2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Walkers: Perfect Presents for Every Budget
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It’s that time again: time for wish lists and shopping trips and late-night gift-wrapping sessions! While I love the joy I get on Christmas morning from watching my daughter (and my husband, too) opening the gifts that I’ve picked out for them, I know that the hunt for the perfect gift can be a bit of a challenge. I also know that no one ever knows what to get for me—and I often end up getting some pretty random stuff.
So for those of you who are struggling to come up with items to add to your wish list—or you’re trying to do some shopping for your favorite walker—I have ideas! For some walking basics, check out last year’s gift guide. Or, if you’re looking for some more ideas, I’ve got plenty of them here!
Health Club Membership/Passes
There’s nothing quite like walking outside, breathing in the fresh air. But sometimes a walk outside isn’t possible—whether the weather isn’t cooperating or shorter days make finding walking time during daylight more difficult—so it’s good to have a backup plan. Gyms and recreational centers offer a great place to go on those other days. All have treadmills and other exercise equipment—and some even offer indoor tracks for walking. So they’re perfect for walking and cross-training.
Whether you’re able to get a full membership, a three-month membership to get them through the worst of winter, or some passes for occasional visits on the worst days, your favorite walker will be thrilled to have the gym to fall back on when walking outside just isn’t an option.
Walking Pad
As I just mentioned, sometimes walking outside isn’t possible—but sometimes getting to a gym isn’t realistic, either. There are those days when the family is busy and someone needs to stay in the house with the kids—and a walking pad allows you to get in those steps while still being around to make sure that no one burns the house down. Treadmills are great, but they can be pricey—so walking pads are a great alternative. They don’t come with all of the bells and whistles, but they’re small and light (and can usually fit under your couch).
Shoe Deodorizers
After a long walk on a hot day, your favorite shoes can start to smell like something died in them—and they need to be banished to the garage. But with a little help from these Boot Bananas, they can smell like new again for anywhere from six months to a year (which, let’s face it, is probably longer than most walking shoes last anyway). Not only that, but they’re super cute and quirky—so they make great gifts.
TheraICE Headache Relief Cap
This one isn’t necessarily walking related, but it’s definitely something that all of my walking friends would be happy to have handy—whether it’s for headache relief or a little bit of self-care at the end of another hectic day.
The TheraICE cap is a wonderfully squishy cap made of a soft gel that can be used either for cold or heat relief of headaches. You can keep it in the freezer or pop it in the microwave—and then slide it on for soothing relief that covers your whole head. It’s great for relaxing after a long walk—or for battling migraines.
Hidden Pocket Headband
I’ll admit that motherhood has made me a bit of a hoarder. Those days of carrying a diaper bag with everything I could possibly need while away from the house for an hour have given me this overwhelming need to have all of the necessities handy at all times—even when I’m on the trail. I can’t live without leggings with pockets—and I always carry a pack for my water and keys and lip balm and more. But if you still need more room (and, really, who doesn’t?), you can pick up a Smunchys headband. It comes with a secret hidden pouch that can hold your keys, your Chapstick, and more while also keeping your hair out of your face. It’s a win-win!
Walking Journal
I love to keep track of my daily walks—and the thoughts and ideas that come up along the way. That’s why I created the printable walking journal that’s available in the Will Walk for Coffee Etsy shop.
Or, if you’d like something that’s already printed and bound—with lots of fun stickers, too—you can pick up this wellness planner from Amazon.
Comfy Insoles
As someone who’s suffered from foot and ankle pain since I was a kid, I understand what a luxury it is to be able to walk without pain. That’s why I’m constantly on the lookout for the very best, most comfortable shoes. But you can also add an extra level of pain protection to your favorite walking shoes with some orthotic insoles—like these Protalus T-100 Elite insoles. They’re designed to help align your body to reduce stress on your ankles, knees, and hips.
Portable Charger
Most of us have a bunch of apps running during our walks—from fitness trackers to audiobooks or music—and there’s nothing worse than having your phone die before you finish your walk. It’s good have a charging option handy, so you never end up with dropped workouts or silent walks.
There are so many different options available, but when you’re carrying the bare minimum on the trail, the smaller the better. Stick with something that easily fits in a small pack.
Walking Poles
Whether your favorite walkers love trekking through more challenging terrain or they just want to add a new challenge to their daily walks, walking poles are great for added support and stability but also for building more upper body strength.
Hiking Pants
A good pair of hiking pants is a must-have for every walker’s closet. They’re perfect for a light layer for summer hikes or an extra layer when the weather is chilly. My favorites come from Baleaf (use KRISTINKRAMER for an extra 10% off), but these Coalatree Trailhead Pants are a good pick, too.
Light-Up Vest
When the days are short, it gets harder and harder to find enough daylight hours for a walk. But with the Noxgear Tracer2 vest, walkers can stay visible for up to a quarter of a mile, thanks to the colorful LED lights. Of course, I still recommend walking in pairs for safety reasons—but visibility is so important for anyone who walks in the mornings or evenings.
Laundry Bag
I once had a friend join me in walking a race, and she commented on how nice it would be to do a race without getting sweaty. Um…no. If you’re walking at anything above a slow, leisurely stroll (especially on a warm day), you’ll still sweat. And at the end of a long walk, your clothes will probably be a little bit stinky. Whether you’re carrying your walking clothes home from the gym or bringing them home from a big race, STNKY bags definitely come in handy. Just pop your sweaty clothes in the bag and zip them shut—and when it’s laundry time, you can unzip the bottom to reveal the inner mesh bag and throw the bag (and your stinky clothes) right in the wash.
Fun Walking Shirts
I’ve built up a pretty impressive collection of walking shirts—from race shirts to shirts with cute walking sayings. And they’re usually the first shirts I reach for when I’m getting ready. I’m always on the lookout for fun designs (I’ve even got a board full of them on the Will Walk for Coffee Pinterest account). But you can also find some fun designs in the Will Walk for Coffee Etsy shop.
From small stocking stuffers to big, extravagant gifts—we’ve covered a little bit of something for every walker (and every budget). What’s on your holiday wish list?
Have you ever gotten the best walking gift? What was it?
