The holiday season is upon us and we’re here to help. Check out our top ten gift suggestions for the unstoppable athlete in your family. We’ve even included online links for all items if you want to skip the long lines and do your holiday shopping from home. (Suggestions in no particular order.)
- Athletes HoneyMilk ($34.99) – Hey we’re not bashful
– For the athlete that has almost everything, AHM makes a perfect gift. Made with real milk and honey, HoneyMIlk is real fuel for real people. Get your rock star athlete a case of our tasty, high-protein nutritional drink… and get yourself a case too!
- Road ID Wrist ID Elite ($29.99) – If you get your cardio from a great run in the park or an adventurous bike ride through the city (or just a person who doesn’t sit on the couch all day), Road ID is for you. This awesome piece of gear not only looks good but it could save your life. With its rubber strap and stainless-steel clasp, we are big fans of the Wrist ID Elite. In fact, it looks so good you can wear it during your workout or at the office.
- Water-Resistant SPIbelt ($21.99) – Pumping iron at the gym, cruising on your bike or out for a run, you don’t want things jingling in your pockets. You can carry your keys, ID, smartphone, or even GU in the ever-so-handy SPIbelt. We love the water-resistant model as it keeps the sweat off our iPhones.
- SmartWool Arm Warmers ($25.00) – Oh the weather outside may be frightful, but you’ll be nice and toasty on race day in the SmartWool Arm Warmers. Nothing manages moisture, regulates temperature or repels odor better than wool. They make great socks too!
- Manzella Hatchback Gloves ($30.00) – With the holidays comes cooler weather. These gloves are one of our favorites with their windproof finger hood that tucks neatly away when not needed. You’ll even catch us sporting ours when we’re not working out. They’re that cool…
- Icebreaker SS Velocity Crewe ($65.00) – We love the power of wool! This is Icebreaker’s lightest, finest merino available. Teamed with the active styling, flat seams and superb moisture management, the Icebreaker SS Velocity Crewe keeps you warm and dry.
- Salomon Swift Midlayer Hoody ($110.00) – This is one of our favorite pieces. With the great slim fit, thumb loops help prevent sleeves from riding up, and cuffs that extend over the back of hands to boost insulation, this is the perfect layer for outdoor exercise in the colder months.
- CEP Running 02 Compression Socks ($59.90) – You may have seen these on in your weekly run group or at your last race. The CEP sport socks have 18-25mmHg compression. Used by professional triathletes around the world, CEP running socks are the first scientifically proven compression running socks – to maximize power, boost energy, and speed recovery time.
- Zoot CompressRx Recovery Tight ($150.00) – After any long workout or race you’ll find us in our Zoot recovery tights. They sport muscle specific zones of compression to stabilize and prevent post-exercise soreness, plus the graduated compression improves blood flow back to the heart. The end result? Less recovery time and pain.
- Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ ($150.00) – Whether you’re out at the beach or going for a run in the snow, you need to be protecting your eyes. We love the Oakley Flak Jacket due to their lightweight design and interchangeable lenses with permanent coatings that prevents rain and sweat from building up on the lens.
What items are on your Holiday gift list? Leave a comment with your Holiday gift ideas and we’ll give away a Holiday Variety Pack to a randomly selected winner!
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I would definitely include a blender in the list of gifts for athletes. Why? Try blending chocolate light Honey Milk, a banana, frozen blueberries, a little ice, and a couple scoops of yogurt. Delicious and nutritious!
How about an ipad to make staying connected while traveling to events that much easier!
I am def stuck on the Garmin Edge 500. However when you are 30, you are only combining money from the whole family for that killer computer. A computer that gives you everything you could ever want without dropping 450 and up on a power meter.
I’d like to get some of the TRX Equipment so I can always have a go-to when I am at home or have to travel
Great list! I’ll second Tyler’s comment—we have one of the smaller blenders that allows you to “mix and go”… so convenient! (Also, Tyler, congrats on a great marathon! Glad to see all the coverage here in the Lehigh Valley!)
I see a recovery theme here, so there’s one thing I need to add: Trigger Point Therapy products! I’ve been using the ball for ages, and hope for a grid this year which will hopefully outlast our well used foam roller.
Happy Holidays, all, and safe training!
On my list this year is a pair of Newton shoes – so much so that I bought them as a gift to myself! I had poor running form for years without knowing it, and when I finally got a coach, he suggested these as a way to condition my body to run more efficiently. I’ve had them for three weeks, and I can tell a difference already!
For all the others out there recovering from inefficient form, I recommend using Newtons in combination with another shoe in training, preferably one that isn’t packed with foam.
iTunes gift card for music!
A speedfil. Of course it would be great for my bike while I am racing long distances or just riding a long distance, but how awesome would it be to set it on the floor and have the long straw so I can consume HoneyMilk while recovering from a long run or ride. Multi-taksing at its best.
I love this list. I find it almost funny that a lot of my wish list items are on this list!!
Ear warmers and runner’s sunglasses!
I think an iTunes gift card is a great gift for an athlete. I love to download music to listen to while working out or to pump me up before a competition.
A race entry “gift certificate” is also a fun idea. I always want to race more, but those fees are expensive!
Good list. If it was a Top 11 List I would include a winter running hat.
I have those Oakleys and they’re great.
Don’t forget to throw in some basics; Body Glide or Mission Sun Cream and for the winter a good Headlamp always lights up someone’s face on Christmas morning!
For the ladies, Bondi bands are great little gifts. If we are going big, I like the Garmin 305! If you have bikers on your list, who couldn’t use spare tubes and air cartridges? For swimmers, a new swim cap or shampoo to get rid of the chlorine would be great!
Great list!!
My running Christmas list isn’t too crazy:
GU (tri-berry)
SportBeans (watermelon)
SmartWool socks & arm warmers (in the pink/black/blue stripes)
Saucony Ethereal Run Jacket in orange
And I’ve also asked for lots of Southwest giftcards for all the fun running-related trips I’ve got planned in 2011!!
I’m hoping to reach my fundraising goal for my half-marathon in January! This year, it means more to me to help others than add to the pile of stuff in my house!
I might just print this list out and hand it to my wife! (Oh, and if I win the Honeymilk, I’ll review and post on my blog, promise.)
I love Honey Milk! Tried it at the White Rock Marathon and I am hooked!
Toe covers for bike rides on cold days ….a really powerful headlight for my bike to avoid those potholes commuting in the dark and Brooks Green Silence
I got 7 of my friends hooked into running this summer and I can’t wait to give them YakTrax cleats, Saucony Protection Gloves (*comes with a light, yAy*) along with a bottle of Honey Milk Coffee Light as a “goody bag.” This trifecta is a must for runners here in Chicago who brave snowy running days.
Great gift list. I’d like to add Race Entry Fees, an iPod, running hat, running shoes, or gift cards that can be used for all the above
I also promise to do a review on my blog if I were to win. I’ve heard awesome things about HoneyMilk. I can’t wait to try it.
Heatwarmers – only $1 each in the one spot at Target. The big packs are perfect for your butt cheeks (yes really – one for each cheek). I’m also in for iTunes gift cards, and maybe a gas card to get to all of my out of town races!
Thanks for the great list of gift ideas for our beloved athletes. My boyfriend is very into running and playing sports. His birthday is coming up real soon and I have struggled to find birthday gifts for him every year since it is so close to christmas and he always gets everything for christmas. This list came in handy. I was interested in the CEP compression socks. I found them a little cheaper on another website though with free shipping and it got to me very fast. While I was browsing the website I also found Zensah compression leg sleeves and socks. Has anyone tried Zensah? I am thinking of purchasing one of those too but would like to hear feedback first.