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Strategist junior writer and former Division I distance runner Brenley Goertzen prefers this Cyclops-looking beanie with a removable light over a traditional headlamp because it’s “less conspicuous, very lightweight, and much more secure,” she writes. It’s kept Goertzen warm and visible on below-zero runs, but she also uses the beanie as a nighttime reading light.

Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard keeps this “spiky pain ball” in his bag at all times and uses it for breaking up tight muscles after long runs. “It is not a pleasant device,” he writes, “but if I could get one that was made of metal, I probably would.”

Author Shalane Flanagan is a four-time Olympian and winner of the 2017 New York City Marathon. Together with runner and nutrition coach Elyse Kopecky, she has written a collection of tasty recipes (like the popular superhero muffins) specifically for runners.

Runners in need of some mental fortitude will find it in the pages of sports journalist Alex Hutchinson’s book, Endure. Hutchinson shadows elite athletes pushing the limits of human endurance, discovering that breaking barriers is as much of a psychological challenge as a physical one. Roche says it’s “a must-read for any runner looking to understand how their brain interacts with performance.”

While it’s not going to teach you how to structure an interval workout or what to eat before a marathon, Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami’s meditative memoir on long-distance running is a love letter to the sport that will resonate with any runner. “This is a book that truly can inspire someone to lace up and take this journey on their own,” says David Siik, the co-founder and creative director of Precision Run.

A runner who’s sidelined by injury may have more time to read, and Rebound, recommended by Running Ruminations blogger Erin Mink Garvey, will teach them how to develop the confidence, focus, and resilience to return to the sport even stronger than before. “A lot of books in running lit right now are talking about mental strength and resilience during workouts and races,” says Garvey, “but very few talk about how to develop that skill when you’re injured and on the mend.”

Buffs have long been a favorite among runners for many purposes. Because they’re made from breathable, quick-drying material that doesn’t get soggy, they’re useful for staying warm in the winter or wicking away sweat in the summer. Professional endurance runner Susie Chan says a Buff is “great for many things, from keeping your hair out of your face to a sweatband on your wrist.”

When you’re running outside for several hours each week, you’re going to get a lot of sun exposure, but runners often neglect to wear sunscreen, thinking they’ll either sweat it off or it’ll run into their eyes. Jennifer Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, says “a stick is a good way to get a sunscreen that doesn’t run as much.” Treat the runners in your life to this high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreen stick (a favorite of dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum) to keep their skin looking just as good as their form.

New York features editor Katy Schneider uses this slim waist pack from Nike to turn errands into an aerobic workout. “My weird stop-and-go style of running makes carrying a credit card while I jog necessary,” she says. “And my Nike fanny pack is the object that makes that possible.”

A wet cotton sock rubbing against the foot can cause painful blisters that may stop new runners in their tracks, which is why experienced runners know to invest in moisture-wicking socks made from synthetics or wool. Merino wool is an all-natural fabric that keeps you dry and regulates temperature whether it’s hot or cold out. Strategist contributor Steven John likes this pair because, he says, “along with all the compression and support you’d expect from a good running sock, they feature a specifically anatomical design tailored to each foot.”

Do reliable socks one better with a fun print, as on this pair from Stance. David Roche, the coach and founder of the SWAP running team and co-author of The Happy Runner, says this is “so key for wanting to get out the door each day.”

If you’ve got a long-distance runner in your life, consider gifting them a pack of these gels from Maurten, the Swedish company famous for its carbohydrate-heavy hydrogel drink mix that Eliud Kipchoge uses to fuel his marathon races. These have a sweet, Jell-O–like texture, are easy on the stomach, and aren’t syrupy or thick like other gels.

Bandit is relatively new to the running-apparel scene, but its sleek designs geared toward competitive runners have made the brand noticeable among the urban running crowd, especially in New York City, where its first brick-and-mortar location opened in 2022. Bandit’s mid-weight socks (with its signature “current” logo) are frequently out of stock, but you can sign up for restock notifications.

These gloves are one of our favorite men’s pairs for winter running. Jeff Lane, a former snow ranger for the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, likes their thickness for high-output aerobic activities: “I start a run in mitten mode and after 15 minutes or so, when my blood is finally flowing through the fingertips, it’s super-easy to pull back the shell and let the fingers breathe a bit more.”

I’ve been using this 35-gram rechargeable Bindi as my main headlamp for nighttime runs since 2018. It’s small enough to fit in the back pocket of my running shorts, but it doesn’t skimp on brightness: It pumps out 200 lumens on its highest setting.

These shades are part of ultramarathoner Emily Halnon’s running kit, and she likes them because they never slip or bounce when she’s running, skiing, or climbing. Plus the frames and lenses come in a ton of fun color combinations, so you can pick the perfect pair for your giftee.

Professional rock climber Alex Honnold powered through his recent 32-hour continuous mountain mission almost exclusively with ProBar Bolts. They’re a tasty snack for any endurance athlete. “It’s hard to fuel big pushes in the mountains, and these are one of the best things that I’ve found,” he says.

Chris Chavez, founder of the running-commentary website and podcast network Citius Mag, swears by this running belt for carrying his phone and other essentials. “It doesn’t even look like I’m wearing it when it’s over my shorts and under my shirt,” he says.

While performing self-massage with a foam roller might not be quite as relaxing as a massage in a spa, devoting a few minutes to rolling out your muscles after each run is important for staying loose and preventing injuries. The extra-firm TriggerPoint has raised bumps and lines to get even deeper into muscle tissue. “It’s just the right density to be effective without bruising,” says Radan Sturm, the founder of the Liftonic studio. “It’s the perfect size that allows you to target all major parts of the body, while being compact enough to travel with.”

Gift ideas for women

For runners who regularly run off-road or on trails where there aren’t any fountains, a handheld water bottle lets them take their hydration on the go. Roche likes that this model, with its simple and ergonomic design, isn’t a hassle to carry while running. “The 18-ounce handheld is curved to fit in your hand, and I usually forget about it after ten minutes,” he says.

The runner you’re shopping for has likely already read Born to Run (which David Spandorfer, a co-founder of running-apparel brand Janji, calls “the preeminent running book of all time”). So instead of gifting that title, impress them with the author’s newest book, Running With Sherman. It’s about his experience running with, and ultimately adopting, a donkey. “I’m almost through this right now, and honestly, I had no idea I’d ever be rooting for a donkey so much in my life,” says Erin Mink Garvey, a blogger at Running Ruminations.

Figuring out where to stash your phone and keys while running is often a hassle, especially for women whose shorts don’t have much pocket space. As a solution, Garvey likes the waterproof Koala Clip sports bra pouch. “It’s designed to sit on the back of a sports bra, making it fairly easy to access mid-run if need be, but with the peace of mind that everything is secure,” she says. “No bounce, no chafe — can’t go wrong.”

Health-conscious runners will likely prefer a gel like Spring that’s all-natural and vegan. Roche says the canaberry flavor (containing banana, strawberry, and maple syrup) is a top pick among the athletes he coaches. With a box of 20 gels, runners won’t be caught before a run without their fuel.

Shorts are the foundations of a runner’s wardrobe, with lots of dedicated athletes wearing them well into the fall and winter. An inexpensive pick for guys, writer and runner Steven John says, these “lightweight, quick-drying, and secure-fitting shorts are suitable for use in just about any conditions.” He likes that they have a liner that’s supportive but not too snug if you’re wearing tights underneath to stay warm.

For a comparable women’s pair, try these affordable Nike shorts. Former Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson has worn them for everything from 5Ks to marathons, and they’ve always been comfortable with no annoying chafing or riding up, she says. They last forever and, with a 3.5-inch inseam, they’re neither too long nor too short.

Dog parents like to bring their pup along on the road or trails, too. This hands-free leash attaches to your waist so it doesn’t mess with your stride. Annie Grossman — the owner and co-founder of School for the Dogs and co-founder of Store for the Dogs — says that, compared to regular leashes, this has “a little bit more flexibility so that if the dog goes to one side or the other, it’s not going to be pulling you along with him.”

Writer Alison Freer bought these compression socks for her mom when she was recovering from surgery, but they’re just as useful for runners dealing with tight calves. Compression socks speed up muscle recovery and decrease muscle vibration caused by the high impact of running. Get the moisture-wicking ones to avoid overheating.

For the running obsessive in your life, consider this hat from Parisian running brand Satisfy, which makes distance apparel with a heavy emphasis on design.

I’ve been prepping these packs of overnight muesli each night before my morning runs, and they’ve quickly become my go-to breakfast and midday snack. I like how they’re super-easy to make (just add milk and mix in a jar) and how one pack keeps me full and satiated (there are 20 grams of protein per pack). Plus, they come in flavors that actually taste good, like maple and almonds, chai, and cocoa.

The running brand Janji makes some of the most unique pieces (it works with local artists from different regions each season — like the current French West Indies collection) that are highly functional. “I love how soft and lightweight it is, while offering more warmth and coverage than a short-sleeved T-shirt,” says Adelson. It actually gets its smooth feeling from Supima cotton. Cotton clothing is generally taboo in the running world, since it holds on to moisture and takes longer to dry than wool or synthetic materials, but Janji blended it with polyester for a shirt that both feels good and regulates your temperature.

The typical trade-off with packs designed for running is that more space translates to a bulkier bag, and the more bulk you have, the more the pack is prone to move around while you run. Janji’s Multipass Sling offers a ton of space to carry around your essentials, but thanks to a cross-body strap that locks it into place, you can jog or run without all the jostling. It’s the best thing I bought in 2022.

This long-sleeved shirt looks like your typical winter base layer, but it features such a cool innovation that it’s shocking no one else thought of it first: the watch-window. It’s a little hole on the wrist so you can view your GPS watch while still keeping your shirtsleeves pulled down to cover your hands. If you’ve ever spent a cold run with one hand exposed so you can check your pace, you’ll realize how ingenious this is. “I have a few of Oiselle’s tops with watch-windows, and they make a huge difference in my cold-weather running,” says Adelson.

In our roundup of the best gym shorts for men, we picked the sleek Tracksmith Session shorts as the best pair for running. “The Session shorts feel most at home during runs, of course, but they work just as well for sweaty, aerobic gym sessions,” we wrote. I’ve used both the five- and seven-inch-inseam versions of the Session and like how buttery soft they feel against the skin.

With quick-digesting sugar, caffeine for even more energy, and amino acids to promote muscle recovery, this chocolate-flavored gel is Adelson’s favorite for tough efforts. “Plus it just tastes really good. I find it reminiscent of chocolate frosting but with a pinch of salt to keep it from being way sweet,” she says. A box of 24 should get a runner through a training cycle and, if you aren’t sure what flavor the runner likes, there’s always the variety pack.

Pro runner Mary Cain tends to run cold, but this merino-wool half-zip from Tracksmith lends her the right amount of insulation and breathability.