Christmas Kicks And Running Gifts

Anew pair of shoes as a gift this holiday season is very likely to be well received by the multisport athlete in your family – we always seem to be in need of a new pair of shoes, clothes or a new gadget to get us through a tough winter of training. Here

Salomon Fast Wing Aero M

$180 Weighing just a scant 110 g, this fitted jacket from Salomon will give you lots of protection from the elements and keep you warm through your cold-weather efforts this winter. There’s a fixed hood for some added protection, while the smart vent allows for some air flow as you ramp up the effort. The active fit makes this both comfortable and streamlined, while there are a couple of pockets for some gear while you’re out on the trails or roads.

2XU Custom Tri Suit

FROM $185 The official team supplier for Triathlon Canada, 2XU can now set you up so you can have your own look at your next big race. Teams will love 2XU’s easy-to-set-up custom program, and we loved the fact that you can get a rear-zip suit like the Canadian elites use at WTS races, or a long-distance oriented aerodynamic wonder that will help you nail a personal best at your next Ironman or Ironman 70.3 event. Regardless of the distance you’re racing, you get an extremely comfortable chamois, along with an aerodynamic suit thanks to the unique blend of compression and fabric bonding technology used in the suits.

Under Armour Athlete Recovery Track Suit

$240 We all know that as important as training is, how you recover from all that training is truly the key to your success. Under Armour’s Recovery Track Suit uses a special pattern inside the fabric to return infrared energy to your body, increasing blood oxygen to your muscles to help them recover quicker. The soft lightweight knit is extremely comfortable and breathable, wicking away moisture and drying quickly. There are secure zip pockets for valuables and a phone, so you’ll be all set to grab a coffee while you’re starting your recovery after your workout.

Polar Vantage V

$680 Polar’s new Vantage V is designed to be much more than just a tool to measure your training data. While it does all that well, providing GPS info, running power measurement and accurate HR measurement thanks to the new Precision Prime sensor technology, you also get sophisticated tools designed to optimize your training. The Vantage V helps you balance training and rest, and it will even help you figure out just how hard you went in your last workout thanks to the Training Load Pro software. Syncing to the Polar Flow software is easy and you can also automatically sync all your training data to Strava or TrainingPeaks.

Garmin 645 Music

$580 Now you can get all your training data and music on your wrist during your next run workout. (There’s also contactless payments, too, so you can leave your cash and card at home for that post-workout coffee or tea.) The 645 includes all the regular training features you’d expect from a Garmin GPS watch and even offers running dynamic information like ground contact time, stride length and more. The wrist-based HR sensor means you don’t have to wear a strap around your chest. The five-hour battery life in GPS mode with music should be more than enough for all but the most avid of ultrarunners.

Reebok Floatride Runfast Pro Shoes

$300 As you’d expect from any shoe that has the word “pro” in its name, the Floatride Runfast Pro shoes pull out all the stops to ensure you can go fast in your next tri or training session. Extremely light (100 g), you also enjoy excellent grip thanks to the high-traction outsole. The low profile Floatride foam midsole somehow manages to keep your foot low to the ground while also providing just enough cushioning that’s enhanced by the EVA sockliner. Add in the reduced seam construction and soft lining and you get a nice combination of comfort and speed.

Saucony Ride ISO

$160 This neutral shoe offers a great balance of cushioning and responsiveness so you get the best of both worlds – a fast feeling shoe (it weights in at just 275 g) that offers a comfortable ride that will get you through longer efforts with ease. The shoe is also designed to adapt to your foot shape so you get a personalized fit, while the Everun layer and Pwrfoam cushioning in the midsole absorbs impact and provides some much-appreciated energy return. The woven heel counter provides an extra bit of support, too.

361° Meraki

$170 Comfort is everything when you’re putting in those long base miles through the winter, and the Meraki provides lots of that. This neutral shoe is designed for high mileage, giving you lots of cushioning thanks to the QU!KFOAM material in the midsole, while specially designed mid-foot support keeps your foot secure. The seamless mesh upper and Pressure Free Tongue are extremely comfortable, too.

Asics Noosa FF2

$180 Noosa is an Australian triathlon mecca where many of the world’s best train, but has also been the name of one of Asics’ most triathlon-friendly shoes for almost a couple of decades now. The latest iteration, the FF2, retains the Noosa’s reputation as a responsive, lightweight, comfortable and very fast shoe. The seamless upper uses technical mesh so it’s easy to skip socks, while the specially designed heel and tongue make it easy to fly through transition.

New Balance 860v9

$165 The holiday season in Canada typically brings some colder weather, so you don’t always want a lightweight trainer or racing shoe for your training sessions at this time of year. Those looking for a supportive shoe with lots of cushioning will want to have a look at the ninth version of the 860. The midsole uses New Balance’s TruFuse technology to deliver a plush ride, while the dual-density post will ensure you get all the stability you need. This isn’t just a winter shoe – the engineered mesh upper is extremely breathable and comfortable.

Nike Vaporfly 4% Flyknit

$330 Nike says it’s their fastest running shoe ever, and it’s hard to argue after Eliud Kipchoge used a custom version of these speedsters to clock a 2:01:39 marathon. All that speed comes from a midsole that uses Zoom X foam and a full-length carbon fibre plate for stability. The new Flyknit upper is lighter and more breathable that previous versions, too.—KM