Father’s Day is the day where you can show just how much you know about running. It’s also the day of the year where your dad can brag about running as much as he wants.
The annual celebration is this Sunday, June 16, which comes just in time for prime running entering the summer months.
Impress the dad in your life with these eight gift ideas that will leave him feeling impressed, and more importantly, motivated to run.
Salomon Speedcross 5
If the father in your life is into trail running, look no further for your footwear gift. The Salomon Speedcross 5 is one of the toughest shoes you’ll find and it can withstand any and all terrain. With plenty of grip including some gnarly treads to the quick lacing system, the Speedcross 5 is a shoe that’s built to last thanks to ample cushioning and a rigid outsole. The Speedcross 5 retails for $170 and comes in all-red or all-black colourways.
Ciele CRWCap
A hip take on a traditional dad hat, Ciele’s collection comes just in time for summer. Meet the the CRWCap. The hat company based out of Montreal which has taken the running industry by storm in recent years finds a balance between function and fashion with the CRWCap using COOLwick knit fabric for breathability, a pliable brim that protects you from the sun and a lifetime guarantee. The CRWCap is super light, which is great for running as well as for everyday wear, and it retails for $40 and a single size fits all with a customizable backstrap.
RaceDots
Say goodbye to safety pins, forever. RaceDots, a superior alternative to safety pins, are magnets that secure your race number to the front of your shirt. No more poking holes in your favourite singlet or T-shirt, no more rusted stains on your clothes because you forgot to remove a safety pin when throwing your soiled race gear into the wash, and no more waste. RaceDots are sturdy, powerful so your race bib won’t move around, add minimal weight versus a traditional safety pin, and come in a variety of colours and patterns. RaceDots are available at MEC in Canada and a pack of four retails for $25-29.
Stance Run socks
Stance are the opposite of dad socks. Stance, which offers the most stylish socks on the market right now, has skyrocketed in popularity across all major sports including in running. Their socks come in a variety of colourways, themes, and – most importantly – cuts, ranging from low-cut to mid-calf length. Prices range between US$14-18 for a pair and Stance is sold in many run-specialty stores in Canada.
Adidas Alphabounce+ Run Parley running shoes
No dad shoe status here. Through a partnership with Parley For The Oceans, Adidas now creates footwear out of recycled ocean plastics including the Alphabounce+ Run Parley. To date, five million shoes have been manufactured using trash thrown into the oceans and another 11 million are slated to be produced in an effort to eliminate the use of traditional polyester in adidas’ footwear. The Alphabounce+ Run is a stiffer trainer and performs great as a hybrid when worn casually. This gift retails for $120.
Race fee
Surprise your dad by covering a race entry and saving him cash. Plus, with a commitment to a race, you might just motivate him to train that much harder to take advantage of this Father’s Day gift to impress the kids. Check out our race guide for some race ideas.
Strava Summit
For the GPS-obsessed father in your life, Strava Summit – previously known as Strava Premium – is the upper echelon tier of the social media platform that tracks your training and simplifies your stats. Strava is a free product in its most basic form, but Summit opens up a number of features only available to paying customers including live feedback, race analysis, live location tracking, and workout analysis. Summit costs $5 per month when billed annually.
Endurance Tap
A Canadian take on energy gels, Endurance Tap is a Toronto-based sports nutrition company whose product is comprised of three ingredients: Canadian maple syrup, sea salt, and ginge. The smooth texture, sealable twist cap, and simplicity makes Endurance Tap a hit among Canada’s top distance marathoners and the masses. Individual units can be purchased for $3.25, and a six-pack retails for $19.50.
