Under £25
Hilly Off-road socks – £10 – Buy here
Surely, there’s no better stocking-filler than a pair of socks. These puppies are so good they picked up the Gold award in the 2015 Men’s Running Awards, with the tester saying: “Very nice to wear and kept my feet happy off-road and up and down hills. It rained several times when I was wearing them, but I never encountered any sore spots – would highly recommend”.
Feetures Running Socks – £10.49 – Buy here
From the less-is-more school of running socks, comes these slinky pair from Feetures. Breathable, thin, blister-free and moisture absorbent to stop your feet getting clammy and sweaty, these are a great option for both training and race day.
Ronhill Pro Glove – £15.00 – Buy here
The Ronhill Pro Gloves offer not only thermal warming and wicking material to soak up sweat, but are fast drying and reflective. An added bonus is the touch-screen compatible fabric based on the end of each finger and thumb, providing no obstacles for smartphone use.
Crane Premium – £19.99 – Buy in-store, Aldi
Somewhat unbelievably, there are a pair of shoes in the under £25 section. Yes, they’re from Aldi rather than Adidas, but they’re also surprisingly good. Ideal for a beginner who’s not yet willing to commit to a top-of-the range quality shoe, these perform much better than their £19.99 pricetag might have you believe.
Sunwise Equinox Sunglasses – £23.79 – Buy here
In a world where sports sunnies routinely cost north of £100, Sunwise stands out as a powerhouse of affordable eyewear. The Equinox RM is snug-fitting, bounce-free and boasts 100% protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. It comes with four different lens options, ranging from red to clear, depending on the level of protection required.
Ronhill Merino 200 Running hat – £20 – Buy here
This can be worn inside-out, if you prefer eye-catching red to understated grey, but the real plus-point is the fit: there’s no movement at all, making it a solid option for quicker night runs or when the temperature drops. Merino wool construction is breathable and the odour-wicking capabilities aren’t to be sniffed at, either.
Under £50
Berghaus Men’s Vapour Short-Sleeve – £25 – Buy here
Picking up gold in the MR Awards under the Technical Top category, this would make a fine gift for any runner. The tester said: “A quality product that felt very comfortable to run in. I also really liked the blue colour and design”
Jawbone UP Move – £39.99 – Buy here
Many fitness trackers come at a substantial price, but not this one. Without the fancy display, the handy Jawbone UP Move can clip on anywhere. It tracks activities and sleep, and reports it all back to your smartphone through the Jawbone app. As far as reliable fitness trackers at the cheaper end of the market this Christmas go, this is your best bet.
Strava Premium annual subscription – £39.99 – More here
Strava is free, of course, but upgrading to Strave Premium allows you access to training plans, advanced workout analysis, race analysis and much much more. Don’t fancy committing to it for a year? Trial it for £3.99 per month.
Sports massage – £40 – Buy here
Loosen up this Christmas with a sports massage at the hands of Simon Lamb of Six Seconds High. Yes, there may be the odd moment of pain, but think of the good you’re doing yourself – and your running.
Under £100
CEP Run Ultralight Socks – £50 – Buy here
CEP compression socks improve both arterial and venous blood flow, maximising the amount of oxygen your body gets. They’re great for injury prevention and keeping the muscles stable.
Miiego wireless headphones – £54.95 – Buy here
Boastinggreat reviews from the MR team, you’ll struggle to find wireless headphones of such good quality for a better price. Lightweight with a fit snug around your head, these guys will give you an impressive seven hours of battery life. Astonishingly, it also has an in-built mic, meaning you can take calls while on the run (if you have enough breath to talk, of course).
Puma NightCat Jacket – £54 – Buy here
This smart-looking jacket from Puma oozes coolness, but some of you may be a bit concerned that you’ll blend straight into the dark. Fear not: Puma have implemented visiCELL technology, which is highly reflective and will allow you to be seen in the low-levels of light.
mizuno Wave Hitogami 2 – £55 – Buy here
Gold winner in the MR Awards Minimalist Shoe category, at £55 these are a bargain. As a minimalist shoe you expect it to be, well, minimal, but these offer a surprising amount of stability too. Here’s what the tester had to say: “Lovely, fast, light racer. Just the right amount of cushioning to push hard and go fast. Brilliant for a quick 10K.”
Tough Mudder entry – £85 – £105 – Buy here
We’ve heard the stories and seen the wounds – now it’s time to enter an obstacle course race. Tough Mudder entry comes at quite a price – depending on when you book – but this could well be worth giving to the runner who’s always giving it large. A test of your physical and mental courage, this is the ultimate man’s gift.
Nike Aeroreact – £90 – Buy here
The future is here this Christmas. This clever top’s textile – a bi-component yarn – can actually sense moisture vapour from when you heat up and sweat. The thermo-regulative material recognises this, and opens its structure to maximise breathability. It looks great too!
Inov-8 260 Thermoshell – £95.95 – Buy here
When the weather really turns dire, it’s time to reach for this jacket. It’s extremely windproof while at the same still allowing lots of breathability to stop you from getting clammy. It also looks great as an everyday jacket.
Gait analysis at Stride UK- £99 – Buy here
Ever wondered if you’re running in the right way? Why not have it done by the professionals? For £99, Stride UK will take a thorough look at your running style and make some insightful suggestions on how to become a more efficient mover.
£100+
New Balance Vazee Pace – £100 – Buy here
One of the finest neutral shoes on the market. With plenty of cushioning and a the 6mm drop, its lightweight but also supportive. This is perfect for all distances, from 5K to marathon.
Wild Running – £100 – Buy here
Fancy something different this Christmas? Wild Running offer full-day bespoke packages running over wild and rugged South Devon landscapes, including Dartmoor and the South West Coast Path. All led by experienced and motivational guides, such as trail guru Ceri Rees.
Tough Guy entry – £110-20 – Enter here
It’s more expensive than Tough Mudder and supposedly more difficult too. Taking place in January, you or your friend won’t have much time to prepare, but personally, we’d be more worried about the cold!
Adidas ultra boost – £130 – Buy here
These have been dubbed as the ‘greatest ever running shoe’. That’s slightly overplaying it, perhaps, but there’s plenty to recommend here. 100% boost technology on the bottom provide a spongy bounce, while the upper is breathable, flexible and as comfortable as a sock.
Salomon S Lab Wings – £145 – Buy here
The most expensive shoe on our Christmas Gift Guide comes in the form of a trail shoe. Solid and sturdy, these are perfect for rough terrains, especially downhill. Because of their durability, these are also a solid choice for ultras.
TomTom Runner 2 – 189.99 – Buy here
Quite simply, a fantastic running watch. GPS, pace, distance, time – everything for the everyday runner. Now, with the added feature of 500 songs of storage that can wirelessly play to wireless headphones! This is also a very competitive price in the running watch market.
Elliptigo – £1,599 – Buy here
Come on. We had to put at least one ridiculous present in here. The Elliptigo is… well, this is what it is:
