The Wishlist: 13 Best Gifts for the Athlete in 2025

I’m sure you know people who, for the holiday season, just want more gear so they can get after gains and reach fitness goals. But the proper accoutrement might be difficult if you yourself is not a gym rat per se. Whether your loved one is an ultra-avid athlete or simply committing to a New Year’s resolution to be more active, these are the best gifts for the athlete in your life this holiday season.

Nike Vomero 18 GORE-TEX

Building off the massive success of the new super-stacked Vomero 18 running shoes, Nike has now decided to make a winterized version featuring a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX membrane and Storem-Tread outsole for traction on wet surfaces. You still get the max cushioning of the Vomero 18 with its dual-foam midsole (ZoomX and ReactX) and 46mm stack height.

Cadence RACE Energy Hydration Drink (12 Pack)

You simply cannot succeed (or survive) at any workout unless you’re properly hydrated. A brand we’ve really been eyeing lately is Cadence, whose zero-sugar RACE Energy Hydration Drink gives you plenty of nutrients and electrolytes. There’s also 120mg of natural caffeine and 240mg of L-Theanine for energy.

Wilson Maker Series Solar Basketball

Wilson, the brand behind the official NBA balls, recently launched its Maker Series, aiming to bring a design-forward appeal to their signature basketballs. This Solar edition looks great on your shelf with a minimalist aesthetic but can still perform both indoors and outdoors.

Hidrate Spark PRO 2 Smart Chug Water Bottle

Hidrate Spark recently came out with the sequel to its flagship smart water bottle. If you’ve ever wished your water bottle could tell you how much water you’ve had each day, the PRO 2 can do just that, with smartphone analytics and a light around the base of the bottle that lights up when it’s time to drink.

Nike Sportswear Club Men’s Oversized Knit Track Pants

Nike’s athletic wear has become legendary in the sports world for how it balances aesthetic, performance, and comfort. We wanted to highlight their midweight Oversized Knit Track Pants, which feature a classic styling and extra room in the thighs and seat. 

GoRuck Ruck Plate Carrier 3.0

Rucking has been proven to burn fat and shed weight in one of the most efficient ways possible. And GoRuck is a big reason why we’ve embraced the movement so much. Their classic Ruck Plate Carrier continues to evolve with this 3.0 version, featuring an open chest area for mobility, padding all over, ergonomic lumbar support, and a tough, lightweight Cordura back panel that helps hold plates up to 30lbs.

RPM Training Mobility Tools

When shopping for the athlete in your life, it’s difficult to pick just one item. If you’re having trouble, check out RPM Training’s Mobility Tools set, featuring four resistance bands up to 70lbs, a weighted myoball, and a foam roller.

Oakley Stunt Devil Sunglasses

Proper eyewear is crucial to any outdoor workout, and Oakley is the very brand you should be considering for that. Recently, they debuted their Stunt collection of sunglasses, introducing their new HyperGrip Technology — a new retention system developed alongside 15 pro athletes in order to lock the frames in place via the brand’s proprietary Unobtanium temple bands instead of traditional pressure points.

COROS Pace 4 Smartwatch

If you’re looking to level up your workout watch, check out COROS’ Pace 4 smartwatch, which just launched this month. While this is still an affordable alternative to other options on the market, the brand has now given its flagship GPS watch an AMOLED display and improved heart rate sensor.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 

After 6 years, Beats finally updated its flagship workout earbuds earlier this year with the Powerbeats Pro 2. This time around, the Apple-owned company added noise cancellation and even heart rate monitoring to what was already one of the best workout headphones around. 

Sauna Box SmartSteam Kit Pro

Get the benefits of a sauna without having to find a place to keep it permanently. Sauna Box is a portable sauna that weighs just 32lbs and can be set up in minutes in the comfort of your own home.

Hyperboot by Nike × Hyperice

If you’re looking for the perfect premium gift for the athlete in your life, get them the most sophisticated recovery boot on the market. After an Olympian-exclusive prototype in 2024, Nike and Hyperice dropped a recovery boot you can actually walk in, with individual controls for each shoe. Perfect for traveling or training, the boot precludes any electrical cords with its 8-hour battery life. 

BowFlex Results 1090 SelectTech Adjustable Dumbbells

Adjustable dumbbells can be an amazing way to save space in your home gym, but most options are limited to how much weight you get in the process. Recently, BowFlex gave a major upgrade to its SelectTech, raising the max weight from 52.2lbs per dumbbell to a whopping 90lbs!