Gifts for Running in Cold Weather

Gift Guide 2023 | Fleet Feet

By The Fleet Feet Editors Updated on

Best Cold-Weather Gifts for Runners

Shopping for the best gifts for runners and looking for something they can use right away this winter?

Figuring out what to wear when running in the cold can be a challenge for runners. Having the best cold weather running gear can be a huge help for those who like to brave the outdoors when the temperature drops and conditions are less than ideal. Gifting your runner some quality layers for winter running can be the difference between another night inside on the treadmill and a magical run in a winter wonderland.

With over 45 years of experience outfitting, training and sweating alongside runners of all different abilities, our team of Fleet Feet Editors handpicked our favorite gear that keeps us comfortable, warm and safe during our winter runs.

Going from cold (45-55°F) to colder (25-45°F) to coldest (25°F and below), this list of the 15 best cold weather gifts for runners has winter running jackets, pants, tights, waterproof running shoes and accessories to keep your runner nice and cozy during their winter excursions.

Cold Weather Running Gifts

Colder Weather Running Gifts

Coldest Weather Running Gifts

[This article is part of our 2023 Gift Guide for Runners. See all the best gifts for runners by price, category and more. Can’t make up your mind? No worries. Check out our gift cards for a gift that keeps on giving.]

Cold Weather Running Gifts

Cut outs of the items on the list of gifts for cold weather with the words "Gift guide: gifts for cold weather"
Give the Gift of Mid-Layers
Men's On Climate Shirt Thumbnail

On Climate Shirt

$120

This long sleeve quarter zip will be the mid-layer top they reach for as soon as there’s a chill in the air. The On Climate Shirt adapts to their body temperature by insulating the skin when it is chilly out and airing it out when it heats up, so they’ll always be at the perfect temperature.

The thumb holes and watch window in the sleeves are thoughtful touches that come in big time on a cold day to keep their hands warm and watch in view.

Give the Gift of Versatility
Women's Brooks Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0 Thumbnail

Brooks Shield Hybrid Vest 2.0

$115

Running in cold weather can be a back-and-forth battle between too hot and too cold. A quality running vest is versatile for almost all weather conditions.

When the temperature isn’t quite cold enough to break out the jacket, the Brooks Hybrid Shield Vest 2.0 keeps their core warm using Thermolite® insulation and has wind and water protection. Zippered side pockets work great to hold their gloves when their hands get too hot, while moisture-wicking materials keep their back from getting too sweaty.

Give the Gift of Comfy
Men's Saucony Solstice Jogger Thumbnail

Saucony Solstice Jogger

$85

When a chill is in the air and they need to slip into a comfy pair of sweats, look no further than the Saucony Solstice Jogger for a functional, stylish and comfortable gift.

The recycled polyester fabric is brushed with a soft lining for extra warmth and coziness. Drop-in side pockets and a zippered back pocket can stash their essentials when they’re working out or on the move.

An external drawcord lets them adjust the waist and helps to keep these winter joggers in place when they are running on a cold winter evening or relaxing by the fireplace.

Give the Gift of Safety
Nathan Vibe Reflective Vest Thumbnail

Nathan Vibe Reflective Vest

$25

Running during the winter often means less daylight. Layering up to go outside for a run can often cover up a lot of reflective features on running apparel. To help your runner be seen by drivers, cyclists and other runners, the Nathan Vibe Reflective Vest provides 360 degrees of visibility.

It’s comfortable and easy to fit on top of layers, like a heavy jacket, making it a great gift that runners can use right away.

Give the Gift of Multi-Sport Performance
Women's Craft ADV Charge Warm Jacket Thumbnail

Craft Charge Warm Jacket

$125

The Craft Charge Warm Jacket is a multi-sport jacket that they can use for everything from cross-country skiing and hiking to running and snowshoeing. It has quilted padding and wind protective fabric at the front to give them superior warmth and keep the chill from cutting through.

Thoughtful details like thumb grips at the sleeve, secure zip side pockets and reflective prints to stand out in the dark make this jacket a winter running staple.

Give Her the Gift of Support
Women's Vuori Yosemite Bra Thumbnail

Vuori Yosemite Bra

$58

Vuori’s Yosemite Bra won’t necessarily keep her warm, but it’s an essential piece of running gear for women. Because a bra is the first layer that touches her skin, she wants something breathable, quick-drying and soft. Aside from the amazing support and comfort, the Yosemite Bra is super soft to the touch, stretchy and uses moisture-wicking and anti-odor fabrics.

Great for chilly fall hikes, training and traveling, the Vuori Yosemite Bra is up for any adventure. If you’re shopping for great running gifts for women, a reliably comfortable sports bra is one of the most important pieces of gear a woman can own.

Give the Gift of Warm and Cozy Feet
Women's OOFOS OOcoozie Low Thumbnail

OOFOS OOcoozie Low Shoes

$120
Keep their feet warm and comfortable after their run with a pair of OOFOS OOcoozie Low shoes. These recovery shoes feature OOFOS’ famous foam footbed that cradles their feet and reduces stress on their knees and ankles. The warm vegan sherpa upper takes the cozy factor to the next level and provides warmth after a cold hard run.

Colder Weather Running Gifts

Give the Gift of Warm Hands
Brooks Fusion Midweight Glove Thumbnail

Brooks Fusion Midweight Glove

$34

These running gloves are the perfect present to give someone who runs in the cold. Warm fabric on the back will block the wind and keep their digits warm, while mesh inserts in the palms prevent their hands from getting too sweaty.

Plus, the fingertips are touch screen compatible, so they won’t have to risk cold hands to answer a call or text.

Give the Gift of Fun Style
Sprints Winter Hat Thumbnail

Sprints Winter Hat

$33
Every runner needs a pom hat for their cold winter runs and post-run coffees with friends. The Sprints Winter Hat will keep your runner stylish and warm with fun and whimsical patterns that will brighten anyone's day.
Give the Gift of Streamlined Tights
Men's Saucony Solstice 2.0 Tight Thumbnail

Saucony Solstice 2.0 Tights

$80

If they are planning to run outside this winter, Saucony’s Solstice 2.0 Tight will be perfect for all of their workouts.

These streamlined tights keep you warm and comfortable during runs in cold weather thanks to their soft performance fabric that wicks away your sweat before it chills you. They have a mid-rise waistband and adjustable drawcord to keep them in place whether you’re wearing them on their own or layering them underneath pants.

Saucony also added reflective logos and stripes around the ankles for better visibility during dark winter runs.

Give the Gift of Waterproof Runs
Men's KARHU Ikoni Trail WR Thumbnail

Karhu Ikoni Trail WR

$160

When it’s really wet and cold, a good pair of wool running socks aren’t enough to keep their feet dry and warm. That’s where waterproof running shoes come in. The KARHU Ikoni Trail WR comes with a waterproof inner bootie that will keep their feet dry as they run through the snow, rain and slush this winter.

Inspired by the varied landscape of Finland, the Ikoni Trail WR has rugged durability and specialized lugs for grip that can handle both technical and non-technical terrain, so they’ll be surefooted and confident no matter what conditions they’re running in.

Give the Gift of Rain Protection
Women's Saucony Drizzle 2.0 Jacket Thumbnail

Saucony Drizzle 2.0 Jacket

$160

Wet weather can make a cold day feel even colder.

The Saucony Drizzle Jacket is one of our favorite jackets to throw on top of our base or mid-layer top. It’s waterproof, windproof and breathable to keep the rain, sleet or snow off and let your insulating clothes underneath do their job.

Reflective trim and logo marks will help them stay visible and safe no matter the conditions, while sleek colorways will keep them running in style.

Give the Gift of Warm Ears
Brooks Notch Thermal Headband Thumbnail

Brooks Notch Thermal Head Band

$24

A headband can be a great way to help them keep their ears warm without the overheating and irritation that can come from a beanie. Plus, they can feel the wind go through their hair as they run.

The Brooks Notch Thermal Headband has a fleece interior that's soft on the skin and a bluesign-certified antimicrobial finish that keeps it fresh for longer.

Coldest Weather Running Gifts

Give the Gift of Outer-Layers
Men's Mizuno Breath Thermo® FZ Jacket Thumbnail

Mizuno Breath Thermo FZ Jacket

$160

So they really insist on running in the coldest weather? We can’t blame them, but they may want to bulk up their outer layer.

The Mizuno Breath Thermo FZ Jacket doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to braving the elements. It’s water and wind-resistant and has fully reflective, 360-degree visibility for running in low-light conditions.

It uses Mizuno’s super warm Breath Thermo fabric, which uses their own body’s escaping vapors to generate heat and keep them warm, even in the fiercest winter weather. A full zipper front lets them adjust their coverage and temperature, while zippered hand and chest pockets keep their belongings safe and secure.

And like any of the best cold weather running gear, it wicks moisture away to keep them dry and comfortable.

Give the Gift of Warm Running Tights
Men's Craft ADV Essence Warm Tight Thumbnail

Craft ADV Essence Warm Tights

$85

These soft and stretchy winter running tights will be perfect for their cold-weather long runs. When the temperatures get below 25°F, they can wear the Craft ADV Essence Warm Tights as an outer layer or base layer underneath a pair of joggers or snow pants.

The silky smooth polyester and jersey fabric will keep them warm without irritating their skin, and the compression feels great during long days outdoors.

Give the Gift of Minimalist Style
On Merino Beanie Thumbnail

On Merino Beanie

$50

If you're buying a cold-weather gift for a runner that likes minimalist style and ultra-versatility, they will love the On Merino Beanie. Sleek and thoughtfully crafted using 100% merino wool, this running beanie keeps your head toasty while the fast-drying wool wicks away moisture from sweat, rain or snow.

Ready for a cold run or a cold beer at the brewery, the On Merino Beanie is odor-resistant and wrinkle-proof letting you wear it all the time with any outfit.

Give the Gift of Hybrid Mittens
Craft Hybrid Weather Glove Thumbnail

Craft Hybrid Weather Glove

$40
One of the best gifts for runners under $50, Craft’s Hybrid Weather Glove combines safety and weather protection in a lightweight package. For extra warmth on especially windy or cold days, this winter running glove has a brushed wind and waterproof cover that they can easily pull on or off depending on the conditions. The gloves are also compatible with smartphone screens so they do have to expose their hands to the cold when they want to change playlists or check a text message. With reflective details for added safety and visibility, the Craft Hybrid Weather Glove is a swiss-army knife glove that gives them warmth and convenience in chilly or wet conditions.
Give the Gift of Merino Wool
Feetures Merino 10 Cushion Quarter Sock Thumbnail

Feetures Merino 10 Cushion Quarter Sock

$20

Most running shoes are extremely breathable and lightweight which doesn’t always bode well for colder temps. And numb toes can be one of the most uncomfortable feelings during a run.

Feetures Merino 10 Cushion Quarter Socks will keep feet warm, dry and cushioned in cold or wet conditions. On top of how warm they are, Merino wool is incredible at wicking moisture away to prevent sweat and dampness from chilling your feet.

Targeted compression and extra cushioning in high-impact areas keep the feet cozy and comfortable while the quarter-length sock height gives the ankles just enough coverage from the elements.

More Gifts for Runners

We narrowed down our favorite products by category so whether your runner likes to crush marathons or enjoys the daily stress-relief, these gifts will make your holiday shopping easy.

How We Picked the Best Running Gifts for Colder-Weather Running

With more than 45 years of experience, Fleet Feet is the expert in running (and gifting). What makes the perfect gift for a runner comes down to the personal experience, goals, preferences and style of that runner. We use a combination of real-life use, quality of materials, seasonal trends and our own top-seller lists to pick out the best winter running gifts. With all that in mind, we picked gear that lived up to our personal (and professional) expectations. Plus, as people who live and breathe running, we know what we would like to unwrap ourselves.

Why You Should Trust Us

At Fleet Feet one of our core values is that it is a privilege to serve. We take the thought of giving you advice and guiding you to pick out the perfect gift for the runner in your life very seriously and are honored that you chose to read this. Fleet Feet is the No. 1 run specialty store in the country. We serve more than 3 million customers across 250+ locations annually and have completed more than 5 million 3D foot scans (and counting) of different runners and walkers’ feet. Our goal is to help every customer find the perfect shoes, apparel and gear for their goals.

We don’t just sell shoes and gear, we run, walk and hike with you in those shoes. We have had hundreds of thousands of runners and walkers participate in our training programs, community runs and events every year. We have locations all over the country running in the snow, desert and everything in between.

We take our sales data and talk with the different shoe companies, designers and our network of runners, walkers and hikers to cultivate this list of the best gift ideas winter runners. We also review shoes and gear ourselves to provide you with the best information possible when making these guides. We update this guide regularly to make sure you have the latest information possible to make the best decision for you when it comes to giving your loved one a gift.

Standing Behind Our Picks

We picked the best cold-weather gifts for runners based on what we think will work for the most people in most situations. If you buy a gift from us and you don’t love the way it looks, fits or performs, bring them back within 60 days for a full refund.

Plus, we offer free shipping on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.