The Grommet Team Like the mail, neither rain nor snow nor the gloom of night can prevent avid runners from completing their routes. Whether you know a hardcore racer or a beginner jogger, check out these gift ideas for runners. From lights that help brighten a dark sidewalk to packs that hold essentials, the following are all excellent additions to help enhance their routine runs.
Light Up the Night
Running in the dark is not ideal, but sometimes it can’t be avoided. That is where these clever little shoe lights can be a real lifesaver. To warn drivers of their presence, a runner just needs to slip the lightweight, super-bright LED lights on over their heels. The lights can be set to either glow continuously or to flash. And because they’re weatherproof, these heel lights can also be used on gloomy, foggy, or stormy days.
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Safely Stowed
No Pockets? No Problem
House keys, a phone, and a little mad money—runners often need to carry these items. Unfortunately, athletic wear isn’t always designed with storage in mind. FlipBelt is a singular tubular waistband that has four multi-access pocket openings that can hold the essentials. Because this sleek belt is form-fitting, it won’t bounce around during a run. Another plus? This belt has been crafted from an antibacterial Spandex-Lycra blend that is odor-resistant.
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Hand-y Lights
Light up the life of your favorite runner with rechargeable LED gloves. Because each LED light can project a 135-degree radial arc of light up to 30 feet away, these gloves make excellent running gifts for anyone who exercises outdoors at night. Runners will not just be seen but can also see where they’re going. These lightweight gloves boast a specially designed pocket on the palm where you can stash a key, a few dollars, as well as built-in reflective strips for additional visibility.
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No-Jiggle Headphones for Joggers
On long runs many people rely on podcasts for entertainment or music for motivation. Unfortunately, traditional headphones aren’t always the most comfortable things to wear during a run. They can jar loose from the constant pounding of a jogger’s feet or can just irritate a runner’s ears. This headband and speaker combination is made from a stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric that fits snugly over the ears and streams music through a Bluetooth connection.
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A Wallet for Your Wrist
Most runners need to carry at least a few essentials, such as car keys, a little cash, or a cell phone during a race. Wristband wallets are a clever solution for this issue and make great gifts for a marathon runner. The fabric that these wallets are made from is stretchy so it slips on easily over a runner’s wrist. And because we understand that sweating comes with the territory when you run long distances, this fabric is breathable and designed to wick moisture away.
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Socks that Rock
The wrong socks can make a run miserable. A well-made athletic sock—such as the ones from Bombas—can provide the extra cushioning and support that long-distance runners need. Bombas boast a HoneyComb Support System that provides a runner’s foot with extra support in the arc. Its seamless toe reduces irritation, and extra cushioning in the heel protects against blisters. These socks are also crafted from a breathable, moisture-wicking material. Another reason these socks are special? For every pair of socks purchased, Bombas will donate a second pair to someone in need.
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An In-Vest-ment in a Runner’s Safety
Do you have a loved one who runs in the wee hours? If so, consider giving them a gift that could possibly save their lives one day. This reflective safety vest catches drivers attention. It has super bright symbols on both its front and back that can be seen up to a quarter-mile away. And for your comfort, this vest has been crafted out of breathable, lightweight fabric with a pocket for you to stash small items.
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A Hands-Free Leash for Running with Fido
Many dogs love to accompany their owners on runs, but jogging while holding a leash can interfere with the way a runner uses their arms for momentum. So one of the best gifts for runners with dogs is a hands-free leash system like Stunt Puppy’s clever design. This flexible leash, which can stretch from 34 to 51 inches, attaches to a sliding ring on a belt that is worn around a runner’s waist. This hands-free-style harness is actually easier on both humans and dogs for runs.
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A Better Bottle that Takes Less Room
Traditional water bottles tend to be bulky and take up a lot of room in a runner’s or hiker’s backpack. But this clever BPA- and plastic-free bottle from que is different. Because of its unique accordion-style design, this bottle can collapse down to half its size, which means it takes up less room. It’s also made out of flexible, food-grade silicone and boasts a stainless-steel rim and cap, which provides an air-tight seal.
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A Personal Foot Therapist and Massager
A runner’s feet endure quite a bit of abuse as they pound out mile after mile, day after day. So why not give that beloved runner in your life something designed to make their feet feel better? The HighHealer is a 5-in-1 foot stretcher that was invented by a podiatrist to relieve pain in the feet, ankles, and calves. It is especially useful for easing the pain caused by plantar fasciitis. This lightweight stretcher also comes with a soapstone massager that can provide both hot and cold therapies for a runner’s tootsies.
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We understand runners are a special breed. They are dedicated to their hobby and refuse to allow “little” things like darkness and weather to get in their way. We’re sure some of theses innovative products will be perfect for both the marathon runners and the casual joggers you know and love.
In search of gift ideas for fitness fanatics? Here’s our Gift Guide for the Fitness Guru.
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12 photos for this story, and it looks like there are no people of color.
I hope you will expand your social vision. You are not addressing the world that I live in.
Hey Michael—Thank you for your feedback. Your points ring true and this is something we are working hard at improving. We have more work still to be done. I’m personally working with the team for this post and future Grommet content to be more representative of the world everyone lives in.
This story does not even acknowledge how life is dangerously different for people of color who run. Where are the products to keep away the racists? A poor joke, but you get the point– this story is an (I imagine unintended) example of white privilege in action, both in the copy and the images. It doesn’t even occur to your staff that anyone who isn’t white might have a different set of concerns or needs– it’s tone deaf and bad for business.
Hi Tory—Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your note hit me hard—What you describe is not intended by our team. We care deeply about every human, and work hard to make sure we are representing everyone in the work that we are doing. We still have room there. I’m working with the team to update the post and ensure future content is more representative of everyone.