Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Triathletes & Runners
Flowers and chocolate are nice, but I'd rather have running shoes.
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They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but honestly I’d rather have carbon-plated race shoes.
This Valentine’s Day, skip the usual flowers and chocolate and surprise your favorite athlete with a gift that shows you speak their love language: race-day essentials, recovery gear, and gadgets galore.
Don’t get me wrong. I love chocolate, but there’s something special about receiving a gift that shows your loved one really gets you. They understand your love of a wacky, three-in-one sport that causes you to dress entirely in spandex, smell faintly of chlorine, eat an absurd amount of carbs, and have no shame stretching in public places.
Whether you’re shopping for a training partner, significant other, or friend, this Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Triathletes & Runners has everything they’ll love, almost as much as a new PR.
We’ve got a sweet surprise for you: discount codes for some of our favorite triathlon and running products! As a special treat, free subscribers get access to a few of these codes (because we love you too).
But here’s the real deal: Members of the Triple Threat Life Club unlock the full VIP Bundle with all the codes.
Because, let’s face it, endurance sports are expensive and every little bit helps.
Join the Triple Threat Life Club 🚴♀️🏊♂️🏃♂️
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✅ Monthly expert video calls featuring top coaches, pro triathletes, and mindset specialists.
✅ Members-only discounts from 12 premium brands, saving you hundreds on your favorite gear and nutrition.
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All this for just $5 a month. Join today and take your triathlon game to the next level!
(This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if a purchase is made through one of the links, at no additional cost to you.)
Valentine’s Day Gifts For Triathletes & Runners
Gifts under $25
Zealios sunscreen and chamois cream- $18
Zealios makes my favorite sunscreen and chamois cream that lasts all day. They also have shower products for the pool, recovery gel, and lip balm. I like their tiny pocket packs of sunscreen you can stash in your pocket for long bike rides or runs. It’s zinc-based, paraben-free, and feels like a light lotion. We also use their chamois cream, Betwixt.
(*As a newsletter subscriber, you get 20% off all Zealios products with code: TRIPLETHREATLIFE)
Bombas running socks- $18
There are so many great running socks out there. Some of our favorites include Balega, Swiftwick, and Smartwool, but my new go-to is Bombas. I like the quarter or half-calf length for running. They’re super thin with just the right amount of compression in the arch and have light padding on the heel, toe, and ball of the foot. They’re made of sweat-wicking yarn (no blisters) and they just feel awesome. The best part is for every pair of socks you buy, they donate a pair to someone in need.
(You can take 20% your first order with COMFORT20.)
Membership to EC Fit Strength Training- $19.99 a month
This is the new strength training program we’re using this year, and Erin Carson is amazing! She’s a certified strength and conditioning specialist who works with triathletes, runners, and cyclists. We have her basic program, which is $19.99 a month and includes access to over 150 on demand video workouts for mobility, strength, and recovery. She’s very relatable, super positive, and provides great instruction. She works with a few names you may recognize… Taylor Knibb, Rudy Von Berg, Mirinda Carfrae, Emma Pallant-Browne, Andres Lopez, Imogen Simmonds, Trevor Foley, Tim O’Donnell, Sep Kuss, Morgan Pearson, ect.
FINIS swim paddles- $25
I’ve used other swim paddles before, but this is my new favorite! Unlike traditional paddles that have a wrist strap to hold them in place, these FINIS paddles are strapless. Why is this important? It provides instant stroke feedback. If you don’t use proper technique, they will shift or fall off. These paddles help you learn to apply proper pressure throughout the entire stroke. They’ve made a big difference for me in how I feel my stroke. Go for the single dot version. It’s the perfect size and reduces the risk of shoulder irritation with larger paddles.
TYR front snorkel- $31.76
Since we’re in the off-season foundation phase of training, we’re doing a lot of swim drills. One of the most helpful tools for kicking, focusing on your stroke, and taut body alignment is a front snorkel. I’ve had so many different people ask me about this front snorkel from TYR. It’s great because it’s rigid, so it doesn’t flop around, the head piece is comfortable, and it’s the perfect size.
Gifts under $55
Rnnr hats- $38
These are the coolest running hats on the market, hands down. We have the Pacer Cap in Jungalow, Party Pace, and FKT and the Distance Hat in Blackout and Unicorn. The Pacer Cap is Matt’s favorite for race day. It’s made of ultra-breathable, laser-cut mesh and weighs only 2.1 ounces, so it’s super lightweight. Also, it has a flexible brim that you can curve, flip, or flatten to match your style. The colors and designs are fun, and their singlets are awesome, but new designs sell out fast. Also, this is a female-owned company.
Their motto is “We seriously love running. It’s just that we don’t take ourselves that seriously as runners. We’re just chasing good times.”
Microfiber towels- $39.95
These microfiber towels from Nomadix are our favorite for the pool and post-ride or run. They’re made of recycled materials, super absorbent, odor resistant, quick dry, and come in fun designs. We have one with all the National Parks on it that’s Matt’s favorite.
Road iD- $39.99
This small, engraved tag with emergency contact information provides peace of mind when training outdoors. You can wear it on a stretch wristband, attach it to your shoe, or wear it on your Garmin, like we do. It’s perfect for triathletes, runners, or any active person who loves the outdoors.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 20% off Road iD.)
ROKA R1 goggles- $45
I really like these goggles from ROKA. They’re light, flexible, and have a wide field of view. I have the dark amber mirror.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 25% off ROKA.)
This recovery device uses a small electrical pulse to stimulate the peroneal nerve in the lower leg. This triggers a muscle contraction, which helps to increase blood flow, decrease soreness, and shorten recovery time 3X faster than traditional methods. It also stimulates a lymphatic response, which helps flush lactate. I wear them after a hard run workout to keep my legs feeling fresh.
Click here to read my review of Firefly.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 15% off Firefly.)
Torege sunglasses- $49.89
Torege has great sunglasses for cycling and running that are super affordable. Most models are between $37-$50. They’re sturdy, have anti-fog, and adjustable nose grips. I have the Clock Stoppers EV in Rosy Spectrum and I love them.
Fun/sad story: At IRONMAN Arizona, I accidentally left my glasses in my special needs bag for the run, which you don’t get back… Matt saw they had a BOGO 50% sale, so he got me two pairs! Rosy Spectrum and Frozen Sky.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 15% off Torege sunglasses.)
Naked Run Band- $55
This is the best run belt ever. I use it for every training run and races when I want to carry my own nutrition. (It’s my go-to for 70.3 and IRONMAN). It’s made of expandable mesh so you can fit this Amphipod 20 oz. bottle or two 10.5 oz. flasks if you want one with water and one with carbs. You can also carry a few gels, salt tabs, and it holds your race number. It’s super comfortable, lightweight, and doesn’t bounce at all.
Gifts under $200
Massage gun- $149- $279.99
A massage gun is a must-have for every triathlete or runner. We have the TheraGun deep tissue massage gun. It’s an investment, but you get what you pay for. The cheaper alternatives we’ve tried don’t hold charge and aren’t as robust. This one has a one-button control, USB-C charging, four massage attachments, and customizable speeds. Also, they have a mini-version, which is great for travel and less expensive. You can even connect it to the Therabody app for targeted treatment suggestions.
Zoot Ultra Triathlon Bag- $160
Matt and I both have this transition bag from Zoot. It opens up like a suitcase and has two, large, mesh zippered compartments inside, a space for your helmet, cycling and running shoes, and wet storage.
FORM Smart Swim Goggles- $129-199
These goggles allow you to see real-time metrics while you swim with an in-goggle display that shows time, distance, pace, stroke rate, and more. The app comes with a library of workouts and training plans, or you can upload your own custom workout. The HeadCoach feature with drills and Swim Straight in open water mode are two premium features. The goggles also connect to Training Peaks.
Click here to read my review of FORM goggles.
Gifts $200-$500
Rudy Project sunglasses- $204.99- $269.99
I have several Rudy Project sunglasses, but some favorites include the Kelion and Astral X. The Kelion has virtually unbreakable lenses. I have photochromic lens that transition from clear to tinted within seconds in response to sunlight. They fit perfectly under my helmet and have a wide field of view, so it’s like I’m not wearing any glasses at all.
I like the Astral X for running, because they’re frameless, super light at just 28 grams, and they don’t bounce. They don’t pinch the sides of my head either, which I appreciate.
Check here for my review of the Kelion.
Click here for my review of the Astral X.
(As a newsletter subscriber, you get 35% off helmets and sunglasses at Rudy Project. This includes prescription eyewear. Also, you get up to 50% off sale items. Use the code: triplethreatlife.)
Stryd running power meter- $279
Last year, I was looking for a gift for Matt, and a friend suggested the Stryd running power meter. It’s a wearable device that clips onto your shoe and provides real-time metrics for power output, just like cycling. It can do so much, including pace targets for races, built-in workouts, and stride analytics. It also pairs with all the top smartwatches.
ROKA Viper Pro swimskin- $295-$395
A swimskin is something you can wear when a triathlon isn’t wetsuit legal. For those who live in hot climates, this is a good investment. It doesn’t provide buoyancy, but the hydrophobic coating makes you slip through the water, so more speed.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 25% off ROKA.)
Apollo Neuro- $299
This wearable is a vagus nerve stimulator, which basically means it’s a vibrating wristband. Different modes help reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance recovery, and improve focus. I like to use the Focus setting while working and the Recover setting after a hard workout.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 15% off Apollo Neuro)
Air Relax Recovery Boots Classic AR 2.0- $475
These game-changing compression boots are portable and a fraction of the price of other models. I’ve had my Air Relax boots for six years and it helps me recover quickly during training. Compression boots help increase blood circulation, reduce muscle fatigue, and boost lymphatic fluid movement. I sit in them while working on the computer, reading a book, or watching a movie. They’re great for pre-race as well. They have 4 chambers, 4 pressure modes, and plug into a standard electrical outlet. There are other big name brands out there, but there’s no beating Air Relax as far as the quality you get for the price.
Insta 360 X4- $499.99
We have a GoPro HERO 9 Black, which is a great action camera. But the Insta 360 is our new toy for capturing video and photo of our bike rides and runs. It’s a waterproof, action camera with 5.7K 360, image stabilization, touch screen, AI editing, and voice control. Thanks to AI editing, it automatically removes the selfie stick from footage, making it look like someone else is filming you! You simply record the footage and later on in the app change the direction of view and apply effects in 360 degrees. It’s really fun and easy to use.
Fancy Gifts- $1,000
Cool Mitt- $995
This thermoregulation training device was created with technology developed at Stanford University. The theory behind it is based on the fact that the palms of your hands radiate heat over 5 times more effectively than other parts of the body. Cool Mitt works by rapidly drawing heat away and sending cooled blood back to the heart. This type of vasocooling during short breaks in exercise has shown to increase endurance, delay fatigue, and improve performance. You will see this in gyms with weightlifters, NFL, NBA, and MLB sidelines, and Paris Olympian sprinters used it on the track. We’ve used it during hard trainer rides, and it definitely makes a difference.
(Click here to read my review of Cool Mitt.)
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get $200 off Cool Mitt, so it’s $795 for you).
ROKA Maverick X3 wetsuit- $1,245
This is one of the nicest wetsuits on the market, so it comes with an appropriate price tag. It has interior core taping that stiffens the suit and helps connect your hips to your shoulders. ROKA’s arms-up technology means there’s no shoulder restriction and it’s made of thin, buttery soft Yamamoto neoprene for maximum comfort and buoyancy. This model has new forearm catch material that increases tactile feedback in the water and modified neck paneling to reduce chafing. But honestly, the Maverick 2 is extremely nice as well and their lower-level Comp wetsuits are great if you don’t need something with all the bells and whistles.
(*Triple Threat Life Club members get 25% off ROKA. So this wetsuit is over $300 off! A TTL Club membership is just $5 a month, and you get access to monthly video calls with expert speakers and other benefits. You do the math.)
The last time we made a Gift Guide during Christmas, it was super popular. Click below to check it out for more fun gift ideas.
Whether you need a fun gift idea for a friend, loved one, or yourself, hopefully this Valentine’s Day Gift Guide gives you a few great ideas!
Triple Threat Life Discounts
If you didn’t catch the codes above, the following discounts are for all newsletter subscribers. If you’re reading this, that means you!
The Feed- $80 in annual nutrition credit
(You have to sign up with your email at this link. Receive $20 off today’s order and then $20 in Feed cash appears in your email every 90 days. If you don’t use it, the credit expires. Complete instructions at this link.)
Zealios sunscreen and skincare- 20% off with code- TRIPLETHREATLIFE
Rudy Project- 35% off helmets and sunglasses, including prescription eyewear. Also, up to 50% off sale items with code- triplethreatlife.
Create a free account at this link. Then, when you browse the website, discounted prices will show up automatically.
The VIP Bundle with all discounts from our amazing partner companies like Running Warehouse, ROKA, Torege, Never Second, and many more are available for Triple Threat Life Club members below.
Enjoy!
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