RUN THE WILD - Christmas Gifting

Neck Warmers: Over the winter months, getting your layering right to keep you warm and dry without overheating can be a challenge, and that’s where accessories like a neck warmer come into their own. Incredibly multi-functional, you can wear it around your neck to keep out the cold, use it on your head to keep the sun off your head or act as a sweatband when you’re picking up the pace. With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why a neck warmer is a must for the runner in your life.

Running Cap: Rain or shine, a cap is perfect in all weather. Shielding the sun from your eyes on brighter days and helping keep the rain at bay when the weather turns, they can be used in all conditions and look great too. So, add a touch of style to their running wardrobe by gifting them a cap from their favourite running brand.

Running Hat: Running through autumn and winter in the UK can take commitment, and when facing cooler mornings or evenings, having the right kit will help keep you motivated. That’s why we recommend gifting your loved ones a running hat. Designed to keep them warm and cosy whilst being breathable and quick to dry, they’re perfect for cold days or to keep to warm post-event.

Headphones: Quality running headphones are a great gift for runners who likes audible distraction while working out. Functional with sweat and rain and designed to be stable and stay in place through a workout, they were made for people who love to get active. You'll find a range of different technologies on offer, from wireless headphones to bone-conduction headphones, which are great for road runners who need to stay alert to passing traffic.

Sports Odour Absorber: These are great for popping in shoes and keeping everyone in the house happy. It doesn’t matter how clean you keep your shoes, they’re going to get smelly after a while, and odour absorbers are the answer. The perfect gift for any runner, and the giver will benefit too!

First Aid Kit: Not always at the forethought of a runner’s mind, but anyone who has found themselves dealing with a first aid situation out on the trails knows that a stocked first aid kit can be vital in turning around a tricky situation. Waterproof (against rain and sweat) and efficiently packed, it is a useful bit of kit.

Running Rucksack: Covering a broad range of budgets and needs, rucksacks are useful for all runners, but particularly those who need to carry all their accessories when running in wild places. For runs up to a few hours where only a few gels, an extra layer, and water are needed, a 5L pack should be adequate. For days out on the trails in varying weather conditions, up to 12 litres should suffice, while for multi-day adventures, you may want to consider a larger pack.

Head Torch: In the depths of winter, the daylight running window is so small, that a quality head torch can be a great way of getting out even when it’s dark. When choosing a head torch, look for lumens of at least 200lm to provide plenty of light, balanced weight so that it doesn’t bounce around when on the go, and rechargeable batteries, which give a better power output.

Run Laces: The perfect stocking filler running laces are great for serious runners. And, for those looking to save time, Run Lock Laces are worth considering. The cheat’s way of saving precious seconds tying and untying laces, they will revolutionise those early morning and post-work runs. 

Racing Belt: Whether you’re a keen supporter or fellow racer, a race belt is a gift everyone can appreciate. Not only does it make attaching a race number a doddle and save precious time fiddling around with safety pins, but it also gives you somewhere to stow away a few energy gels during the event. Honestly, you will wonder how you survived without one.

Gels: Anyone getting into racing nutrition knows how important it is to get the right gel or energy bar.  Unless you know their favourite, we recommend choosing a variety of makes and flavours to help them find what works best for them.

Tape: Runners love getting covered in tape - it’s the war paint of the racer! But in all seriousness, running tape is the best friend of racers as it can provide much-needed support to muscles throughout training and on race day. It’s also a great stocking filler and can prove an entertaining gift as everyone has a go taping each other up.

A Massage Gun: The next best thing to having a regular sports massage is access to a massage gun. These handheld devices have variable speed settings to help aid muscle recovery from the comfort of home. Sure, they may be an investment piece, but who said they were just for runners?

A Running Watch: A smartwatch is the ultimate must-have for anyone serious about running and will be warmly received this Christmas. Whether they’re a technical runner who loves data and wants accurate running metrics or are looking for navigation on the go, a smartwatch can do it all. Many will even enable you to answer phone calls on the move, play music, and do pretty much everything other than actually running. 

A Running Adventure!: Why not help fuel your loved one’s passion for running by booking them onto a running adventure with Run the Wild? We offer a host of runs, from 10km runs in the Chilterns to multi-day Mont Blanc trips in the Alps. Learn how to trail run, race like a pro or even get some coaching. From beginners to experienced runners, there really is something for everyone!