ShortList is supported by you, our amazing readers. When you click through the links on our site and make a purchase we may earn a commission. Learn more

Best gifts for runners in 2020: everything from high-tech gadgets to must-have essentials

These are the best gift for runners - buy them something they'll actually use

Best gifts for runners in 2020: everything from high-tech gadgets to must-have essentials
Andrew Williams
07 January 2020

What do you buy a runner if your knowledge on the subject wouldn’t fill the back of a receipt? Our best gifts for runners' guide will help you.

UPDATE: It's worth noting that Virgin Sport has just announced a string of running events for 2020. The glorious trifecta of events includes the Hackney Half, ASICS London 10k and Oxford Half. The events regularly sell out, so it might be worth picking up a new pair of trainers or recharging that Garmin in preparation.

Here are some gifts any runner will love, from low-cost runner’s clothing to GPS watches that let you see how your performance improves over the weeks and months.

The list has been compiled by those who have been pounding pavements for years and, because of this, have been subject to the odd terrible running-based gift.

With that in mind - we hope you find what you want and don't forget to vote up anything you have bought and liked.

Best gifts for runners

Best gifts for runners

1. Vibram FiveFingers

From £79.28
View now at Amazon

Wear a pair of ultra-low padding shoes like the Vibram FiveFingers and running suddenly feels completely different. Shoes like these take away the thick foam and gel used in most trainers, so you can feel the terrain much more keenly.

It’s a bit like running barefoot, but with enough of a barrier to avoid tearing up your feet. You become much more conscious of your technique. It helps avoid unnecessary injuries.

5
0
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

2. Regatta Men's Virda Ii Quick Drying Active Sports T-Shirt

From £6.54
View now at Amazon

Runners’ gear can get pretty ripe after a while. A new t-shirt gives a runner friend an excuse to get rid of a top that has hundreds of miles’ worth of sweat baked into each molecule. Just make sure you get one made of a wicking fabric, like the Regatta Men's Virda Ii’s polyester mesh.

This keeps sweat off the skin, for much more comfortable longer-term wear. The Regatta Men's Virda Ii is also ultra-light, perfect for runs and hikes.

3
0
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

3. Garmin Vivosport

£88.00
View now at Amazon

We assume most people don’t have pockets deep enough to buy someone a Garmin Fenix 5 Plus, a “money no object” GPS runner’s watch. The Garmin Vivosport is much more affordable, but has all the same key benefits.

You get full GPS, a built-in heart rate sensor and a clever screen that only gets clearer as the light level increases. The Vivosport is also much smaller and subtler than a traditional runner’s watch. Most serious runners will prefer this to a Fitbit or smartwatch.

2
1
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

4. Ultimate Performance runners bottle

£2.99
View now at Amazon

Those who run 5km a few times a week may not need a water bottle. You’re simply not out long enough to really need mid-run hydration.

Longer-distance runners will benefit from a bottle like this, though. You hold it as you run, using the moulded grip. This model only holds 300ml, but it doesn’t leak and the smaller stature makes it more comfortable to hold.



1
0
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

5. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 wireless earphones

£99.95
View now at Amazon

True wireless earphones are great for running. But they usually come with a few annoying drawbacks: dodgy signal and very bad battery life. Cambridge Audio has fixed both of these with the Melomania 1.

These true wireless buds last nine hours between charges, three times as long as some pairs. The dinky charge case will replenish the battery four times, they sound great and cost significantly less than the other top pairs. What’s not to like?

2
1
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

6. Oakley Jawbreaker Prizm Road Sunglasses

£120.00
View now at Wiggle

If you're looking to buy a gift for something who likes running on roads – rather than on trails or at the gym – then you can't go wrong with a high-quality pair of sunglasses built specially with running and sports in mind. These Jawbreaker Prizm sunglasses from the shades specialists at Oakley are lightweight, durable and specially designed for running, cycling and other high-intensity outdoor sports. Tech in the lenses called Switchlock allows them to adapt in seconds and fine tunes colours for the best contrast and high vision.

You may think these are redundant in the notoriously rainy UK, but even beginner runners know nothing is worse on a long run than blinding sunlight and lots of squinting.

1
1
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

7. OMM Phantom 12 Running Pack

£75.77
View now at Amazon

Although some small backpacks can multi-task as running backpacks, it's best to buy your loved one a bag created specially for pounding the pavement. That way it'll be more secure, less likely to lead to sore shoulders and provide a much-needed space for a water bottle. This new pack from OMM is ultra strong but also lightweight, with a waterproof fabric and reflective detailing. It also has a built-in suspension system to stop too much swinging around as you pound the pavement. The bag is hydration bladder compatible, which means you can add a water reservoir in the main compartment, but there's also a pouch at the front that's perfectly-sized for a regular water bottle.

0
1
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

8. Fitbit Inspire HR

£70.37
View now at Amazon

The Fitbit Inspire HR is great for the runner who wants to dip into the world of tech. It’s a small and simple tracker band that lasts several days between charges, is comfortable to wear and can receive notifications from your phone. It offers some of the smartwatch basics.

This isn’t a full GPS watch, but it has Connected GPS, which maps your runs as long as you take your phone along for the ride.

1
3
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

9. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 19

From £68.89
View now at Amazon

Rather wear a standard running shoe? The Brooks Adrenaline GTS19 is a classic high-end option.

It won our best running shoes group test, for its combo of comfort and stability. Brooks makes this model in a huge range of colour styles, and several are subtle enough to let the GTS act as a day-to-day pair too.

1
3
Thanks for voting
Best gifts for runners

10. Morgan Blue Muscle Relax 200cc

£16.75
View now at Amazon

You’ll find all sorts of strange salves and gels that claim to relieve muscle ache. Morgan Blue’s is used by loads of professional teams, particularly cyclists.
How do they work? These formulations use essential oils that can relieve aches. Eycalyptus oil is one of the most common, although Morgan Blue’s is a proprietary recipe. It’s a particularly good choice if you’re buying for someone who might turn their nose up at the concept of “essential oils” as the packaging is very matter-of-fact.

0
2
Thanks for voting

SOMETHING MISSING FROM OUR SHORTLIST?

Tell us about it, and if enough people agree we'll add it in.