It seems like the Christmas spirit is off to an early start this year... decorations on homes, shopping sales, reminders to shop and get your packages in the mail this week. I still have shopping to do. I usually offer some suggestions to people that have running family or friends to buy for. Things have changed a bit since some of those first suggestion columns. The one gift a runner always needs is a new pair of shoes. I offered suggestions on brand names, training or racing flats, and if the runners was a pronator or a supinator. The shoes at that time were in the $60 range or so. Today a good pair of running shoes (according to the ones I bought a few months ago) are now $180 - $200 dollars. Not a cheap gift anymore. Unless the gift is for a dear friend or family member there are other less expensive alternatives.
A gift down a few dollars, but depending on the brand, an actual running outfit or a running suit is always a good gift. The better, more expensive, outfits are water resistant, wind resistant, have an air vent in the back, and a mesh lining inside. And come in a variety of colors. The less expensive alternative is a pair of nice narrow leg sweat pants and a nylon jacket. Both offer a runner comfort in cold and windy conditions.
Then the practical gifts ideas include a pair of socks. There are actual running socks with elastic support in the foot and ankle areas. Some even have a left and right sock label. The less-expensive alternative is a pair of ankle high socks that have some elastic support also but come in a pack of six-to-ten in a pack. Quantity versus quality for a gift.
At the top of the gift ideas is a running wool cap. Once again you can buy a very nice wool composite watch-style cap that will keep the head warm and wick away the moisture. The ‘sock’ or ‘watch’ caps come in a wide variety of prices and styles. From the simple navy style watch cap to ones with ear flaps, total head enclosure, and tassels on the top. For the cap gift it pays to know the personality of who you are buying the cap for. I know a friend who is a professional knitter and had a cap made in Bobcat colors and a nice heavy wool knit. Since she is a close friend I was able to buy it at a very reasonable price.
The one part of the body that used to bother me on very cold days was my hands. You have a choice of mittens or gloves. Mittens are warmer but inconvenient for picking things up or zipping up a jacket. Some gloves have a knit foundation with a nylon fabric on top to keep the wind from getting to your hands. My personal favorite was a pair of yellow soft work or garden gloves. They are very inexpensive and in cold weather that makes your nose run they make great handkerchiefs.
There is always a need for a good undergarment for running. A good close mesh material will whisk away the sweat from the skin and keep you dry. Most are a soft fabric that make them very comfortable to wear. A high-tech nylon material that many race shirts are made of is a good start to buying a shirt for a runner. Running long sleeve shirts come in a variety of colors and designs to make it a special gift.
One last suggestion that I am seeing more of is a running vest. Vests once again come in a variety of materials. From a wool combination to quilted style to a linednylon style. The arms are moving and, with warm gloves, tend to stay warm. The vest keeps the upper chest and shoulders warm without any restrictive limits for the arms. Some vests come with an attached hoodie that keeps the neck and head warm. A little creative thought can make a runner’s gift.
