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Whether you have that one member of the family that just lives to workout, or are trying to encourage a loved one to get moving again – athletic apparel and gear can make for a great holiday gift. Unfortunately, it can often be hard to track down the right gear to gift during this time of year. That is where we come in.
We took the time to comb through all of the best athletic gear and apparel for gifting and then narrowed it all down to a list of 20 solid picks. Whether you’re an workout fanatic yourself, or just trying to find something the avid cross-fitter, avid cyclist, or runner in your life – we’re more than confident that you’ll be able to find something here in our rundown of the best athletic gifts for men. Protein powder, awesome shoulder exercise machines, and more all have a spot below. Scroll on through.
Iffley Road Sheen Gilet
Wet winter weather is not kind to runners. Low temperatures keep muscles stiff, chilly air bites the face, and unfriendly skies often open up at inopportune times. There isn’t much runners can do about the former two, but they can at least stay dry with Iffley Road’s Sheen Gilet. Each piece is made from highly technical tri-layer Italian softshell, boasts a stowaway back pocket, reflective piping, a signature tri-stripe hanging loop, and an industry leading Event membrane. An ideal pick for the dedicated, all-weather runner.
Smartwool PhD Run Light Socks
A pair of sturdy socks made from a combination of merino wool, nylon, and elastane. Purpose-built for running they feature a seamless toe an achilles tab to prevent chafing. You can trust that these are quality built because they’re made right here in the U.S. of A.
MiiR Slate Water Bottle
No item of gear is more important than a solid bottle of water. This one from MiiR is made from a kitchen-grade stainless steel and treated with a hard-shell chip resistant finish that’ll stand up to rough and tumble daily use.
Kettle Gryp
Kettle bells are great for working out, but awful for travel. Or at least they were before the Kettle Gryp. This brilliant, super portable grip turns any set of dumbbells into a kettle bell. An ideal pick for the road-warrior fitness freak. Oh yeah. And it is made right here in the states.
Set For Set Steel Mace
Want a workout as tough as your are? Pick up one of these steel mace’s from Set for Set. They’re great for a whole bevy of workouts in the gym or at home.
Paleo Pro Protein Powder
A great workout plan is nothing without a solid diet to back it up. This supplement from Paleo Pro boasts a hefty 26 grams of protein per serving, but doesn’t have any dairy, soy, or whey. Instead, it uses grass-fed beef and eggs that are then dried and ground into a fine powder, and mixed with Monk Fruit Extract.
Ten Thousand Interval Tank
Give the gift of staying cool and dry even through the toughest runs and workouts. This tank top from upstart athletic brand Ten Thousand is made from an Italian sweat-wicking and quick dry fabric that also manages to be breathable and chafe-free thanks to its flat lock seams. And to top it off – it looks sharp as hell, too.
GoRuck Gym Shorts
Not long ago GoRuck, the famous backpack brand, started rolling out their own line of athletic apparel. One of our favorite picks? Their Gym Shorts. Where the shorts lack in imaginative naming, they make up for in their toughness and comfort. They’re abrasion resistant, fast drying, and made fight here in the United States. What more could you ask for?
Onnit Death Star Slam Ball
This officially licensed Death Star slam ball is an ideal gift for the athlete looking to add a little inter-galactic flair into their otherwise brutal workouts. Weighing in at 20-pounds and measuring 10-inches in diameter, the durable and grippy ball is great for serious use in your box or gym. Just because your WOD makes you want to throw-up and die doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, too.
Outdoor Voices New Runningman Sweats
A pair of incredibly comfortable sweats from one of our favorite athletic apparel brands. Made from a combination of polyesters and spandex they have a lightweight and flexible feel ideal for cold weather jogs, hikes, or just lazy days doing chores.
HyperIce Hypersphere
Rest and recovery is just as important for an athlete as working out. This device from HyperIce makes that a little bit easier. It both targets pressure points on muscles and helps loosen them thanks to three high-intensity vibration settings.
SKLZ Weighted Vest Pro
Want to further challenge that athlete in your life? Set them up with this weighted vest from SKLZ. Built to fit both as a vest or a sandbag – it’ll turn pull-ups and pushups into brutal, muscle building exercises.
Aer Gym Duffel 2
This bag from San Francisco-based backpack brand Aer makes carrying your gear to and from the gym a simple, seamless experience. Thanks to its 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon construction the gym bag is water resistant and tough enough to stand up to daily use.
Adidas UltraBoost
A pair of running shoes that look as good as they are capable. Featuring a knit upper and a boost midsole – they have a seamless feel and super comfortable ride. Ideal for wearing to the gym, or simply out on the town.
Crossover Symmetry Gen 3 System
Targeting your back and shoulders has never been easier than with the Crossover Symmetry Gen3 System. The tough set of resistance bands can be attached to a door, squat rack, or a set of wall mounts and used for a wide array of muscle-burning workouts.
District Vision Keiichi Sunglasses
Have a dedicated runner in your family or group of friends. Set them up with some solid sun-blockers. This pair from District Vision are hands-down the coolest on the market. The feature non-polarized plastic lenses, and an attractive lightweight frame.
ProBar Mobility System
Probar is a special mobility system that makes use of a patented twist-and-pull feature paired with spring-loaded resistance to help you move better and correct poor posture and movement. An ideal recovery and stretch tool tool for swimmers, pitchers, and general athletes.
Bose SoundSport Headphones
A little bit of aural motivation can go a long way. These wireless, water repellent workout headphones from Bose are purpose built for athletes looking to push themselves to the next level. They boast a 5-hour playtime and come with a fast-charging case.
Rapha Helmet
Developed with Giro and featuring MIPS technology, this helmet from Rapha is not only incredibly attractive, but it is safe, light, and fast. An ideal pick for the kit-obsessed cyclist.
Apple Watch Series 3
Hands-down one of the best athletic trackers out there today is the Apple Watch Series 3. Not only does it look incredibly sharp on your wrist – but it can track sleep, heart rate, is water resistant – and features GPS and GLONASS among many, many other things.
12 Activewear Brands You Should Know
Looking for some new and high-quality activewear bands in the space? Take your holiday shopping to the next level with a little help from this list of 12 activewear brands you should know.
