18 Best Gifts for Trail Runners: 2022 Ultra & Trail Running Gift Guide

Last Updated on November 22, 2022 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS

Looking for the perfect gift for the trail runners and/or ultrarunners in your life? I’ve got you covered.

Every single one of the products listed in this post I personally own, have repeatedly used as a trail/ultrarunner myself, and love enough to recommend them to other runners.

Now, a lot of gift guides for trail runners recommend things like trail running shoes, hydration vests, gps watches, or even trekking poles. I’ll be honest with you – these gift ideas are the types of running gear that trail and ultrarunners tend to be super picky about.

While gifting someone a brand new pair of $150 trail shoes is incredibly generous, if they aren’t the right fit or style a runner needs, they’ll be pretty useless.

The gifts listed in this guide are all the kinds of items that any trail or ultrarunner can enjoy, without having to worry about details like knowing their shoe brand preference, or what technology they are looking for in a watch.

And I hope you find it helpful on your quest to find just the right gift for the trail or ultrarunner in your life!

Note: many of the products below are linked with Amazon affiliate links. I do receive a small commission if you purchase through these links. That said, I highly recommend visiting your local running shop FIRST if possible, and buying locally if you can.

The Best Gifts for Trail Runners Under $25

Did you draw the name of the obsessed trail runner for your office “Secret Santa”? Or maybe you’re looking for a small gift for the trail runner in your life to let them know you’re thinking of them. These 10 gifts, all under $25

Turtle Fur Cooling & UPF 50+ Neck Gaiter

Trail runners love neck gaiters (aka “buffs”), which is why they are a dime a dozen in the off-road-endurace world.  But believe me when I tell you that this one from Turtle Fur is different (I swear!). I bought this gaiter as an impulse buy while waiting in line at a Sierra store, and I’ve used it endlessly in the last 3 years.

The Turtle Fur “Totally Tubular” cooling summer neck gaiter is made with their “Comfort Shell Lite Supersoft” performance fabric, which is lightweight, moisture-wicking, extremely breathable, and provides UPF 50+ protection from UV rays. It also features a flat-lock seam, and 4-way stretch fabric, making it incredibly comfortable to wear.

This isn’t a neck gaiter designed to keep you warm (though, I can tell you from experience it does that as well) but rather, was designed to keep you cool.

Why I love it: Listen, I have a big head (no shame here) and a lot of other neck gaiters worn over my ears or as headbands are either too tight, OR become stretched out and too loose after a few hours of wear.

The Turtle Fur gaiter, however, maintains it’s soft, stretchy, stay put feel for DAYS (literally, I’ve taken this on camping trips and worn it non-stop for 48 hours at a time).

The awesome topography print, plus the fact that the Turtle Fur company is based out of Vermont is a huge bonus for me.

UltrAspire Lumen 50S Wrist Light

Trail running headlamps and waist lights are great, but often force you to contort your entire body if you’re trying to see something that isn’t immediately in your path of light.

For example: they are a huge pain in the butt when you’re trying to dig something out of your pack at 2 am, trying to help your friend open their GU without simultaneously blinding them, or trying to not fall INTO the dark port-a-potty.

Sometimes you need a secondary light, and the UltrAspire Lumen 50S Wrist Light is just that.

The UltrAspire Lumen 50S Wrist Light features an adjustable hinge allowing the light to lay it flat against your wrist or stand it up at a 90 degree angle. 

It has three light modes: solid, blinking, and red blinking, has a battery life of approximately 20 hours, and an IPX waterproof rating of 2.

Bonus reason to love this light:

Years ago I heard an expert on running safety mention that wearing a headlamp and reflective clothing is great, but you should ALSO have some sort of light on your wrists and ankles when running in the dark. The movement of the light lets drivers and others immediately recognize you as a runner, and (hopefully) steer clear of you.

The adjustable band on the UltrAspire Lumen 50S allows you to wear it on your wrists OR on your ankles, for added safety.

Kind of a Runner More of a Weirdo Shirt

There’s likely not a trail runner out there that hasn’t heard of the Yeti Trail Runners. The Yeti’s have a site full of casual apparel and gifts for trail runners, such as this “Kind of a Runner, More of a Weirdo” shirt.

Every single thing on the “Catch Summits, Not Feelings” site is sarcastic and /or hilarious quips, will put a smile on almost any trail runners face, and will probably make non-trail runners a little uncomfortable.

(That’s probably kind of the point.)

All of the profits from the gear sold on the site goes directly back into the community to help provide a measure of comfort for homeless children and to better the trails that the Yeti Trail Runners (& their events) use. 

Why I love it: Because it’s true. I am kind of a runner, but definitely more of a weirdo.

Zensah Mini Crew Socks

Confession: I didn’t buy into the Zensah fad when seemingly every other running influencer on social media did a few years back. But then my friend Raquel bought me these Zensah Mini Crew Socks in topography print a few years ago, and I immediately proceeded to beat the sh*t out of them.

I was shocked at what a beating these socks could take, because they feel pretty thin. But even through the swampy, soaking wet trails of coastal South Carolina, I have remained blister free in these socks.

They provided enough compression that the socks stayed put, and being “mini-crew” length, kept trail debris out of my socks, even without gaiters.

As a bonus, they have activated charcoal in them, which is supposed to help keep the odor free.

Oh, and they come in crazy patterns (or solid colors, if that’s what you prefer.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit – .5

Picture this: you’re running along the trail, admiring the beautiful scenery, and thinking about how incredibly LUCKY you are to be in that moment, experiencing all that nature has to offer, when, BAM! You’re face down on the trail with a little less skin on your elbows and a little more humility in your heart.

Trail running injuries happen, and it can suck to find yourself out there without first aid when you need it.

The Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight Medical Kit is super small and compact, weighing 3.6 ounces, and has the supplies a trail runner or adventurer needs to clean and dress wounds, blisters, and other common outdoor injuries.

It fits easily in a hydration vest, and comes in a 100% waterproof, durable pouch.

Your mom will be proud of you for running with this.

UltrAspire XT Lifestyle Water Bottle

“Hydrate or Die-drate” is a common saying in the Hart household, a somewhat morbid play on the “hydrate or die” motto often heard in the endurance world.

As an athlete, it’s important to stay hydrated. As an athlete who often forgets to stay hydrated, carrying a water bottle around with me everywhere I go is the visual reminder I need to “hydrate or die-rate”.

The UltrAspire XT Lifestyle Water Bottle has been my go-to ever since I got my hands on it a few months ago.

This 750ml bottle (that’s 25.36 oz, for my Imperial crew) features an aggressive thread cap for a leak-proof seal, and a stainless steel cover which helps to shockproof the bottle from drop damage. (I bring this bottle to the gym, and I inadvertently drop it more than I care to admit).  

The bottle itself has an oval shape with textured surfaces on each side which allows for a more natural grip.  It also allows you to shove the bottle into a pockets on a race pack, and have the bottle sit more comfortably against your body. 

BUT BEST OF ALL!  The wide mouth makes it easier to clean.  It’s the little things that bring me joy…

Tecnu Detox Wipes

I live in the Southeast, where the plants are seemingly all out to make you miserable.

OK that’s a bit of a stretch, but the poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac is ruthless down here, practically year round. While I try to avoid these plants, sometimes contact with them is inevitable.

Tecnu Detox Wipes remove poison ivy & poison oak urushiol (the stuff that causes the rash), as well as plant & tree pitch, tar, and other oily substances from your skin immediately, rather than having to wait until you get home to shower.

 As a bonus, these are pet friendly and can be used on a trail dog who went stomping through the field of poison ivy as well.

Gift these to the trail runner in your life to leave in their trail bag as a “you’ll be really glad you have them when you need them” item.

I F*cking Love It Out Here Socks

I mean…these pretty much speak for themselves, right? Among all of the gifts for trail runners, these might be my favorite.

While these Blue Q Novelty socks are not specifically running socks (more of casual wear), they make a hilarious trail runner gift.

RunGoo Blister Prevention Cream

Anti-chafing/ anti-blister/endurance athlete “lube” really is the kind of thing that boils down to personal preference. But in my 15 years of running / 7 years of ultrarunning, RunGoo Blister Prevention Cream is the best stuff I’ve found, hands down.

It’s kept my feet blister free, even during 100 milers where every 14 miles I was forced to wade through two miles of knee deep swamp water. But I can’t be mad at the race director for that, because he was the one who introduced me to RunGoo in the first place.

Kavu Pixie Pouch

Another impulse buy I’ve used endlessly since the day I brought it home. The Kavu Pixie Pouch is a burly, conveniently sized bag that holds all of my post-run (or race) toiletries.

Why I love it: It’s durable, and just the right size (long enough for a toothbrush, but no wasted space). I’ve carried it solo, or tossed it in a backpack. It keeps everything right where I need it

Rad Rounds Recovery & Mobility Balls

Forget bulky foam rollers and heavy massage guns, using these small RAD Rounds Recovery & Mobility Balls to help alleviate tightness and inflammation through trigger point therapy is where it’s at.

Not only are you able to really pinpoint and get to the source of discomfort with these balls, but they are SO MUCH EASIER to use and travel with.

“Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” – 2nd Edition

I am an exercise science nerd, and get extra geeked out when we’re talking trail and ultrarunning specific exercise science. But, I understand that the “science” is not only very boring to some, but can be confusing.

The book “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” (2nd edition) by Coach Jason Koop does a FANTASTIC job of presenting evidence based training methodologies in this easy to read and understand book, allowing any trail or ultrarunner to learn and apply the methods to their own training.

Even if you (or your runner) isn’t ultramarathon training (or even an ultra runner yet), there are training methods and suggestiosn that can be applied to marathon training, or even shorter distances.  This is a great book for any runner to have in their library

Top Gifts for Trail Runners Under $50

The following gear and gifts are a little pricer, but worth every penny.

Ultimate Direction Ultra Flip Glove

For years and years, I ran winter trail and ultra races wearing mittens my mom knit for me. They’re warm, they are made with love…they just aren’t very packable, and certainly aren’t waterproof.

Then I discovered the Ultimate Direction Ultra Flip Glove.

These are, hands down, the best running gloves I have used to date. They are lightweight, touchscreen compatible and breathable. And the best part? The 5-finger glove becomes 20 degrees warmer with a flip of the stowable mitt. 

The waterproof Cordura flip mitt adds an additional layer, but virtually no extra weight or bulk.

Unlike mom’s mittens, they dry quickly, and pack down really small (sorry mom!)

Advanced Elements PackLite Roll Top Dry Bag Set

People often see dry bags and assume they are only for keeping the things you want to stay dry INSIDE of them. Well I’m here to tell you that they also work amazingly well in keeping gross, wet, muddy stuff contained as well.

Like: all of the muddy, wet socks, gaiters, and shoes you take off at the trail head and hesitate throwing in the back of your car, knowing the upholstery is doomed.

The Hart household uses these specific Advanced Elements PackLite Roll Top Dry Bags for so many things, we currently own FOUR sets.

Pro tip: they also make great ultramarathon drop bags/transition bags for race day.

Orange Mud Transition Wrap Extreme

The Orange Mud Transition Wrap Extreme is making it onto the Holiday Gift Guide / best gifts for trail runners list for the second year in a row because this thing is amazing. It’s a step up from the original orange mud transition wrap in that it has a TPU membrane layered in-between the the towel itself, making it waterproof.

Whether you are dripping sweat from a trail run in the summer heat, or soaked from a winter rainy or snowy run, the orange mud transition wrap is perfect for keeping your car seat protected from becoming a dirtbag as well.

I am also unashamed to admit that I’ve tossed it at my 13 year who looked at me from the backseat, all ten fingers covered in a thick layer of Cheeto dust, and said “what am I supposed to do about this, mom?”.

Here kid, this thing can go in the washing machine.

It also has a buckle/belt system that will hold it in place around your waist, allowing you to change post run even in the most public of places. Many a parking lot has seen post-run-Heather strip off her mud soaked shorts under this towel. 10/10 recommend.

Baleaf Sun Hoodie

This Baleaf Sun Hoodie found it’s way to my closet few years ago as a part of a blog product review. It quickly passed the test, and became a regular part of my adventure wardrobe.

(click here for the men’s version)

It’s got a built-in hood and neck gaiter, with mesh breathing holes to help keep your sunglasses clear without fogging up.  Pure magic. 

The fabric is lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick drying, and UPF 50+ to protect  your skin from the harmful UVA/UVB rays.

Oh, and there’s thumbholes, as seen in this action shot below at the 2021 Trotting for Tatas 9 Hour Ultra.

While this is another product designed to “keep you cool”, it also works really well as a base layer to keep you warm. It’s a regular part of my adventure racing & training wardrobe.

OOfos Recovery Sandals

Oofos Recovery Sandals are one of those products that I personally thought were just overrated flip flops…until I put my feet in them. Now, I rarely go for a long run or race WITOUT bringing my Oofos with me to immediately put on once I’m done.

What’s so great about Oofos? The OOfoam Recovery Technology absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear foam, giving your feet the break they need, with a patented footbed that cradle your arches to reduce stress on sore feet, ankles, knees, and lower back

Why I love them: They’re freaking comfortable. End of story. But I’ll also add: they are durable as hell (I’ve had mine for over 5 years now), and they are machine washable.

If you or your runner aren’t a fan of the “thong” flip flop style, Oofos also offers a recovery slide. Great for pairing with compression socks!

Liquid I.V. Sampler Pack

I was hesitant to include a nutrition/hydration option in this gift guide, as I believe nutrition and hydration preferences are highly individual.

But, Liquid I.V. is hands down the best electrolyte supplement I have found so far, and this is my list, so I’m adding it.

Unlike many other electrolyte supplements on the market, Liquid I.V. contains glucose in addition to sodium and potassium, which helps your body rehydrate faster. Plus, I personally love the flavors.

As a bonus, if you use the code “RELENTLESSFORWARDCOMMOTION” at check out, you will receive 20% off of your order.

So there you have it, my 2022 recommendations for the best gifts for trail runners, ultrarunners, or other trail-loving-athletes in your life. I hope this helped. Happy shopping!