Tennis, pickleball, running, and recovery—we've got it all, and hopefully, by the end of this Mother's Day Guide, we'll have helped you come up with the perfect token of appreciation. You can also check out all the products we discuss on our Mother's Day collection page.
Pickleball
At this point, everyone knows about pickleball and most of you have probably tried it once or twice. If you've got the bug, then you know how fun it can be and with summer fast approaching, this is the perfect time to get a new paddle.
A quick disclaimer before we make our suggestions: The best way to choose a new paddle is to demo it. We have a wonderful demo program at the store, so feel free to use it, but we also have some great paddles we think could do the trick.
The Six Zero Double Black Diamond Cherry Blossom, Pickleball Apes Pulse V and Vatic Pro Bloom aren't just great paddles, they're also colourful, and in a world full of boring raw carbon paddles, that's a sight for sore eyes. The Double Black Diamond is a standard, thermoformed paddle so it combines great spin with a firm feel for power and control. The Vatic Pro Bloom is a very forgiving widebody paddle that isn't thermoformed so it's a little bit softer, and the Pulse V is made from a Gen 3 construction, so it has huge power potential, with excellent feel.
Tennis
Like with pickleball, tennis season is almost here and again, we highly recommend that you demo, but the Vcore 100 V7 Sand Beige is one of our favourite rackets this year.
The Sand Beige colourway is one of the nicest we've ever seen and the Vcore 100 combines great power and spin, with a surprising amount of control as well. The racquet also comes in a lighter 100L version which will work for more novice players, or players who have a slower, more compact stroke.
Court Shoes
Court shoes are essential not only for performance in tennis and pickleball, but also for safety. They provide significantly more lateral support than runners, so you have a lower risk of ankle injuries and issues farther up the kinetic chain.
The Asics Gel-Resolution has been a fan favourite for decades now, and the latest version, the Resolution X, is as good as ever. They beefed it up a little bit this year with an oversized medial ankle collar for increased support and durability, and they also stiffened up the rubber upper for similar reasons. Nike also released a new Vapor this year; an equally iconic line of tennis shoes. The Vapor 12 brings the line back to its roots, and the Vapor Pro 3 builds off the previous Pro 2 with more comfort and better lockdown.
Nike Vapor 12 All-Court
women's
Pickleball Accessories
If your pickleball quiver has grown as quickly as the sport has these last couple of years, then chances are you need a pickleball bag. The good news is, the brands are making some great pickleball-specific bags these days, and our personal favourites are the Selkirk Core Team Bag and the Selkirk Sling.
You may have also heard of the ultra-popular Hesacore grips. These premium replacement grips have generated quite a buzz with their comfort and dampening. We recommend you try the Regular Soft if you have a 16" paddle, and the Elongated Soft if you have a hybrid or elongated paddle.
Tennis Accessories
The same goes for tennis. If you've got a bunch of rackets and even more miscellaneous gear, it's probably best to get a bag, or at least a backpack. With the French Open right around the corner, get your hands on the Roland Garros Backpack before it's gone, and if you want something slightly less expensive but just as good-looking, go for the Roland Garros Team Backpack.
Running Shoes
Now let's move on to running shoes and we've got a lot of great new options this year.
The Brooks Glycerin Max has made a huge splash in the running world. For one, it's flashy yet still elegant but it also performs the part. It has a ton of cushioning with a surprisingly performance driven spring to it. There's a reason everyone is looking to get their hands on the Glycerin Max; it's a fantastic shoe. If you do prefer something a bit more subtle with a more "standard" ride, the Glycerin is still as good as ever.
Brooks Glycerin Max Running
women's
Brooks Glycerin 22 Running
women's
We also got a new Bondi this year, the Hoka Bondi 9. This was one of the original maximalist shoes and it's been given the supercritical treatment for 2025. Hoka has added that higher performance foam to the midsole and the boost in speed is noticeable but the all-day comfort is still fantastic. We also got a new Clifton 10 this year; it has a higher stack height and softer cushioning than the 9 and Hoka somehow managed to make it lighter as well.
Hoka Bondi 9 Running
women's
On to New Balance; they revamped the 840 this year, adding Foam X to the outsole and actually restarting the naming system for the shoe: Fresh Foam X 840v1. Essentially, they've brought the once dated and sluggish neutral supportive runner into the modern day, and we couldn't be happier with how it feels. They also updated the Hierro v9, adding significantly more cushioning underfoot. Those of you who like a more grounded feel from your trail runners probably won't love that, but if you like that plush feel, you'll be in heaven.
While we haven't always been the most keen on minimalist runners, the Brooks Launch 11 has shattered our expectations. It's low to the ground, streamlined, and very responsive, so if you do like that style of shoe, it's a great option.
Lifestyle
With the sun making its way back into the Vancouver sky, a pair of sunglasses is a must—either on your runs or just for everyday use. We've been such big fans of Goodr sunglasses since we brought them into the store – they're stylish, high-quality, and affordable, especially compared to other premium options.
Take a look at the Mach G, the OG, the Circle G, and the Moana to see which style suits you best.
We also decided to bring in Hoka's new take on a lifestyle and performance hybrid shoe. The Hoka Transport is built for everyday use, but it will also hold its own if you do want to take it out for a run.
Socks
Premium socks are a game-changer for your feet. I haven't gotten a blister since I started working at Rackets & Runners so while they may come at a premium price, they're worth every penny. Even in terms of durability, they last ten times longer than cheaper socks, so as long as your washer and dryer choose to have mercy, their value will sort itself out in the end.
I'll run you through our options at various lengths and cushioning levels now. For the thinnest no-show ankle socks, go for the Feetures Elite Light Cushions or the Ultra Light Cushions. If you do want a bit more cushioning, go for the Balega Hidden Comfort.
Moving on to the quarter lengths; this time the Balega Enduro Quarter socks are slightly thinner and the Feetures High Performance Cushion Quarter socks are a little bit more padded.
In terms of crew length socks, the Feetures High Performance Cushion Crews remain by far our most popular option.
Rackets & Runners Run Club
If you are struggling to get out and go for a run, then why not join our off-season Run Club to get you ready for the summer! We meet Tuesdays at 6:15 PM and Saturdays at 8:15 AM and all levels are welcome; from run/walkers to experienced runners.
Of course, you can always get a good ol' gift card if none of the options on this list inspired you!
Hopefully, our Mother's Day guide will help you pick out the perfect gift. There's a little something for everyone, but at the end of the day, just remember to show them a whole lot of love. They deserve every bit and more!
View our full Mother's Day Collection.