No. 07 · Cross CountryThe best gifts for cross country runners are a pair of XC racing flats fitted to their feet, a supportive trainer for daily practice and the meet-day extras every runner needs, like energy chews, good socks and a shoe bag. Spikes aren’t allowed at Arizona and Southern California high school meets, so our Fit Experts picked waffle-soled flats and lightweight racers that work on our dry, hard-packed courses. Our Fit Experts picked gifts for middle school and high school cross country runners, plus fun Chicknlegs split shorts for the whole team.
NikeZoom Rival Waffle 6 – Men's – Hyper Orange/Lime Blast$70Shop
NikeZoom Rival Waffle 7 – Men's – Citron Pulse/Indigo Burst/Blue Void$75Shop
NikeVaporfly 4 – Women's – Glacier Blue/Gridiron/Blue Tint$159.99Shop
NikeVaporfly 4 – Women's – Violet Mist/Purple Dynasty$159.99Shop
SauconyEndorphin Speed 5 – Women's – Shock/Black$129.99Shop
SauconyEndorphin Speed 5 – Men's – Lapis/Navy$129.99Shop
NikePegasus Plus 2 – Women's – White/Purple Dynasty/Volt$170Shop
NikePegasus Plus 2 – Men's – White/Lemon Venom/Black$170Shop
NikeStructure 26 – Women's – Violet Mist/Sapphire Purple$145Shop
NikeStructure 26 – Men's – Grey Fog/Summit White$145Shop
NikeVomero 18 – Women's – Summit White/Metallic Silver$155Shop
NikeVomero 18 – Men's – Summit White/Metallic Silver$155Shop
AsicsGt-2000 14 – Women's – Winter Sea/White$109.99Shop
AsicsGt-2000 14 – Women's – Black/White$109.99Shop
AsicsGt-2000 14 – Men's – Midnight/Stillwater$109.99ShopChicknlegs cherry split shorts, our pink high neck tank and Vuori's Halo full zip hoodie in Dragonfruit for chilly warm-ups.
Blue Flamingo split shorts with our Mesa Rose tank and blister-resist Balega socks.
Chicknlegs Choccy Cows split shorts with a crisp white Vuori Energy tank and Smartwool socks.
Tracksmith's Van Cortlandt shorts in Anemone with our heather black tank and Body Glide for long runs.
Tracksmith's classic race kit: the Van Cortlandt tee and shorts in navy, topped with the Hare Hat.
The Van Cortlandt long sleeve with black Session Shorts and Inverno gloves for frosty morning practice.
The Trackhouse hoodie, Eliot Ryder sneakers and an insulated bottle for the walk back to the team tent.
A navy Grayboy tee, black Chicknlegs split shorts and the Tracksmith shoe bag for racing flats on meet day.
TracksmithBell Lap Top – Women's – Raspberry/Ivory$80Shop
TracksmithVan Cortlandt Singlet – Women's – Raspberry/Ivory$75Shop
TracksmithVan Cortlandt Short – Women's – Navy$70Shop
TracksmithTrackhouse Crew – Women's – Gray$120Shop
TracksmithEliot Ryder – All Gender – Wine$220Shop
TracksmithOlmstead Pack – Navy/Ivory$160Shop
TracksmithVan Cortlandt Singlet – Men's – Ivory/Bering Sea$70Shop
TracksmithVan Cortlandt Tee – Men's – Bering Sea/Ivory$75Shop
TracksmithSession Tee – Men's – Black$85Shop
TracksmithGrayboy Tee – Men's – Black/Ivory$34.99Shop
TracksmithGrayboy Tee – Unisex – Wine/Ivory$34.99Shop
TracksmithGrayboy Tee – Men's – Forest/Yellow$34.99Shop
OS1stWicked Comfort Crew – Charcoal Stripe$19.99Shop
OS1stWicked Comfort Crew – White Stripe$19.99Shop
OS1stWicked Comfort Crew – Navy Stripe$19.99Shop
Jason MarkkCare Kit$35.99ShopTracksmithOlmstead Pack – Navy/Ivory$160Shop
LMNTSparkling Electrolyte Water – 16 oz$4Shop
NOOGSEnergy Chews$3.99Shop
Honey StingerEnergy Waffle$1.79Shop
Carbs FuelSalted Original 50g Energy Gel$3Shop
Make it a team night: an easy 2–3 mile run (or walk) through Glendale’s holiday lights with our Tortoise & Hare family. Wear something festive and bring the whole cross country team. Proceeds benefit The Hope Effect, and the run is sponsored by Brooks.
Teens grow fast, and racing flats and trainers should be fitted to their feet. A gift card covers a full 5-Point Fit with a Fit Expert, including a 3D foot scan and gait analysis, so they can find the shoe that feels best. Available from $10 to $500.
Cyber Monday, Nov 30 only: buy $100 get $10, buy $150 get $15, buy $200 get $30, buy $250 get $45 in bonus cards.
Buy a gift card →The best gift for a cross country runner is a pair of XC racing flats fitted to their feet. Spikes aren't allowed at Arizona or Southern California high school championship meets, so runners here race in spikeless waffle flats like the Nike Zoom Rival Waffle or in a lightweight racer. If you're not sure of their size, a Tortoise & Hare gift card covers a full 5-Point Fit with a Fit Expert.
Not at most high school meets. The AIA's 2026 state cross country guide says spikes are not allowed on Arizona's sectional courses or the state championship course. In California, the CIF Southern Section requires runners to wear running shoes and does not permit spikes, and most other CIF sections ban them too. Rules can differ by meet, so check with the coach.
Spikes have a stiff spike plate with removable metal pins that dig into grass and mud. Racing flats, also called spikeless or waffle shoes, have no pins and grip with a lugged rubber outsole instead. Spikes help most on wet, muddy or soft courses. Flats are better on dry courses with hard-packed dirt and paved sections, like most Arizona courses, and they're comfortable enough for workouts too.
In 1971, Nike co-founder and Oregon coach Bill Bowerman used his wife Barbara's waffle iron to make a grid-patterned sole. Spikes dug in too deep and flat soles slipped, and the raised waffle squares gave grip in between. Nike still uses the name on its spikeless Zoom Rival Waffle cross country racer.
Yes. Most cross country runners do daily practice miles in a cushioned trainer, like the Nike Pegasus Plus, Structure or Vomero or the Asics GT-2000, and save their racing flats for workouts and meets.
Running socks, energy chews, Honey Stinger waffles, LMNT electrolytes, a Jason Markk kit for dusty shoes and Chicknlegs split shorts all make great stocking stuffers for cross country runners.
Running socks, Tortoise & Hare tees, Chicknlegs split shorts and energy chews make great team gifts. Ask our Glendale store about ordering several of the same item for a team.
Yes. The Holiday Lights Run on Wednesday, December 9 at 6 PM is an easy 2–3 mile run or walk through Glendale's holiday lights, and teams are welcome. Proceeds benefit The Hope Effect, and it's sponsored by Brooks.
Our return policy is 45 days. New, unworn items get a full refund, and worn items can be exchanged or returned for store credit. Final sale items can't be returned.
