Welcome to Metropolitan Mama’s Christmas Gift Guide for Athletes (young & old). Below you will find clothes, shoes, gear, and accessories that athletes are bound to love for Christmas 2023.
Whether your gift recipient plays team sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball, etc) or enjoys pursuing solitary athletic endeavors (swimming, cycling, running, hiking, etc), you're bound to find great gift ideas below.
Brooks Running has been a family favorite in recent years for well-made, comfortable, and stylish athletic apparel - especially for running, but also ideal for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. From comfy jogging sets to running tees in exactly the right material to shorts at exactly the right length, Brooks has all of this and more.
Pictured: Luxe Jogger, Sprint Free Short Sleeve 2.0, Distance Long Sleeve 2.0, Chaser 5" Short.
If you're shopping for an avid skier, snowboarder, ice skater, snow-shoer, or snowball maker, look through the current collection at Columbia Sportswear. You'll find comfortable, durable, waterproof clothing that will keep everyone warm and dry on the slopes.
Pictured: Women's Backslope™ III Insulated Pants, Women's Omni-Heat™ Lazy Bend™ Camper Shoe, Women's Tunnel Springs™ Wool Crew Baselayer Shirt, Women's Bugaboo™ Interchange Gloves, Kids' Adventure™ Ride Insulated Ski Bib, Women's Heavenly™ Gloves, Adventure Hiking Earflap Cap.
For maximum support and shaping in cup sizes C – J (without poky underwire!), consider Freya's Dynamic Soft Cup Crop Top Sports Bra. This comfortable and supportive bra features a soft hook and eye closure with four rows for a flexible and personalized fit. Designed for high intensity workouts (such as running or high impact sports), you can be sure that this bra will deliver great support without being constrictive. Freya specializes in lingerie, swimwear, and activewear up to a K cup so they know what it takes to provide optimal hold while allowing for a great range of movement.
Whether you enjoy hiking mountain trails or backpacking across Europe, Merrell will help get you wear you want to go. With comfy tees, trail-ready capris, stylish trucker hats, and recovery flip flops, you'll be set for high endurance outdoor adventure treks and lounging at the campsite afterward.
Pictured: Terrain Backpack 20L and Lakeside Trucker Hat.
Who knew that the socks you wear actually DO make a difference in terms of athletic performance, mobility, recovery, and comfort? When I have a choice, I always choose my Swiftwick socks because they are miraculously lightweight while also offering great support and a superior design to avoid chafing and blisters. Try any pair - you won't go wrong! Swiftwick socks also make great stocking stuffers!
Whether you're looking for preppy button-ups, lightweight track jackets, zip-up sweaters, or polos (as the name implies) to wear on the golf course or on a sailboat, be sure to browse the affordable pieces at US Polo Assn for Christmas. New items for the whole family are offered each season!
We had three girls playing volleyball this past season (a 12th grader, 9th grader, and 6th grader) and it was a wonderful whirlwind of a fall. Whenever we need volleyball clothes, shoes, or backpacks, we inevitably turn to Mizuno. While other athletic brands may have a few volleyball items here or there, Mizuno seems to really *get* volleyball. They consistently put out high-quality, well-fitting, and comfortable gear that helps with organization off the court and performance on the court.
Pictured (left to right): Techno VI Short Sleeve Volleyball Jersey, Youth Future Backpack, Organizer 23 Backpack, Women's Wave Dimension Volleyball Shoe.
Umbro has been a trusted soccer brand since 1924. They consistently put out soccer/football clothes that look and feel professional so you can focus on your skills instead of your clothes.
Pictured (left to right): Boys Checkerboard Short, El Salvador Youth Training Top, Girls Checkerboard Short, Girls Love the Game Tee, Girls Pullover 1/2 Zip Jacket, Women's Training Top, Women's Pullover Sweatshirt.
I played soccer for seven years in my childhood and my husband played at both the high school and collegiate level. Needless to say, we both know the importance of high quality cleats when it comes to performance and comfort on the field. Umbro has options for both youth and adult players. They even have a throwback pair of full grain leather boots that probably look exactly like what you wore in the 90's!
Pictured (left to right): Tocco 3 League Jr FG, Classico X FG Jr, Speciali Maxim FG, El Salvador Soccer Ball.
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Some of the products in the list below were sent to us to try. Other products are ones that we purchased ourselves or were given by family members and friends. Know that I will always provide both the pros and cons of each featured product. You are welcome to send any follow-up questions to me via twitter (I’m @stephsheaffer).