Do you have a new or experienced female runner in your life? Let’s talk running gifts for her that she will love!
In the last few years, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with running. While I was always a jogger, a long run just…..was never something I considered doing. Until? I trained for my first longer race (the Disney Princess Race 10k ). After about 7 months of training, one injury, a medal and a lot of running gear …… I was hooked. And now here I am. I run multiple times a week (both longer and shorter runs and I’m now working on learning to become a better trail runner ).
So I thought it would be fun to round up some ideas for what to give your favorite runner ….. the ultimate guide to running gifts for her that she will love.
The thing I’ve learned about running is that…..runner are PASSIONATE about it. Running is not just a form of exercise; it’s a way of life. If you have a friend or family member who lives for the rhythm of their feet against the pavement, then you know what I’m talking about. We spend hours finding the best running shorts or socks and will talk about it incessantly. The good news is that finding the perfect gift can add an extra layer of joy to their runs and there are a lot of options for useful items that make a great gift for the holiday season or anytime of year!
In this gift guide, I put together 17 cool running gifts for her , spanning from tech gadgets to gear that enhances performance and recovery….and some things that just make running a little more fun.
running gifts for her
Wireless Earbuds : A Symphony for Every Stride
Running with tangled wires is a thing of the past…..wireless headphones are a GAMECHANGER for runners….and honestly one of the best running gifts you can give! I would consider WHERE your runner does their runs, this will help you to determine the best type of headphones as a birthday or christmas gift option. If they run outdoors, I highly recommend NOT doing completely noise cancelling headphones for safety purposes.
I have to admit, I tried running in my BEATS headphones around our neighborhood a few times and….it was so quiet that I really freaked me out. It felt like I couldn’t hear cars approaching. I personally run in Apple Airpods and I’ve heard amazing things about Shokz.
Running Watch: Navigating Progress
A running watch or tracking app membership is a great option for running gifts for her that will be SUPER useful. Some runners swear by using a separate GPS running watch. These devices go beyond basic timekeeping, offering accurate distance measurement, pace tracking, and heart rate monitoring.
I personally use Strava on my apple watch, which is a great gift option. Other runners I know absolutely swear by their Garmin watches as their favorite gps smartwatch for daily use.
Running Belt: Hands-Free Convenience
A running belt is more than just a practical accessory; it’s a game-changer. With various ergonomic designs and adjustable options, running belts that allow runners to carry essentials like keys, phone, and energy gels. I’ve just started wearing one myself as I do longer runs and want to have a hydration pack or bottle with me.
My two favorite running belts? I love the Flipbelt air belt during the hot summer days (it’s breathable). And for carrying water? I like Nike’s Hydration belt. It carries two small water bottles and is perfect for staying hydrated!
Foam Roller: The Ultimate Recovery Companion
Post-run recovery is a crucial aspect of any runner’s routine. There are tons benefits of using foam rollers after a run. They help release muscle tension, reduce soreness, provide pain relief and enhance flexibility. The good news is that the best foam roller options are VERY affordable, which makes these a great gift idea! I can tell you from personal experience they’ll be used!
Massage Gun: Percussive Therapy for Peak Performance
WOW, I promise that this is a VERY good running gifts for her option. Massage guns are a huge hit with athletes and runners, and a lot of us even travel with them for races and events. You can vastly enhance recovery with a massage gun, a portable device that brings professional-quality percussive therapy to the comfort of home.
I’ve found my massage gun to be extremely helpful with recovery time after runs (especially if I run in cold weather). It’s a good gift option for any runner or walker! I use a theragun and EVEN if your runner friend already has one…..the travel size might be a good gift option as well!
Running Socks: A Step Above the Rest
Socks are often underestimated in the running world. I can’t say enough about how much I love great running socks as a gift recommendation . I personally fell in love with Bombas athletic socks last year and….they’re all I wear. These high-performance socks are an excellent gift and one of my favorite things to gift any new runner. When I say they are the best running socks I feel like I’m not doing them justice.
They’re compression socks and they wick moisture so they prevent blisters, plus for every pair sold Bombas makes a donation to local homeless shelters to support those in need.
Running Shoes: The Foundation of Every Run
Running shoes are more than just footwear; they’re a critical part of a runner’s arsenal. Consider the importance of proper fit and guide your gift with a thoughtful shoe selection or a gift card for a personalized shopping experience. I personally am totally loyal to my nike invincible 3s….so if you KNOW what shoe your runner’s personal favorite is…..you can always buy them another pair. Otherwise, I’d go with a gift card so they can select what works for them. You want to be sure they find the best running shoes to meet their needs!
Bonus suggestion, I recently got custom insoles made for my running shoes at my local running store and WHAT a gamechanger. A gift card to do this would be an incredible idea when it comes to running gifts for her!
Running Hat: Stylish Protection
A lightweight, moisture-wicking running hat is more than just a fashion statement for runners. There are a ton of benefits to running hats, including sun protection and sweat absorption (alternately you can use or gift cute headbands) . I’d look for a great hat that an avid runner can wear year round and for a female runner? Specifically look for one with a hole to pull a pony tail through if needed! Another option? Cute running headbands!
Personalized Race Bib Holder: Memories on Display
For runners who participate in races, a personalized race bib holder is a unique and sentimental gift. I actually recently bought one for myself that holds both my race bibs and medals! There are two options, you can buy shadow boxes or special frames for specific races or race weekends or you can buy one to store all of their recent race items.
Running Gifts for Her
I hope that this gift guide gave you some great running gift ideas!
