It’s no secret that getting thousands of steps in throughout the day is a great healthy habit (Who hasn’t heard of the 10,000 steps a day goal?). Walking benefits health in a lot of ways, from improving your mood to building muscle (especially if you add in some ankle weights to your routine). It’s no wonder so many people like to lace up their sneakers after a stressful WFH day or to start their mornings and get their heart pumping.
While all anyone really needs for a successful walk is a solid pair of walking shoes and a good playlist, there are always a few extra items that can improve the overall experience. Whether that’s a comfortable, quality pair of leggings or a handy massager for post-stroll aches and pains, the upcoming holiday season is the perfect time to gift the walker in your life something special that they’ll actually use. Shape put together the ultimate gift guide for walkers, curated by commerce writer and veteran exercise walker Maddie Barber. Ahead are the best gifts for walkers.
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Make your everyday walks more challenging and help build strength by adding ankle weights. The Bala Bangles wowed Shape’s team, earning the top spot for the best ankle weights we tested. Don’t be fooled by the small weights; even the 1-pound options will really up the ante for your walking workouts.
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If you’re tired of earbuds slipping out of your ears (especially during sweatier walks), try these Powerbeats Pros with an over-the-ear design to keep them secure. They’re still just as sleek as other wireless Bluetooth headphones on the market, but boast more features like volume and track control on each earbud and sleep mode to save battery when not in use.
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Maintaining a walking routine doesn’t come without its occasional aches and pains — nothing this mini Theragun massage gun can’t help with. It’s compact enough to use all over your body and travel with if you have long walks or hikes on the itinerary while vacationing.
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If your giftee likes to have as much cushion as possible for their strolls, they’ll obsess over these Brooks running shoes. “They feel like literal marshmallows on your feet,” says Summer Cartwright, Shape’s senior commerce editor and resident shoe expert. “You can hardly feel the ground when these are on. They’re perfect for people with achy joints who struggle with some pain during exercise.”
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For the giftee who struggles to consume enough water throughout their day (and who doesn’t ever clean their bottles…yikes!), this self-cleaning and temperature-controlled bottle is a must. It uses PureVis tech to get rid of up to 99% of germs and gunk in the bottle. All you have to do is fill it up, press the cap for cleaning, and it’s ready to drink.
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This clever crossbody is a genius way to stay hydrated on hot girl and chilly girl walks, and it has extra pockets for all your hands-free essentials. The color and pattern options are endless, as a bonus.
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If the walker on your list loves tracking their health stats, they’ll love this high-tech, super-sleek Whoop. This wearable pulls together your fitness and sleep data, stress levels, recovery suggestions, and more with its corresponding app. Keep in mind that a subscription is needed for this fitness tracker.
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Going on a more strenuous type of hike? Be sure to pack these trekking poles. The foam hand grips are comfortable, and the SideLock technology makes collapsing the poles easy — in case you decide you don’t need them anymore.
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Chafing happens to the best of us. Keep it at bay by running this balm onto any high-chafe areas of your body. This chafing cream isn’t greasy, and it’s made from plant-derived ingredients. Plus, it stays on in all conditions, even when it’s super humid outside.
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Tired legs will feel rejuvenated after a session in these boots, thanks to the targeted compression massage they provide to the calves (which helps with inflammation and circulation). The best part is that you can move around and multitask while your legs reap the benefits.
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Sometimes gloves aren’t enough to keep hands warm; that’s where these hand warmers come into play. This compact option is refillable with Zippo hand warmer fluid and provides heat for your hands for six to 12 hours. Perfect for winter walks.
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Keeping exercise walk essentials like your wallet, headphones case, and phone close by is a must, but this belt bag lets you do it hands-free. Opt for the regular or mini size depending on how much you typically bring along with you.
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Not every walker is an outdoor walker — those who prefer to stay indoors (especially during this time of year) need a walking pad. Given its foldable design, this Shape editor-loved walking pad is perfect for even the smallest apartments or spaces.
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Better safe than sorry! If you’re planning to go outdoors to exercise, it’s always a good idea to be prepared in case the unexpected happens. This bracelet is designed to have emergency contact information, as well as any allergies, medical history, and medical conditions, in case anything goes wrong while you’re out.
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Owala is the cool water bottle brand du jour, so the FreeSip is the perfect gift for anyone who needs to stay hydrated during long walks. The best thing about the brand is the array of color and size options, plus the ability to sip through a straw or chug through the regular spout.
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Vuori does activewear right every time. The AllTheFeels style feels like sweatpants in legging form thanks to its soft, lightweight feel and comfortable high-waisted fit. You can’t go wrong with any of the nine color options, either.
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New Balance’s iconic Fresh Foam 1080 line has some of the cushiest kicks Shape editors have ever felt. The rocker bottom shape gives you a feeling of lift-off with each step, and the shoes are versatile enough that any walker will enjoy 10,000 steps in them.
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Not only do these Merino wool socks wick sweat and provide comfort for your feet thanks to the zone cushioning, but you can wear them and feel good, too, knowing that the company donates a pair for every pair sold.
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If you never thought you’d exercise in a onesie, think again. This one-piece has a compressive, supportive upper half, so you feel supported up top. The lined, breathable bottom half keeps you feeling cool even on days you’re working hard.
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These Alo Yoga leggings are a bestseller for a reason — they’re the perfect pair to keep on hand for long walks (or any other active workout, that is). A high-compression feel and double-layered waistband will keep you secure and comfortable during your strolls.
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Exercise dresses are here to stay. As one of the originals in the category, Outdoor Voices’ Exercise Dress is perfectly designed to function during walks and other exercise and lets you look cute in the process.
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The name says it all — walk longer and possibly farther when you slide these insoles into your shoes. Their superior cushioning helps to decrease the fatigue in your feet and legs, and they’re designed to help relieve muscle soreness, too.
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A sleek, understated half-zip is the perfect layering piece for any walker. Soft and form-fitting, this option from Vuori works on its own in warmer temperatures and won’t feel bulky under a heavier jacket in cold months.
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One of Barber’s go-to layering pieces during cold-weather walks is this stylish rugby from Tracksmith. With a retro design emphasized by the brand’s signature exterior tag and a warm (yet breathable) fabric makeup (thanks to Merino wool), this is a must-have piece in any walker’s wardrobe.
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Anyone living in super-cold climates would marvel at the magic of this heated vest. This slim-fitting, sleek vest is outfitted with carbon fiber heating elements that function at three heating levels (low, medium, and high) for up to 10 hours—yes, there’s even heat in the collar. Plus, it’s wind- and water-resistant.
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Sleek walking sneakers are a great gift for any walker who likes to look put-together while on the move — Allbirds’ Tree Gliders are a solid Shape-approved option. Made from Allbirds’ signature breathable tree fiber fabric and perfectly lightweight, these are ideal for everyday wear.
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This sweat-wicking jacket is a perfect top layer if you’re exercising outdoors on chilly mornings or nights. And if you get too hot, simply unzip it and tie it around your waist.
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Equally chic and functional, these Message mule slippers are a great recovery shoe after enduring long walks. The brand’s signature Barecork footbed molds to your foot to provide the utmost support, while the Hugflex fabric offers comfortable compression for the top of your feet.
Why Trust Shape
Shape commerce writer Maddie Barber considers herself an expert gift-giver and shopper. For years, she has coveted walking as her main (and favorite!) form of exercise, typically participating in long strolls with her mom by her side. For this story, she spent hours researching the best gifts for walkers, even including some of her own go-to walking-related products.
Amy Schlinger contributed to an earlier version of this article. She is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) and freelance journalist with over 12 years of experience. She regularly covers health, fitness, wellness, and lifestyle topics for Shape, Health Magazine, Self, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, The New York Post, Business Insider, Livestrong, Well + Good, MSN, and more.
