The best gifts for fitness fanatics: holiday 2017

For anyone who lives to scale a mountain, tear up the surf, or race down some slopes, this is the action sportswatch that’ll keep pace. Nixon's Mission smartwatch packs the highest waterproof rating of any other wearable to date (up to 100m/330ft). It's also bolstered by a shock-proof polycarbonate case and heavy-duty crystal glass, and houses one hell of a brain, too. Android Wear provides an array of Google features: Track calorie expenditure with Google Fit, listen to some tunes thanks to Google Play Music, and get exact directions via Google Maps. It even features Surfline and Snocountry's real-time surf and snow alerts, so you're basically giving the gift of the perfect shred. It’s available in black, concrete, and orange, but you can also tweak the face background, hand and digit colors, and subdials for a one-of-a-kind piece. ($400, nixon.com)

Give the gift of Tom Brady’s athletic excellence—well, almost—with this high-tech set of performance pajamas. Inspired by the GOAT himself, these aren’t just comfortable—they can also help aid recovery and improve sleep thanks to "far infrared" technology printed inside the garments. Essentially, the PJs absorb your body heat, then reflect the far infared back to your skin, which is thought to accelerate recovery and lower inflammation, according to Under Armour. ($199.98 for two-piece set, underarmour.com)

Brother a boxing devotee? Roommate have a killer garage gym? Gift this vintage-inspired Heritage Brown Leather Punching Bag. It's pricey, but the heavy-duty cowhide leather, premium craftsmanship, and timeless appeal make it a unique gift worth every penny (and jab).($399, cb2.com)

Got someone new in your life who's new to working out, needs to upgrade their training duds, or is just the best damn gym buddy around? Show 'em some love with Rhone's sweat-ready kit. It includes a lined, 7" training short, breathable tank, and cushy, odor-proof mid-calf socks. ($129, rhone.com)

Give the marathon lover (or running renegade) in your life the gift of speed with Nike's fastest shoe to date. Weighing in at a mere 6.5oz, the Zoom Vaporfly 4% has a carbon-nylon plate in the shoe's center that rolls you onto the balls of your feet, giving you rocket-fueled feel. They have more bounce, cushion, and zip than the Zoom Fly (albeit at a heftier price tag). They'll make any runner feel like a champion, that's for sure. ($250,nike.com)

Win the holiday season—and the heart of your yoga-loving mother-in-law—by gifting this ultra-high-cushioned yoga mat from Manduka. It's thicker and denser (6mm) than a traditional mat (3mm), giving more support and padding to relieve pain and pressure on joints. We love its specialized closed-cell surface that keeps sweat from drenching, then getting trapped in the mat. The extra-long version (85x26") is also perfect for tall guys. ($130, manduka.com)

Slipping on Roka's Maverick X wetsuit is like stepping into the world of Tron. The arms are constructed up, rather than down, so you won't feel the suit locking down your limbs or fighting your stroke, while a separate stretchy neck panel eliminates chafing. Roka's patented X-shaped taping at the lower back better aligns your body for sharper rotations. The coolest part: The suit incorporates a limestone-based neoprene from Japan for better stretch and temperature control. I love the compressive feel of the woven forearm panels, the quick-release ankle panels (a blessing when transitioning mid-race), and the strategic buoyancy—it's not chest-dominant, so you feel balanced and charged through every open-water swim. This is the ultimate holiday gift for the triathlete in your life (even if that's yourself). ($900, roka.com)

For the guy or girl who wants to get their Rocky on, there's no better option than Cleto Reyes' line of boxing gloves. A favorite among professionals, all Cleto Reyes goatskin leather gloves have a sweat-repellent liner to keep moisture from seeping into the padding. Go with the Traditional Training Glove for a sleek, classic look—its extra-long cuff offers great wrist and hand protection.($158–$169, cletoreyesboxing.com)

If you have a buddy or relative who's all about the classics, New Balance's Athletics 78 Jacket is a no-brainer. It pays homage to the brand's 1978 windcheater with the heritage twill and rubber patch on the chest and clean colorblock style. The sports jacket has modern upgrades, too, like reflective elements in the drawcord and a more durable exterior. It's available in four colors for men or women.($99,newbalance.com)

Who doesn't love (or need) a sleek backpack to schlep the day's essentials? This beauty has a separate compartment to air out (and isolate) funky gym kicks post-workout, a padded laptop pocket, and a fully zippered main section—so it's easy to load up your lunch, coffee, gymwear, and more. We love the additional quick-access pocket at the top of the pack to store your keys, phone, and gym card. Its streamlined design won't dwarf smaller frames, either. ($135,aersf.com)

JLab’s Epic Air wireless earbuds benefit from a comfortable, no-budge hooked design—optimal for long workouts, as is its tremendous battery life (36 hours including its mini charging case). We like the ease of its tap-touch controls. You can pause and skip a track and answer a call without blowing out an eardrum. ($150,jlabaudio.com)

The Terrex Agravic 3L Jacket is a perfect gift for the guy who'll trek through anything. The torso has three layers of weatherproof protection, but it stays breathable no matter how sweaty you get underneath. The jacket also packs a fully adjustable hood with a slight bill to let rain roll right off. ($299,adidasoutdoor.com)

Everyone has that friend who finds a strong training staple he loves, then buys 43 of the same thing. So do that guy a solid and get him Olivers' All Over Short three-pack. They're the ultimate do-everything short, whether your buddy likes to clean and jerk to oblivion or spend his time in a climbing gym. They have deep pockets, four-way stretch, and a water-repellent finish. Best of all, they come in eight flattering colors. ($183,oliversapparel.com)

These Crossrange Shield Prizm sunglasses transcend sport and age. Have a younger brother with a penchant for skateboarding and surfing? He'll be stoked. Have a dad who can kick your ass on the road and in the saddle? He'll be thrilled. The single lens gives a wide, unhindered field of view. The nose and temple pads are easy to swap out, too, so you can more easily transition the frames into a casual lifestyle look. The frames are also optimized for guys with large heads—just, y'know, don't tell Dad that fact.($183,oakley.com)

If your brother wears training threads 24/7 (in case he wants to drop into burpees at any given moment) drop a subtle hint and gift him these Stretch Crepe Joggers—they're all comfort, no sloppiness. Rather than tight-fitting spandex or loose-hanging fleece, Outdoor Voices capitalizes on a crisp-feeling, flexible nylon that resists wind and water. They're perfect for everyday wear and can handle semi-sweaty activities, like an impromptu game of basketball.($90, outdoorvoices.com)

The Aero Speed Jump Rope is like the Maserati of jump ropes. Made by world record-holding speed jumper Buddy Lee, this rope easily has the hardware to churn through five to six turns per second. We love that you can adjust the length of the rope according to height, so your 6'5" brother can power through double-unders without taking off his head.($40,buddyleejumpropes.com)

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