If your guy is anything like us, “I don’t want anything” is pretty common. But it doesn’t mean what you think. It means he’ll happily wear casual shorts for a decade (us), then drop $400 on a MAAP kit without blinking (also us). Because, priorities, but also because we just don’t care.

So if you don’t know what to get your favorite athlete this year, here is our list of things we’ve loved in 2026 that are just outside-the-box that you’ll look like to put in some serious effort.

Recovery

Rally Oscillating Massager — For the muscles that need a gentler touch. Compact enough for a gym bag or carry-on, this is the caressing side of recovery. ($50 off with FRONTPACKSPORTS50)

Hyperice Hypervolt Go 3 — Small enough for any gym bag and for when gentle isn’t going to cut it. Hypervolt offers more percussion, and more intensity.

Honestly, the best recovery setup covers both ends of the spectrum.

Both are totally different and great for any occasion. It really just depends if you like to be dominated or like more of a caressing relationship with your recovery gear. I’m a bit of a freak and like both.

Health & Performance

Climatic — Skepticism is fair until you actually try this. For anyone dealing with Austin-grade allergy season (or just chronically congested lungs), A 5 second pull from this — whether first thing in the morning or mid-treadmill leaves your lungs noticeably more open. All-natural ingredients, zero gimmicks. We’ve loved it.

Safety

Garmin Varia RearVue 820 — If your loved one rides bikes, this is non-negotiable. Rear radar that alerts him to vehicles approaching from behind, paired with a compatible Garmin bike computer for full integration. This is the kind of gift that says you actually worry about him getting home safe while you still want him getting out and enjoying his time away.

Running Essentials

Superfeet Insoles — We can’t say, nothing says love like insoles but seriously, if you are looking for something that is thoughtful and will say, I know my man, Superfeet makes the best aftermarket insoles for any runner type. Just look at the difference between the included insole and then, Superfeet. Also, they just launched a custom 3D foot scan you can do all from you iPhone so you don’t even need to trick them into going to the running store and getting the exact ones they need. It can all be done from the couch these days.

For Swimmers

SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro or H2O Audio TRI2 — For swimmers, holy hell it can be incredibly boring so two options we’ve loved for a few years are the SHOKZ OpenSwim Pro or H2O Audio TRI2 waterproof open ear headphones. Both are so incredibly similar but for our $ you are paying for marketing and name with SHOKZ and with H2O, you’re paying for proven quality, even if less known. So if that special someone is a label chaser, go SHOKZ and if they just like performance, go H2O.

Zygo Z2 — For something different and if you prefer streaming, go with Zygo. The bone-conduction headphones are built for streaming through your phone rather than downloaded music. Pair the phone, hit play, done. They’re ideal for the less tech-savvy swimmer in your life but the beauty is, we’ve never lost connection, even when the pool switches to long distance (50 meters).

Apparel

Ciele Athletics — We’ve had a huge crush on the brand in 2026. Their Icon and Elite lines have been amazing and if you live in a warm climate, their entire line is so breathable and light. Maybe you don’t pay attention to them all that much because you still consider them the ‘Go One More’ hat company but their apparel is up there with Bandit or any of the other high end brands. But actually more affordable. We will say, at 6’2 / 175lbs, we tend to size up in the shirts, so if your man is similar and traditionally wears a medium but likes some flow, go with large.

DU/ER Shorts — These are the first shorts we’ve bought in 10 years and they’re amazingly comfortable, form fitting and you can get longer or shorter cuts. I go short because why wouldn’t i want to show off these legs that I’ve spent hundreds of hours building. But the material rocks, the stretch rocks, there is even a secret zipper pocket you can put your keys (or a gel) in.we’ve been seriously pumped about these shorts all summer.

Coffee Table Finds

We’re big believers in print, and these three are coffee-table-worthy for any reason. Quarterly releases, gorgeous photography, and original storytelling from writers around the world. Whether he runs, hikes, or just loves the outdoors, any of these will get read cover to cover.

Mountain Gazette — A long-running staple of outdoor culture and storytelling, Moutain Gazette is equal parts adventure writing and irreverent humor.

Trails — a quarterly mag, Trails is beautifully produced, photo-driven, and squarely focused on the trail running and hiking world.

Like the Wind — A running magazine that reads more like a literary journal, it includes dozens of long-form stories about why people run, not just how.

Drop a subscription (or a single issue) in with the gear and it instantly feels more thoughtful than another gadget.

For The Chef In Your Life

Made In 8″ Chef Knife (Personalized) — If your athlete is dialed into nutrition (and most of them are) a protein-packed meal prep is basically a love language at this point, so this one’s a winner. Made In’s 8″ chef knife is already a kitchen workhorse, but the personalization option takes it over the top. We pick up a new one engraved with the IRONMAN logo after every full Ironman we complete. It’s become a cool small daily reminder, every time we’re prepping, of what we’re capable of.

That’s it. Now go make a father happy.