The Best Christmas Gifts for Runners

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the runner in your family, or even better, for you? I've been testing running gear for the past ten years, and here's the best you can buy.

Tiger Tail Muscle Roller ($35)

Introducing the Tiger Tail Original 11″ Portable Foam Roller Massage Stick, your ideal travel-sized companion. Tailored for personal use, it excels in addressing both upper and lower body muscle tension. Effectively targeting muscle knots across various groups, including the neck, shoulders, arms, hamstrings, glutes, and quads. For optimal shoulder massages, enlist a buddy for assistance.

This versatile tool seamlessly integrates into your routine—whether at work, post-exercise, during travel, or conveniently stowed in a backpack. Its compact design allows for easy packing in sports bags, travel bags, cars, and even office drawers. And, don't overlook its prowess as a remarkable foot massager—the cushioned foam center ensures a soothing experience. Unleash the benefits of this portable massage stick wherever life takes you.

Vuori Clementine 4.0 Running Shorts ($60)

The Vuori Clementine shorts stand out as Vuori's top-selling shorts, and it's easy to see why. They offer comfort, impeccable craftsmanship, excellent performance, and a stylish appearance. Quickly becoming my preferred choice for both running and daily mom activities (even if "mommy" isn't officially a word).

My friend practically lives in these shorts, whether she's hitting the track, going for an easy run, running errands, handling school drop-offs and pick-ups, or even enjoying a day at the amusement park. The Vuori Clementine shorts are not only breathable and lightweight but also possess the perfect amount of stretch, ensuring a great fit. The inclusion of a mesh liner, similar to men's swim shorts, adds an extra layer of comfort and security.

What sets these Vuori shorts apart is their outseam design, enhancing mobility and, importantly, providing resistance to chafing. After logging numerous hot and sweaty miles, she can attest to the fact that these shorts left her without a single chafing mark.

Sport In Science Go Energy Gel ($14 for a pack of six)

Experience the upgraded version of the original GO Energy Gels by Science in Sport – now with an extra kick.

For those unfamiliar, the GO Energy Gel was a game-changer, providing a rapid and easily digestible supply of two types of carbohydrates. This unique formula allows the body to absorb more carbs per hour compared to glucose alone.

Introducing SiS GO Energy Gel + Caffeine, built upon the successful formula of the innovative SiS GO Isotonic Energy Gel but enhanced with the addition of 75mg (or 150mg!) of caffeine. This results in a swift energy boost accompanied by both mental and physical revitalization.

What sets it apart is the clean and easily digestible nature of GO Energy + Caffeine. Unlike most products with a lingering caffeine taste, this gel offers a refreshing experience in the mouth.

Feetures Elite Light Cushion Socks ($18)

Experience an upgraded fit and sensation like never before. When it comes to the pinnacle of performance socks, our Elite socks stand out in every aspect. Boasting Targeted

Compression: these socks provide zone-specific compression precisely where it's needed most, ensuring unparalleled comfort and support. Their anatomical design aligns seamlessly with the left and right structure of the foot, delivering a customized and superior experience.

Bowflex Adjustable Dumbbells ($429)

Simply by turning a dial, you can effortlessly adjust your resistance, ranging from 5 lbs. to an impressive 52.5 lbs. No more juggling 30 different dumbbells to achieve your desired results—these adjustable dumbbells efficiently replace 15 sets of weights. Stay committed to your fitness journey with JRNY, accessible from your phone or tablet; experience the Mobile-Only Membership free for 2 months. With just two SelectTech 552 Dumbbells, you have all you need to transform your body permanently.

Roll Recovery R4 Foam Roller ($60)

Crafted to stand out as the ultimate foam roller in effectiveness, the R4™ Body Roller meticulously accounts for every detail. Its size, surface texture, material density, and shape were fine-tuned to precisely target specific muscle groups.

Emphasizing key focus points, the center groove aligns with the spine and neck, while the profile aids in loosening tight IT-bands, calf muscles, and various other body areas. The development of the R4™ Body Roller was informed by valuable feedback from elite athletes and physical therapists, ensuring its optimal design.

Theragun Pro Plus Massage Gun ($600)

The Theragun PRO Plus stands as the ultimate percussive massage device, crafted to elevate your performance to unprecedented heights. Integrating our most potent deep muscle percussive massage, it goes beyond by offering five additional advanced therapies.

These include near-infrared LED light therapy for joint and tissue treatment, vibration therapy to enhance circulation, heat therapy for alleviating soreness and facilitating rapid warm-ups, and breathwork to promote heightened focus and relaxation. Endorsed by professionals, Theragun PRO Plus is a trusted companion in pain relief, recovery optimization, and mobility improvement.

Trigger Point 2-Inch Massage Ball ($12)

The TriggerPoint MobiPoint Massage Ball offers targeted muscle compression for relieving soreness, discomfort, and tightness. With a compact 2-inch diameter, this massage ball is specifically designed for applying focused pressure to small surface areas like hands and feet. The raised tip texture promotes blood and oxygen flow, contributing to improved mobility and reduced soreness.

Crafted with solid plastic construction, the MobiPoint Massage Ball ensures durability, hygiene, and easy cleaning. Dimensions: 2" x 2" x 2", weighs .12 lbs., backed by a 1-year manufacturer's warranty. TriggerPoint is dedicated to empowering individuals of all lifestyles to move and feel better, creating innovative massage therapy tools, including foam rollers, hand rollers, massage sticks, and balls, suitable for people of all ages, sizes, and athletic abilities.

Hoka Ora 3 Recovery Slide ($60)

Derived from the acclaimed ORA Slide, the ORA Slide 3 incorporates four additional air flow channels to enhance breathability. This comfort-centric design is tailored for leisure, with a sustainable twist featuring an eco-friendly sugarcane footbed. Anchored in the dual-density geometry and injection-molded outsole of its iconic predecessor, the ORA Slide 3 provides unparalleled foot-cradling comfort within a forward-thinking silhouette.

SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Headphones ($140)

Introducing the best-selling wireless sport headphones, previously recognized as Aeropex, now presented in fresh packaging, boasting a quick-charge capability, and sporting a new name. OpenRun stands as our most lightweight headphones to date, designed with exceptional sound quality, a durable battery life, and Quick Charge functionality. Stay aware and motivated as you conquer any workout with the enhanced features of OpenRun.