 Music is the ideal gadget for those who love their tunes on the run. As well as providing all the other running metrics you need (plus heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking), it offers training and recovery insights and coaching, holds 500 songs and battery life is excellent – up to six hours in full GPS and music-listening mode, up to a week in regular smartwatch mode.

$480

4) Shure AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

With up to 20 hours of battery life, these beautiful, comfortable and durable headphones come in two colours: black (shown) and brown, and come with a sturdy carrying case, audio cable and USB-C charging cable.

$665

(5) Apple Air Pods Pro

If you use Apple devices, you can’t beat Air Pods Pro for instantaneous, seamless Bluetooth connectivity with all your devices (but yes, they work with Android also). Running with music has never been better.

$329

(6) Petzl IKO

The IKO is a powerful, lightweight (79 g), weatherproof, rechargeable headlamp mounted on a semi-rigid headband that does not absorb moisture. It has seven LEDs, three brightness settings and two beam patterns, controlled by one button. The rear battery pack comes with three AAA batteries; IKO CORE comes with the rechargeable Petzl CORE battery. Max. 350 lumens with AAA batteries, 500 lumens with CORE.

IKO Core $120, IKO $90

Recovery

(7) Hyperice Hypervolt Bluetooth

With three power settings and five interchangeable head attachments, you can find just the right touch to soothe sore muscles with the Hypervolt Bluetooth handheld percussion massager. Bluetooth connectivity lets you customize your massage via the Hyperice mobile app.

$500

(8) Myostorm Meteor

Developed by U.S. 2016 Olympic marathoner Jared Ward, the Meteor by Myostorm combines heat and vibration to deliver soothing and effective self-massage, anywhere the body needs it.

US$149 plus shipping

Fuel

(1) SoLo GI Bar, Lemon

(2) Clif Bloks, Margarita

(3) Clif Nut Butter Bar, Chocolate Peanut Butter

$1.99 to $2.29

(4) GU Gel, Hoppy Trails

$2.59

(5) SoLo GI Bar, Chocolate Brownie

(6) Track runners, wow your friends and teammates with this gorgeous “trackuterie” board, handmade by 2019 Canadian decathlon champion and six-time Team Canada member Taylor Ehrhardt of London, Ont. (@taylor_ehrhardt_craftsmanship). It’s available in three wood choices for the track lanes (lane lines are maple). 17″ x 9″ x 1″.

$110 Plus shipping.

Engraving available for an additional fee.

Apparel

(A) Puma Evostripe men’s track suit

Ergonomically designed and featuring sweat-wicking technical fabric with zip pockets in the side seams, these pieces are perfect for warmups and cooldowns. Available at SportChek.

Pants $75, Hoodie $90.

(B) Smartwool Extra Heavy Cozy Slipper Sock are a thick merino blend with elastic arch and ankle support.

$35

(C) Asics Runner Face Cover is made of quick-drying, breathable fabric that’s also water-repellent and washable. Its curved construction and strategic vents provide unobstructed air flow while minimizing the spread of droplets. It’s also made of 31 per cent recycled materials.

$60

(D) The Smartwool Logo Beanie is 50 per cent merino wool, 50 per cent acrylic, fits anyone and looks great.

$40

(A) The Smartwool Merino 250 Cuffed Beanie is warm and breathable. 100 per cent merino wool.

$35

(B) Buff ThermoNet Multi unisex head wraps are designed to fit snugly and are made with four-way stretch fabric that’s both warm and breathable.

$35

There’s a reason lululemon tights are everywhere – with a wide selection of high-quality, flattering, sweat-wicking styles in a riot of colours (many, like the medium-rise Speed Up Tight 28″, shown, with roomy side pockets), the brand knows what women want in a running tight.

$108

(D) Stance Feel360 Run Socks are crew height (perfect for winter) and come in multiple colourful, creative designs.

$23

(E) The light, windproof Arc’teryx Women’s Trino SL Anorak is perfect for windy, chilly, wet weather on roads or trails.

$300

(F) The Asics GEL-Cumulus 22 G-TX is the November-to-April, stormy-weather version of one of the most popular neutral cushioning trainers on the market. $180

(G) Asics Women’s Winter Seamless Longsleeve Top is constructed without seams, to reduce chafing.

$95

(H) Arc’teryx Men’s Trino SL Tights are super lightweight, breathable and windproof, for your chilliest runs.

$200

(I) Both wind- and water-resistant, Asics Men’s Lite-Show Jacket (shown here in Lime Zest) has 360-degree reflectivity for supreme visibility during your darkest runs.

$140

(J) The Smartwool Merino 250 Neck Gaiter is soft and cosy (and in a pinch, doubles as a mask).

$35

(A) Women’s Under Armour Storm Run Liner Gloves can be worn on their own or layered under heavier gloves when the mercury plunges.

$35

(B) Light, breathable and quick-drying, the Buff ThermoNet Hat is made of 70 per cent recycled yarn.

$35

(C) Made specifically for runners, Smartwool’s PhD Outdoor Mid Crew socks fit comfortably, last a long time and are lightly cushioned for optimal performance.

$30

(D) The women’s Under Armour ColdGear Reactor Run Vest‘s lightweight, quilted insulation adapts perfectly to your activity level.

$140

(E) Baby, it’s cold outside – and the women’s Smartwool’s Merino 250 Baselayer Crew is 100 per cent merino wool, which offers breathable warmth and sweat wicking when braving the elements.

$140

(F) Under Armour ColdGear Ignight Tights for women have a brushed interior, fast-drying exterior and invisible-zip phone pocket.

$110

(G) Lululemon Energy Bra Long Line provides medium support, and the extra coverage is great for winter runs.

$64

(H) For milder days, the Arc’teryx Motus Beanie, made with the brand’s engineered polyester base layer material, provides lightweight warmth.

$30

(I) Men’s Under Armour Storm Run Liner Gloves can be worn on their own or layered under heavier gloves in cooler temperatures.

$35

(J) The Asics Men’s Lite-Show Winter Jacket (shown here in Smog Green/Graphite Grey) is wind- and water-resistant and highly reflective for maximum visibility.

$190

(K) They’ll see you coming in the Under Armour Qualifier Ignight Hoodie, a striking and practical addition to your winter running wardrobe.

$110

(L) The new high-visibility colourways for the Saucony Endorphin Speed and (M) Endorphin Pro add an element of enhanced safety to your dark, early-morning winter workouts.

Endorphin Speed $200, Endorphin Pro $250

(N) Under Armour RUSH Run Jogger have mesh panelling in strategic locations to enhance breathability, plus ankle zips for easy on/off.

$130

Books

Fauja Singh Keeps Going

By Simran Jeet Singh, Illus. by Baljinder Kaur
Penguin Random House
$24

With a foreword by Fauja Singh himself, said to be 109 years old, this sweetly illustrated children’s book tells a story of resilience, achievement and what it’s like to run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon at 100 (which he did, in 2011).

The Athlete’s Gut

By Patrick Wilson, PhD, RD
Velo Press
$33

Everything you ever wanted to know about why you so often experience gastro distress on the run, how the digestive system works and steps you can take to minimize the discomfort.

Girls Running

By Melody Fairchild and Elizabeth Carey
Velo Press
$26

For the young women runners in your life: a primer for middle- and high-school girls about their powerful, changing bodies and how to be the best runners they can be.

This story originally appeared in the November & December 2020 issue of Canadian Running.

Electronics

Recovery

Fuel

Apparel

Books

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