The holidays can be a stressful time for those of us who have no idea what to get our loved ones, but if you know someone who’s into tennis, pickleball, or running, this guide will help you find the perfect gift.
We’ve got a bunch of goodies for you today at all the different price ranges — $10 stocking stuffers all the way up to rackets, paddles, and elite running shoes. We’re going to cover it all today, so let’s get into it!
Running
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 & OpenFit Air
Listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks is one of the best ways to stay entertained during a run, and Shokz makes the safest headphones for just that. They are designed to send vibrations through your earbuds rather than covering them up so that you can stay as alert as possible while you run.
It’s important to take as many precautions as possible when running in the dark, and with the sun setting so early these days, that’s more relevant than ever. The NiteVest Rechargeable LED Safety Vest keeps you visible while running at night for maximum safety. Undoubtedly, the best visibility vest on the market!
We can’t think of a single better gift this holiday season than the gift of the Rackets & Runners Run Club. We’re a tight-knit community with an amazing coach in Lara Penno, and we’d love for you to join us! We meet Tuesdays at 6:15 PM and Saturdays at 8:15 AM, and we’ve got space for any runner (and walker) at any pace!
Run with Us – Learn More & Join the Run Club!
Running Shoes
No one quite trucks through the winter like Vancouverites when it comes to running. We’re a passionate bunch, but the problem is, it rains a lot… like a lot, a lot. The Brooks Ghost 17 GTX is a great waterproof option for those runners who need a fresh pair and want to keep their feet dry throughout the winter months.
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V4
Need a fast pair of shoes? The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite V4 became one of the very best carbon-plated shoes of the past few years. It fits and feels great, and while the V5 certainly is a marked improvement, the V4 is on sale right now and represents amazing value. If you need a tempo shoe and/or race shoe--grab a pair at a super price. You will not be disappointed!
Pickleball Paddles
The Ronbus Quanta is one of the standout paddle releases this season, featuring 4th-generation foam core technology for a balanced mix of power and control. Available in multiple shapes, each version offers a slightly different feel and performance, so players can find the one that suits their style.
Finally, we have the Selkirk Boomstik — a paddle that literally shook the pickleball world when it was released back in August. It’s the most powerful paddle ever, although at this point, if you haven’t heard about its amazing playability, the reviews speak for themselves. I’ll leave our full YouTube review below so you can check it out for yourself, but the moral of the story is: if you want a Boomstik, there’s really nothing else like it.
Tennis Rackets
The Ezone 100 got a slightly more substantial update with Yonex actually reshaping the frame to make it more powerful and forgiving. The update has been extremely well received, with the Ezone 100 placing second in our recent Top 5 Bestselling Rackets of the Year video. If you want power, spin, and a surprising amount of comfort, the Ezone 100 is a great racket to go with this Christmas.
We finish up with another classic — the Blade 98. While we didn’t get a new Blade this year, it’s always worth mentioning this racket. If you or someone you know craves classic control and wants a good modern take on that style of racket, the Blade is and always will be one of the best options to go with. It’s also getting an update in April, so if you know you like this one, it’s not going to be around forever.
Bags
Not everyone likes to trudge a full-length tennis bag around, and there are some great backpack-style tennis bags nowadays. The Head Tour Backpack has a racket compartment and a shoe compartment (which you don’t realize the value of until you’ve worn a pair of shoes more than 10 times…). It’s also on sale right now — $30 off — so a great price for a great present.
Pickleball players also need bags, and the good news is, with the massive increase in the sport’s popularity, we’ve also seen a major improvement in the quality of bags on offer. The CRBN Pro Team Sling is our current favourite with its minimalist and ergonomic design.
Court Shoes
To finish up the court sports, we always need to talk about shoes. As we’ve said so many times, finding the right court shoes isn’t just important — it’s a must! So if you know someone who’s still playing tennis or pickleball in runners or an old, worn-out pair of court shoes, this would make for an amazing gift.
New Balance Fresh Foam CT Rally V2
The New Balance CT Rally got a substantial update this year. New Balance made it more sleek, quick, and nimble while maintaining the line’s support DNA. It’s now a great do-it-all shoe that colours somewhere between the lines of a Nike Vapor and an Asics Gel-Resolution — that’s about as high praise as you can give a court shoe.
Accessories
If you haven’t already, you should pick up a Rackets & Runners pickleball paddle cover. We’ve got them in both an elongated and widebody option, and these protect your paddle while also showing support to your favourite store in the world!
Tennis players also deserve some love, and one of the best stocking stuffers ever is the classic pack of overgrips. You can never have enough overgrips, so get a pack of the Wilson Pro, the Yonex Super Grap, or even Tourna Grip (for those players who sweat profusely), and you’re sure to make someone happy. You can even get a 12-pack of the Wilson Pro Overgrips to make someone VERY happy.
Socks can work as a stocking stuffer for anyone you know, whether they’re pickleballers, tennis players, runners, or even someone who just wants a nice pair of socks! We can’t stress enough how much a premium pair of socks JUST FEELS GOOD TO WEAR, and everyone deserves a good pair in their lives. Feetures and Balega are our go-tos with plenty of length and cushioning options.
It also gets pretty cold when you’re running right now (especially, again, at night), so a nice warm pair of gloves is a great gift idea. DexShell makes some of our favourite gloves, especially because they’re waterproof, which is so important here in Vancouver.
Of course, if none of these gift ideas work, you can always go with the trusty ol’ gift card. Gift it to someone, and we’ll do our best to help them pick exactly what they need for their respective sport. 
Shipping Cut-Off Dates
As we head into the busy holiday period, we want to ensure your orders arrive on time. For delivery by December 24, please keep the following shipping cut-off dates in mind:
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Order by December 12 for regular shipping anywhere in Canada (excluding the Lower Mainland).
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Order by 10:59am on December 23 for same-day delivery within the Lower Mainland.
These timelines will help guarantee that your gifts and gear arrive before the holidays. If you have any questions or need assistance, our team is always here to help.