Wait a minute, consume more to be more sustainable, how does that work!?
Well, this list is specifically covering gifts for the sustainable runner as each gift suggestion conforms to the three R's: reduce > reuse > recycle
The main approach here is to find degrowth within the growth of trail running, we have to find a way that we ask less of the planet as the sport and hobby that we love, grows.
So as Christmas comes around and we're thinking about some new cool toys that our running friend may enjoy, we thought it would be a good idea to share a few Christmas gift ideas for runners, that simply ask less.
Trainer Repair Kit with Pair Ups
Pairups is a trainer repair kit which will help with fixing holes in the uppers of your trainers, no matter the size.
If your trainers are starting to show signs of small holes appearing, then take a look at Pairups as they'll help prolong the life of your trainers.
In some of my previous pairs of trainers i've had the uppers go when there is still plenty of life left in the rest of the trainer and outsole.
It's a really simple repair kit, you use KT tape, which is the same tape used for covering sensitive areas of your feet before you go running and you simply glue it on and use the other tools to mold it on to the shape of your uppers. Leave them to dry and they'll be as good as new.
Even if you don't need them now, it's a great kit to buy because you'll need it at some point in the future and you can fix the holes that appear in your trainers as soon as it occurs.
In the the main Pair Ups repair kit you get the following bits of gear to repair your trainers: 1 x Tampico Bristle Brush, 2 x Fantastic Elastic Glue, 2 x 10” strips of KT tape, 1 x wooden repair tool and a process leaflet.
DirtBags Reusable Single-Serve Energy Gel, Chews & Powder Packets
DirtBags are the worlds first reusable, single-serve, energy gel, chew and powder packets.
Instead of using a single-serve and single-use energy gel, chew or powder packet just once and throwing it in the bin, why not move to a reusable option?
Gel packets can have up to 8 single layers that are heat bonded together in one packet, and these 8 layers are usually made of different plastic and foil types, making it impossible to recycle, so they end up in landfill, and after just one use.
Not forgetting that you're being charged a premium by nutritional brands for the convenience of a single-serve, usual costs are between £1.50-£3 for a single serving energy gel, chew or powder.
With DirtBags you're still getting exactly what you need for you run, a precise amount of carbs in a single-serving.
But now you can focus on bulk bought and home-made energy gels, chews and powders. Make sure to check out the sustainable fuel guide we put together which shows you 30+ fuelling suggestions to fuel more affordably.
It's as simple as buying your fuel source in bulk or making it yourself at home and then decanting it in to a Small DirtBag. You use it out on a run exactly like you would normally, but instead of binning it, you take it home, wash it out, dry it and reuse it.
When they get to the end of their life, they can be home-composted too, whats not to love!
Buy Nutrition in Bulk
If you buy gels, chews, energy powder or other snacks in bulk instead of single-serve packets, that will cut waste dramatically.
As simple as swapping from one branded single-serve energy gel for the same energy gel the brand sells in bulk can reduce packagaing by upwards of 70% when using a reusable soft flask or DirtBag.
You can see our sustainable fuel guide we spent months putting together here where we are cataloguing every single bulk and refill fuel option by nutritional brands, sharing bulk bought fuels you can buy in supermarkets and you will find a handful of recipes for diy energy gels, chews and energy powders that all reduce costs too.
Looking For Trainers, Think Durability
When referring to durability of trainers, I'm still seeing statements like "the industry standard is 400 miles", and I think this is just mad.
I have personally worn many a pair of trainer well over 1000 miles and almost upwards of 2000km and i'll give them a mention below.
Beyond trainers lasting longer and being more durable, they can also be repaired, I mentioned Pair Ups above, but your local trainer stores can resole your trainers too.
Below are trail running trainer brands i've had great success with in terms of durability.
Decathlon - i've had upwards of 2000km out of a few pairs of their trainers and they've also been surprisingly good all rounders and cost much less compared to other manufacturers out there.
Nnormal - i've only had the one pair of Nnormal and they lasted almost 1600km and will most definitely be getting another pair when my current rotation are completely dead.
Mount to Coast - I currently have two pairs of Mount to Coast trainers and have found them to be extremely durable, especially the H1 model which I now have over 1000 miles in and there is still over 1mm of tread from the original 2mm it started with and the trainer feels relatively new.
Norda - I have never owned a pair of Norda but from all my research on durable trianers, they always come up.
Xtep 2000 5.0 Pro - I'm not a road runner nor have I worn this pair of trainer, similar to Norda, but I believe they need a recommendation here for their approach. The Xtep 2000 is named as it is meant to last as much as 2000km, other than Nnormal, I don't think i've ever come across a trainer manufacturer who has made such a claim and from the reviews I have read about them, they are definitely one trainer to keep an eye on if durability is your aim.
Take Care of Your Trainers With Trainer Drainer
Cleaning your trainers after a muddy run and removing grit and debris means there will be less abrasion and it will help the uppers last longer.
Trainer drainer is exactly what you'd think, a place to drain your trainers after they've been cleaned. The stands holds each individual trainer upside down and any water will drip in to the tray attached at the bottom.
Run - Dirt and sweat damage the uppers and smell
Rinse - Rinse out all the dirt until the water runs clear
Repeat - Drip dry into the tray. No mess, clean, fresh, ready for your next run
A New Insole Can Give Your Trainers a New Lease of Life
One of the cheapest ways I keep my trainers going for longer is by just replacing the insole.
Most of my trainers I run with go way past 1000km and the outsole, tread as well as the uppers still have plenty of life left in them.
However, depending on the foam used in the midsole, this can be a different story, and there isn't much you can do about that if they feel like they have less life and bounce left in them.
So one of the things I do about this is by replacing the insole and it will bring a bit of life back in to them for very little money and make them last much longer.
I do this around the 600-1000km mark and it will give your trainers a new lease of life.
We Can't Run Away From This by Damian Hall
Do you or your loved one you'd like to gift something to enjoy reading? Consider Damian Halls book, We Can't Run Away From This.
"What if running in beautiful places was paradoxically contributing to the destruction of those precious environments and causing irreversible global harm to people and animals too?
In We Can’t Run Away From This, ultrarunner Damian Hall examines the impact of running in our climate and ecological emergency. Packed with insights from experts, it is an enlightening read which will prompt us all to really think about our kit, food and travel, and to identify simple changes we can make to our running and wider lives."
Buy We Can't Run Away From This
Green Runners Membership
For just £2 per month, you can join the Green Runners. A grassroots community of runners pledging to take real action and to cut the sport's environmental footprint. This gift if a little different to the others, and you do get some perks by joining the Green Runners and entry in to their community.
And the money you pay for your membership goes towards making running more green.
"Running, without the footprint, be part of the solution by joining a community of like-minded runners who love our planet."
Sewing Kit to Repair Your Gear
I started to repair my clothing and running gear in the last few years and it's been surprisingly easy to fix a tear or small hole in my running gear. I've had a lined insulating jacket for some years and it has a couple of tears in it from catching brambles and similar on the trail and within 20 minutes I had them repaired and looking good.
This gift is a simple one to repair your running kit beyond the trainers, its cheap and small and can come in handy for other mends and repair jobs too and will keep your running gear out of landfill that little bit longer.
The Gift of an Experience or Crew Support on a Race
This beautiful picture and moment in time is from the Climb South West 100km Two Moors Way I did a few years ago.
There are many beautiful races around the world, but one of the best things about them is sharing them and the experience, even in a small way, with loved ones.
How about creating a support crew gift card where you offer your support for an ultramarathon race where crew and support are allowed.
There is no extra physical thing involved and the experience of this service is potentially the most degrowth-aligned gift on this list and i'm sure that a loved on would really appreciate the offer of support for a big race.
There we go, 10 trail and ultramarathon green gift suggestions for Christmas for you and your loved ones who love running.
