Best Gifts for Athletes [2023 Guide]
What are the best gifts for athletes in 2023? You might be wondering what to get your soccer-loving friends or family members. Or maybe you’re an athlete yourself and you want to treat yourself to something awesome.
Well, you’re in luck. We have the ultimate holiday guide for you with over 30 ideas for your favorite athlete.
We have the coolest fitness gifts that will take your game to the next level. Whether they need gadgets, gear, or snacks, we have you covered. These are the gifts that will make athletes feel like a pro.
Ready to see them? Here are our top picks for the best gifts for athletes in 2023.
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Best gifts for athletes who travel
Rumpl puffy blanket
Keep your athlete warm and cozy between games, on planes or even in the off season. These blankets make great gifts for athletes. Since they’re packable, you can clip onto or shove in a backpack.
Travel pillow
Keep your athlete well rested and comfortable on plane rides, van trips and car travel. They’ll feel well rested with this travel pack including pillow, eye mask and ear plugs.
Compression socks
Compression socks are designed to improve blood circulation, reduce swelling and prevent muscle fatigue in the legs. They can also enhance running performance and reduce soreness.
Wireless bluetooth headphones
Wireless headphones are great for listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks while traveling. They are also sweat-resistant and have a long battery life. Athletes can use wireless headphones when cross training or workout out too.
Packing cubes
These packing cubes are handy organizers that help athletes pack more efficiently and neatly. They come in different sizes and colors, and some have compression zippers to save space.
Electronics organizer
An organizer is a useful pouch that keeps cables, chargers, earphones and other gadgets in one place. It has multiple pockets, elastic loops, and mesh compartments to store and protect devices.
Eye mask
A soft and comfortable mask blocks out light and helps athletes sleep better on planes, trains or at hotels.
Best gifts for athletes goals and creativity
Soccer journal – dot journal
Snag this soccer-themed dot journal. It’s got 120 pages of high quality dotted paper. This can be used for taking notes, journaling, doodling and more. Pair it with the coloring pens below for a perfect gift.
Coloring pens
These coloring pens make fun gifts for athletes. They can be used for journaling, coloring books or pen and paper games. With lots of colors, athletes can unleash their creativity.
Shoot your shot
Inspire your athlete to set goals, navigate challenges and accomplish their dreams with this book.
The young champion’s mind
This book discusses how to develop the mental skills and strategies that will help athletes perform at their peak, overcome challenges and enjoy their journey.
The athlete journal
This journaling tool with 99 prompts helps athletes of all levels improve their confidence, focus and goal-setting, making it a great gift for anyone who wants to grow as an athlete
Best athlete gifts for supporting nutrition goals
Hydroflask water bottle
Keeping athletes optimally hydrated can be challenging, so these water bottles make good gifts for athletes. These stainless steel water bottles are powerhouses since they can go anywhere and withstand the elements. With multiple options for lids and straws and colors galore, every athlete will be happy.
Soft-sided lunch box
Athletes need to pack healthy snacks and good pre game meals. So a sturdy soft sided lunch bag with room for an ice pack, is a gift every athlete needs. This bag also has a clipp-able handle so you can easily attach it to your gear bag.
Stasher silicone bags
Stasher bags are ideal for packing athlete snacks for practices and games, since they are leak-proof, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe. Fill them with healthy snacks that will keep you energized and satisfied, such as nuts, dried fruits, granola bars or cheese sticks. They are eco friendly since they are made from silicone are a great way to reduce plastic waste and save money on snack bags.
Magic Bullet Mini Blender
Smoothies and protein shakes are great for post workout recovery, as they can replenish your fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients. But making them can take time and effort, especially when you are on the go. That’s why a mini blender is a great gift for athletes who want to enjoy their drinks anytime, anywhere. A mini blender is a compact and portable device that can blend fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and ice with ease.
Run Fast. Eat Slow. cookbook
One of our favorite cookbooks by pro runner Shalane Flanagan that features nourishing recipes for athletes. It has dishes for healthy and delicious smoothies, sandwiches, pasta, cookies and more.
The Everyday Athlete Cookbook
This cookbook is designed for people who enjoy sports, exercise and adventure. It has delicious and nutritious recipes that will help you fuel your workouts, recover faster and feel great.
Best training gear athlete gifts
TRX GO suspension trainer
A great tool for athletes of all ages. The TRX trainer can be used on the go or at home. Check out the TRX page for programs of all kinds from yoga and recovery to circuit and strength.
Soccer field training gear
If you are looking for a gift for a soccer player who wants to improve their skills, you might want to consider a soccer field gear kit with cones, ladder and other accessories. This kit can help them practice various drills and exercises on the field, such as speed, agility, coordination and ball control. A soccer field gear kit is a fun and effective way to train like a pro and enjoy the game.
Portable speaker
A portable speaker is a great gift idea for an athlete who likes to listen to music or podcasts while training or relaxing at the field. A good portable speaker provides high-quality sound, wireless connectivity, long battery life and water resistance.
Spikeball game set
This game is similar to volleyball, but played with a small ball and a round net. It is a fun and challenging way to exercise agility, coordination and teamwork. It can be played indoors or outdoors, with two or four players.
Foam roller
Foam rollers can help athletes relax and recover their muscles by applying pressure and massage. They can improve blood flow, reduce inflammation, and ease pain and stiffness in your muscles
Massage gun
A massage gun is easy to use and portable, so athletes can take it anywhere they go. Whether they need a deep tissue massage, a gentle massage or something in between, a massage gun can help them feel and perform better.
Best stocking stuffer gifts for athletes
Check out some of our favorite stocking stuffers for athletes include recovery tools and tools to keep them motivated.
Cheribundi pure concentrate
Tart cherry juice is packed full of phytonutrients–anthocyanins, antioxidants and flavonoids. It’s been been shown to help muscles recover by reducing inflammation and increasing antioxidant capacity. (1) These 2.5 oz packets can tuck into a sports gear bag and meet TSA guidelines for carry-ons when traveling to tournaments.
Muscle roller stick
Stash this muscle roller stick in your athlete’s stocking. Athletes can keep this in a gear bag and roll out sore muscles on the sidelines before or after practices.
Cooling towels
Cooling towels come in handy during those hot summer tournaments, two-a-day practices as athletes are getting back into season and during intense work outs.
Beanie with headphones
Beanie with built in bluetooth for your athlete on the go. This beanie is machine washable with removable headphones. With 10 hours of playing time your athlete will enjoy cold weather work outs, runs and trainings to their favorite tunes.
TRX training resistance bands
For athletes looking to activate muscles or add a little resistance. These bands come with multiple tensions to meet every athlete’s training needs.
Massage balls
Athletes can use these massage balls to massage sore and tight muscles. They can help relieve pain, improve blood circulation and enhance recovery.
Running gloves
These gloves can keep hands warm and comfortable while running or playing in cold weather. They also have touch-screen compatible fingertips, so athletes can use their phone without taking them off.
Nuun electrolytes
Electrolyte packets contain essential electrolytes to replenish electrolytes lostthrough sweat. Nuun electrolyte tabs are perfect for athletes, travelers, or anyone who wants to stay hydrated.
Final thoughts
With a wide range of options, you can’t go wrong finding the ideal gift for your favorite athlete. Whether they need a portable speaker, a compression sock, or a yoga mat, these gifts can help them improve their skills, performance and well-being.
Your athlete will thank you in the coming year when they enjoy these gifts and achieve their goals.
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Stephanie Magill, MS, RD, CD, FAND has over 22 years of experience in public health and nutrition. As a performance registered dietitian nutritionist, Stephanie specializes in sports nutrition and provides simple and actionable information so that athletes can be well fueled for high performance on and off the field. Stephanie has a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.