Best Gifts for Cyclists They'll Want to Use on Their Next Ride

Merino wool is an excellent material for socks because it wicks away moisture to keep you cool in summer and warm in the winter. Swiftwick is popular among the cycling community and its Merino socks absorb moisture, so even if you sweat, your feet won’t feel damp. These ankle socks have compression and a cuff that covers enough ankle to prevent blisters. They are also available in several sizes for men and women, which is rare for socks.

I'm not the biggest fan of CO2 tire inflators, largely because the mini cartridges they use are difficult to recycle and typically end up in landfills. But I've also been stranded 35 miles from my car in the middle of nowhere with a flat, and my compact tire inflator saved me from having to walk or hitch a ride home. When used properly, these tire inflators are a miracle. You can tuck one into your bag and never think about it again, and for that reason every cyclist should have one. 

Polar Bottles are common among cyclists, and for good reason. They're reasonably priced, the insulation works reasonably well and the quick grab ring makes it easy to pull the bottles out of the bike cage when you need a quick drink. The prices vary depending on the size and style you get, but most bottle cages support the larger 24-ounce bottle with no problem and those start at just $12.

Built by cyclists for cyclists, Strava tracks their rides, offering data such as speed, distance, time, elevation and more. The service is free, but with a paid subscription ($80 a year or $7 a month), they'll get access to advanced metrics, route planning and a training dashboard. Strava can also track swims and runs. At the moment, Strava is offering a 30-day free trial.

Grey sunglasses are said to help minimize glare and eye fatigue, and work well in both cloudy and sunny conditions, making them great for cycling. These smoke-tint sunglasses from Tifosi will help cut down on glare and have grippy nose pads designed not to slip during outdoor activities. Plus they come in several colors.

Fun wheel lights like these WheelBrightz are fantastic for showing some flair when doing rides on special occasions, or just making sure you're seen. You can use them to stand out on dark solo rides, or to make you and your fellow riders feel like part of a pack (especially if your co-riders are kids or young at heart). WheelBrightz lights deliver light in a ton of different colors to make the wheels truly shine.

Cyclists are often out on long rides and need to stay fueled to finish. Science in Sport's energy gels do just that -- providing calories and carbohydrates in a way that's quick to eat. This variety pack has a sample of seven flavors, including pineapple and lemon-lime.

Not all bike bottles are created equal, and I can tell you from experience that most of the ones claiming to be insulated aren't doing much to keep your drinks warm or cold. So when I go to ride in what may be considered extreme temperatures by some, I grab my Velo Canteen. It's perfect for bringing a hot cup of coffee or something cold with lots of sugar in it, designed to fit in a bottle cage or a bike bag, and the lid can be personalized if you want to do something cool like put their name on it.

Every cyclist already owns a set of tools, but when you run into problems on a ride, portability is key. There's not a lot of space on most bikes, so being able to keep your tools in the smallest possible package matters. The Crankbrothers multitool has 19 tools that work with nearly every bike, including mini screwdrivers and a hex key. It's so small it can easily fit into a backpack and it's a great addition to any existing toolkit that might be stored on the bike itself.

One thing every cyclist absolutely needs after a good ride is some time to recover. That usually means drinking lots of water, eating something rich in protein and taking care of your muscles. Most cyclists have a routine after a ride, but a good massage gun is a great gift that makes all the difference in the world. We have a great collection of the best massage guns, but the most compact and portable you'll find right now is the Theragun Mini. If you want a great massage gun that can go with you anywhere, this is the best choice.

One of the more niche groups of cyclists out there are bikepackers -- people who ride on long trails and bring everything they need to camp out for a couple of days. Where most cyclists tend to focus on reducing weight wherever possible, bikepackers use special mounts to carry more. One of the better examples of this is the Telos Bikepacking tent, which comfortably sleeps two and compresses down small enough to strap to your bike while adding just a little over 4 pounds. It's a solid tent, and ideal for anyone who wants to go further on their bike for longer.

This Garmin watch is a favorite among cyclists because it's packed with features, from GPS and route strategies to heart-rate variability tracking and incident detection in case you fall. Any serious cyclist will appreciate it.

Headphones are complicated things when you're on a bike. If they're too quiet, the world around the bike can drown them out. If they're overly loud or block out ambient sounds, you risk not being able to hear vehicles around you. The best kind of headphones for cyclists deliver good quality audio while also letting you keep tabs on oncoming traffic. These Shokz OpenFit earbuds have quality speakers that rest just over your ears to transmit great sound with a design that stays on your ears no matter where you're riding. And if you're going to give the gift of sound to a cyclist, these are the best.