Stocking stuffers for the runners in your life

Featuring an insulated 18-oz. flask, the Nathan SpeedDraw 2.0 Insulated Flask allows you to carry and enjoy water (or other hydration beverages) during your longer running sessions. The double-wall insulated flask is ergonomically shaped for easy carrying and allows for easy squeezing when you need a sip. The bottle securely sits in an adjustable and breathable harness that snugly fits the runner’s hand. As an added bonus, the harness also has a stretch-mesh pocket that is sized to hold most phones, while a small zippered pocket accommodates small running essentials such as energy gels or keys.

The Run Ankle Socks hit the sweet spot for most winter runners; they provide more ankle coverage and warmth than lower-cut socks without the bulk associated with crew-height offerings. As with almost all Smartwool socks, these feature Indestructawool construction technology for exceptional durability, as well as Smartwool’s 4 Degree elite fit system for a foot-hugging fit. The addition of targeted cushioning zones and mesh panels ensures additional comfort and breathability during long runs.

At first glance, the Smartwool Active Fleece Gloves look like many other lightweight running gloves. However, these gloves actually have a number of unique and sophisticated features, making them a top choice for winter running. The most compelling detail has to be the fabric that Smartwool has spec’d–a soft merino wool on the inside with a durable and weather-resistant recycled polyester on the outside. The combination plays to each textile’s strength, creating a glove that exceeds the performance of either individual fabric. Other notable details include silicone grippers on the palm and fingers, touchscreen-compatible thumb and fingertips and reflective highlights for additional visibility when running in low-light conditions.

Built with a blend of merino wool and Tencel Lyocell, the Active Beanie is perfect for cool-weather running. The beanie’s sophisticated fabric delivers exceptional moisture management, resists odours and offers a broad temperature comfort range. Thanks to its lightweight fabric, you can put the beanie on at the start of your run, and if it gets milder, you can easily tuck it into a pocket.

If you are looking to stack the odds in your favour on race or just want to get the most from your regular training, check out the Blonyx Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 supplement. Each serving consists of 400 mg of natural dietary nitrate (derived from concentrated beet juice), which, when taken as directed, will improve muscle efficiency. This increased efficiency allows runners to maintain higher intensity training or racing speeds, resulting in improved overall performance. So, if you frequently include interval training in your running program and want to see improvements, or if you want to achieve a PB on race day, check out the Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 supplement.

These lightly flavoured electrolyte tablets are ideal for replenishing electrolytes during or after longer, more challenging runs. Simply drop a tablet into about 500 ml of water, wait a minute or two for it to dissolve and you have a refreshing, slightly fizzy hydration drink. The drink contains no preservatives or artificial sweeteners and now uses only non-GMO dextrose and stevia. For those seeking a bit more kick, Nuun adds 40 mg of caffeine to some flavours.

These easy-to-digest energy chews are packed with 95 per cent organic ingredients to deliver the energy runners need during longer workouts. Unlike some companies that use a similar formula for all their energy chews, Clif provides runners with a choice; there are flavours that contain no caffeine, some flavours that have 25 to 50 mg of caffeine, and a number of flavours with two or three times the amount of sodium.

If you spend any time running in low-light conditions, consider getting yourself a Petzl Tikka headlamp. Featuring a maximum output of 350 lumens (up to 450 if you use Petzl’s CORE 1250 rechargeable battery), the Tikka pumps out plenty of light to illuminate your path, as well as making you more visible to traffic. Other notable features include a simple one-button design, three levels of brightness, an adjustable tilting light head and a super comfy stretch headband. This is a great, simple headlamp at a great price!

Reflective Velcro-backed straps have been a visibility-boosting staple in the running community. With the SlapLit Rechargeable LED Slap Wrap (that’s a mouthful), Nite Ize has updated the classic reflective strap by eliminating the fabric-catching Velcro and adding rechargeable LED lighting. The result is a reflective strap that delivers attention-grabbing brightness via the LEDs (strobe and steady light modes), while retaining the convenience (wear it on your arm or leg) offered by the original straps. The strap has up to a five-hour run time and can easily be recharged with the micro-USB port in about 1.5 hours.

This lightweight rechargeable clip-on light is the perfect way to increase your visibility when running in low-light conditions. The light’s magnetic clip creates a slim and unobtrusive attachment system, allowing runners to attach the TagLit to clothing, belts, or packs. The TagLit features a flash or steady light mode, has up to a seven-hour run time, and can be fully recharged via its micro-USB port in just 1.5 hours. As with all small clip-on LED lights, consider using multiple units for maximum visibility.

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