As the loved one of a runner, you put up with a lot–piles of smelly shoes by the front door, glassware stained with the residue of electrolyte mixes, the occasional hangry rant, and complaining about aches and pains after a long run. This holiday season you can give one of those rare selfish gifts that your friend or partner will appreciate equally. We’re talking about running recovery tools. The items on this list are meant to soothe the nagging, daily qualms runners deal with to make the sport more pleasant for, let’s face it, everybody.

Read on for big ticket recovery gifts and small pamper-yourself gestures fit for all kinds of runners. 

RECOVERY TOOLS

A foam roller almost feels like a must-have in a runner’s recovery arsenal. This foam roller from Lululemon is not only functional, but it’s also fashionable with its black and white marbled ridges. It’s also a two-in-one product, with the inner roller offering a deeper, more targeted fascial release than the outer one. 

The Therabody RecoveryTherm Cube is for the chronically-injured runner. Like a high-tech ice pack, the handheld cube allows the athlete to deliver instant heat or cold treatment to that nagging spot. Designed to set it and forget it, the cube comes with a strap to keep it in place and can be timed to turn off or change temperatures to alternate between hot and cold. 

For the runner who is always begging for a foot massage, this product from Cloud Massage not only takes the job on, but frankly, does it better than you could manually. The feature we love about this foot massager compared to others is the adjustable bar. It props the device up for a foot massage, but can also lay flat for calf massaging as well. It makes a great addition to any post-run recovery routine. 

Every year, we see Normatec Boots flooding gift guides (ours included!), but let’s be real, most runners do not need an $800 recovery tool. Do they even need a $400 one like this  scaled down Normatec Go? Well, define ‘need.’ That said, if you’ve ever been curious about the high-tech compression tool, Normatec Go is not a bad way to try it out. The selling point of this product is the portability. Now you can have an air compression massage while getting on with normal life-related business you have outside of running. 

COZY CLOTHES

The London-based Rockay is a brand we admire for its durable products and commitment to sustainability. These compression socks live up to those standards as well. Iffy gift-givers will also appreciate Rockay’s blister-free guarantee, which says if the fit isn’t quite right the first time around, the brand will replace the socks. 

Runners love a good slipper  for its ease of wear because, let’s face it, after we peel off those socks, the last thing we want is to stuff our feet into another sneaker or tight boot. The Vionic Relax Slipper takes the traditional cozy shoe to another level, working in a cozy terry cloth lining so you feel more like a client at a spa than a tired runner. 

Look, there’s no research that we’re aware of that shows that soft clothing speeds recovery, but it sure is a mental boost when your body is fatigued with a capital F. This bamboo crew sweater from Free Fly is soft enough to nap in and cute enough to wear out. The inside is lined lightly with fleece, making this a warm, but not too warm top. 

Made from a smooth fabric Brooks calls Go2Soft, these joggers make us want to lounge. They are from the new Luxe line from the Seattle-based company that are designed to go from run to rest seamlessly. And while, yes, these pants are tailored for running and include great run features like zipper pockets and breathability, we really love them for the post-run recovery vibe. 

Give the recovery gift of comfort! Especially this time of year, there’s nothing a runner wants more after a run than to shower off the cold sweat and slip into something comfy. But sometimes that’s not feasible. In those cases, we recommend this fleece outer layer to slip on after the run while out at the post-run happy hour or drive home. It’s warm and soft and comes in whimsical colors like maritime and cream or nectar and canyon. 

DEEP ZZZ’S

Getting adequate rest can make a huge difference in your performance. That’s why we think a soothing, caffeine-free nighttime tea makes the perfect gift for runners. The chamomile will lull you to sleep, while the pea flower (which promotes collagen production) helps your muscles repair. 

If you ask us, no one loves naps like runners do. This weighted nap blanket can help the athlete in your life maximize their nap time by falling asleep faster. According to Bearaby, the weight also reduces cortisol, which can build up after high-intensity exercise. Why we love this weighted blanket over others: the soft, chunky knit fibers are evenly weighted. Pro tip: Be sure to check out the size guide before ordering so you don’t get one that is too heavy.