Top Gifts for Runners

Running is a very popular sport done by people everywhere. There are tons of fantastic gifts you can get the runner in your life that they are bound to appreciate. Here are some of the top gifts for runners:

Nike + iPod

Nike and Apple teamed together to create Nike + iPod. In order to use the service you will have to have a pair of specially made Nike shoes, an iPod Nano, and a special iPod + Nano sensor. When everything is in place the sensor in the shoes will transmit to your iPod and works to some extent like a pedometer. the Nano can tell you how fast your are traveling, how many calories you've burned, and how far you've traveled. When you get home from your run you can connect your iPod to your computer and upload all of the information fro your run. Nike gives you the ability to chart all of that information online, and even challenge your friends around he world to virtual races. The shoes, and the Nano are both reasonably expensive items so this is a pretty expensive gift if your gift recipient doesn't already own a Nano or pair of Nikes.

CamelBak Water Bottle

If you are going on a long run, or even a shorter one chances are you don't want to carry around a huge water bottle. CamelBak water bottles are essentially small backpacks that can be filled with water and carried on your back while you run. CamelBaks make it much easier to drink water while your running, and not get tied down to a bulky water bottle.

Weights

Many runners will try to increase the quality of their workout by wearing ankle or wrist weights. The weights can be attached to your ankles or wrists and then make running slightly more difficult to do. These really are not the thing to get a beginning runner, but can be excellent for serious walkers or advanced runners who want to add a little more to their workout.

Sports Earphones

If you know a runner who likes to listen to music while they run then a pair of sports earphones can be an excellent gift choice. Sports ear buds are ideal for running. the ear buds are small and fit inside of the ear, but also have a plastic option that goes around the back of the ear for added stability and protection. Regular ear buds that come with iPods and other music players will fall out during heavy running session, the sports ear buds help keep the earphones in place while you run.

Night Running Gear

Running at night can be very dangerous if you don't have the right gear. There are reflective vests and jackets both of which can be great ideas depending on what weather your runner typically finds themselves running in. Another good option can be LED lights other reflective items attached to the runners shoes. Small items like reflective arm and leg bands can be purchased rather inexpensively and can make a runner much more visible during the evening hours when vehicles may potentially encounter them.

Socks

I used to dread getting socks as gifts when I was younger, socks however can make an excellent inexpensive gift for a runner. Don't buy a large pack of generic socks, visit a sports supply store and talk to one of the professionals there on what an appropriate sock choice would be for a runner. There are tons of great high quality socks that have been designed specifically for runners. Socks are something that runners can always use more of no matter how many pairs they have.