Editors' Gift Picks

Has a birthday, anniversary or special occasion descended on your life like a pile of urgent paperwork landing on your desk at 6 p.m.? Do you wish the event could be postponed or put off a year? If so, I’ll bet it’s because you haven’t done your gift shopping yet.

Some recommendations:

Rope Yourself some Fitness (no photo available)
Help the traveling businessperson in your life with a gift that makes exercising on the road easy. And one that can be used to make a statement. For example: When he’s kept up late by a raucous party in the hotel room below, he can get revenge by jumping rope thunderously over the miscreant’s heads in the gray light of dawn. All it takes is for you to give him Power Systems Pro-Vinyl perfectly balanced jump rope ($10). It has molded handles and American-made ball bearings for smooth, fast rotation. The rope is strong vinyl for long wear. And besides paying back inconsiderate travelers, it packs a wallop of a workout into a small, simple-to-use package. http://www.power-systems.com

Shweet Shoes
Yes Thelma, all terrain does make a difference when you’re running. And New Balance All Terrain running shoes (model #W802NG) can cut the mustard, offering improved traction and performance and making a great gift for that woods strider on your list. These sneaks love the trail and are especially nice for the wider foot and higher arch. They’re also pretty cool looking for sporting around town. About $78 at http://www.nbnorthshore.com/wrunn.htm

Two-Wheel Jewels
Do you love your bike so much that you have to wear parts of it when you’re not riding it? Sprocket Head makes affordable and ingenious bracelets, earrings and necklaces out of miscellaneous small bike parts. These fashions will be a big hit with any cyclist. Shown is one of the $15 bracelets. This version is partly constructed of colorful aluminum spoke nipples; other available models are made of bicycle chain. For other items, check http://www.sprockethead.com/jewel.htm#necklaces

Help for Aching Dogs
Sure, custom orthotics might provide a more stable foot plant while walking or hiking and prevent injuries—but they sure are expensive. Fortunately, there’s a great alternative. If you know someone suffering from knee and foot problems on the trail, try Superfeet Footbeds. These over-the-counter footbeds are only $24. But, they’re made of high-quality leather and the deep heel cup distributes shock while the arch support relieves overpronation. Many athletes (they make different designs for different sports) swear by their Superfeet Footbeds. http://www.superfeet.com

Norway Noggin Warmer
Your favorite cross-country skier may never make the famed Norwegian ski team, but with this National-team Hat she’ll at least look the part. It’s classic red wool, complete with stylin’ pom-pom, snowflake-design band, and little Norwegian flag. All for $24.95. http://www.velogear.com/velogear/19nornatskit.html

Perfect Peepers
Whether he wants to watch birds, scout a rock-climbing route a thousand feet above the trail, or just keep track of the kids, Minolta’s Activa Pocket Binoculars ($170) will be a great addition to your sports enthusiast’s gear closet. They weight only 10.4 ounces, have 8x magnification, are weatherproof, and fit in your breast pocket. What more could anyone want? Check http://www.rei.com for details.

Give Some Rub Time
My idea of a great present is a gift certificate for a massage. Athletes recover more quickly after hard workouts and races if they get a thorough rub down. The cost varies depending on massage time but expect to pay $50 to $75 for an hour. To find a great sports masseuse in your area ask around; friends, your health care provider, or your health club may offer great referrals. Also, check out http://www.yahoo.com yellow pages under the keywords “sport massage.” When contacting a masseuse ask about certification (look for national certification with a focus on sports massage, deep tissue and trigger points), fees and ask for references.

Victory Video
So you can’t afford a $4,000 carbon bike for the cyclist on your list. You’ll still be a hero when he unwraps this videotape of the 1999 Tour de France featuring Lance Armstrong’s inspiring victory after battling back from cancer. Roughly 200 minutes long, the tape costs $44.95. http://www.velogear.com/velogear/19tourdefran1.html

Cool Cure for Swimmer’s Ear
Make exercise more fun for your water-loving friend by tucking a Kayakers’ FM Sounds Radio ($19.95) in their in-box. This tiny waterproof marvel allows listening to soothing FM radio while swimming. That’s got to beat the Speedo off listening to nothing but those relentless gurgling sounds. http://www.rei.com