Petzl Actik Core

For much of the UK year, runners are training in the dark, which makes a good head torch one of the most practical gifts you can give. The Actik Core puts out up to 625 lumens on its CORE rechargeable battery (around 450 lumens on AAAs), weighs a manageable 88g, and its standout feature is that hybrid CORE battery that also accepts three AAA cells, so they're never stranded mid-run with a flat torch. A red-light mode preserves night vision without dazzling others. It ranks here rather than higher because it's a narrower, single-purpose gift than a watch, but on value and Petzl's reliability it's hard to beat, and its output comfortably exceeds most cheap own-brand torches. A head-strap beam also bounces more on rough trails than a dedicated chest lamp.