MY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
'Tis the Season
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The mornings are lined with a thin sheet of frost, the afternoons shadowed by sunsets that seem to come sooner by the day. And that can mean only one thing in New England – it’s almost the holiday season. The festive family time is upon us, this week with Thanksgiving, and before we know it, we’ll be doing our traditional Christmas morning run before letting the kids rip into their gifts. But in the meantime, I’ll be transitioning into my winter wardrobe, reaching for the running gear that keeps the cold at bay.
With many Boston winters under my belt, I’ve logged my fair share of miles in not-so-merry conditions, and in doing so, have nailed down some solid staples that get me through the season. For this month’s newsletter, I thought I’d share my personal favorite cold weather running essentials in case you want to add them to your wish list. And if you’re feeling stumped on what to buy for fellow runners, I’ve broken down some of my go-to gifts. |
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FELLS TURTLENECK
One of my most loved layers for cold-weather runs, especially when the wind rolls in. The Fells Turtleneck offers warmth and coverage without being bulky. Made from a Merino wool blend with a waffle-like texture that traps air to maintain warmth, it also resists odor, making it a seasonal staple that I can wear again and again.
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ELIOT RUNNER
When we say the Eliot is an everyday trainer, we mean it – even the cold ones. Traditionally Tracksmith in that it’s both aesthetic and athletic, the responsive ride carries me through the seasons with a plush Pebax® insole. Combined with our warm and moisture-wicking Merino Tube Socks, the Runner does wonders in the winter.
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FELLS TURTLENECKOne of my most loved layers for cold-weather runs, especially when the wind rolls in. The Fells Turtleneck offers warmth and coverage without being bulky. Made from a Merino wool blend with a waffle-like texture that traps air to maintain warmth, it also resists odor, making it a seasonal staple that I can wear again and again. |
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ELIOT RUNNERWhen we say the Eliot is an everyday trainer, we mean it – even the cold ones. Traditionally Tracksmith in that it’s both aesthetic and athletic, the responsive ride carries me through the seasons with a plush Pebax® insole. Combined with our warm and moisture-wicking Merino Tube Socks, the Runner does wonders in the winter. |
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HARBOR SHELLI must admit, when we created this technical shell, we had New England weather in mind, specifically the unpredictability. I like to have this lightweight layer on hand, ready to throw over my Downeaster Crew to protect me from wind and light rain. Sometimes a full-coverage jacket is too much – the Harbor Shell is just enough. |
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BISLETT PANTSOther than the technical features that make the Bislett Pants a weapon in winter, like the considered construction with stirrups and the dryskin fabric technology, the style has a story. They’re a reimagined silhouette from the 1980s, a blast from the past that can handle a bluster. If you need more convincing, Outside named them the best winter running pants. |
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HARBOR SHELL
I must admit, when we created this technical shell, we had New England weather in mind, specifically the unpredictability. I like to have this lightweight layer on hand, ready to throw over my Downeaster Crew to protect me from wind and light rain. Sometimes a full-coverage jacket is too much – the Harbor Shell is just enough.
SHOP NOW |
BISLETT PANTS
Other than the technical features that make the Bislett Pants a weapon in winter, like the considered construction with stirrups and the dryskin fabric technology, the style has a story. They’re a reimagined silhouette from the 1980s, a blast from the past that can handle a bluster. If you need more convincing, Outside named them the best winter running pants.
SHOP NOW |
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BRIGHTON BASE LAYER
You can’t go wrong with gifting the Brighton Base Layer. Tried and true, this lightweight long sleeve features a breathable, engineered Merino mesh that touts everything I love about the natural performance fiber – it’s odor-resistant, regulates temperature, and it’s super soft. If it’s any indication, most Tracksmith employees own more than one.
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OLMSTED PACK
As runners, we seem to always be on the go. Today, it may be holiday travel, and tomorrow, a commute to a cross country meet. A solid bag that can keep up with the sport is a necessity. I love how the Olmsted offers compartments for everything us runners might need; you can slide your shoes right in alongside your laptop.
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INVERNO ACCESSORIES
We use our warm and wicking, Italian-made Inverno Blend across a range of winter accessories, including the Inverno Arm Warmers, Neck Warmer, and Gloves. These aren’t just any old stocking stuffers – they’re the performance pieces that your running buddy has been hoping for. After all, the season is all about spreading warmth.
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Quick Splits
Of course, there are other great gifts for runners besides Tracksmith products. Here are a few of my favorite items this holiday season that go beyond running gear. Rather than a present for performance, these are the types of treasures that speak to the culture behind our beloved sport. |
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For the Reader
There are a handful of great - and well known - running books. Once A Runner, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, and Running With the Buffaloes are a few of my favorites. But I also love discovering books that fly a bit under the radar. Originally published in 1983, The Purple Runner is a fun story about a group of athletes living and training in London. It’s perfect for the running nerd in your life. For young kids, Girl Running: Bobbi Gibb and the Boston Marathon and Meet Tom Longboat are two illustrated stories about pioneers in our sport with a special connection to the Boston Marathon. Both are great stories regardless of age, but as a parent myself, I loved finding running books to read to my kids. And lastly, Racing the Clock by Bernd Heinrich is an insightful read for the masters runner in your life. A biologist and naturalist, Bernd has been writing about running for decades, and this book feels like a culmination of his experiences in the sport.
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For the Collector
It’s hard to find, but I enjoy collecting old track & field memorabilia. Dave Wottle recently put some of his items up for auction on Goldin, which was one of the biggest running collections I’ve seen come available in a long time. (I was lucky enough to win his high school issued training top, but missed out on his Olympic Trials spikes.) Here are a few items that would be an unexpected surprise for the runner in your life.
Autographed Charles Dumas Trading Card: Trading cards are hot again, and it’s rare to find track & field cards, especially autographed and in good condition. Charlie Dumas was the first athlete to clear 7ft in the high jump and was the Olympic champion in 1956.
Vintage Sports Illustrated: It wasn’t rare to find running on the cover of Sports Illustrated or other sports magazines in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. This is a collection of 5 issues that feature track & field.
1996 Swatch Watch: With the Olympics returning to US soil in 2028, I did some digging for items from the last US Olympics. The Swatch Watch is still a classic in my mind. These watches will never fetch a lot of money, but as a keepsake they’re lovely.
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