The Runner’s Guide to Spending Your HSA/FSA

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Let’s be real: aside from a supportive pair of running shoes, you don’t need any extra gear to run. But a few goodies and gadgets won’t hurt! Certain products can enhance your routine by providing motivation, recovery support, or even valuable data to optimize your approach. And if you have an HSA or FSA, you could spend your pre-tax dollars on eligible items for a more affordable running haul. 

To ensure your HSA or FSA gets put to good use, we reached out to a running pro for her go-to product recs. Whether you’ve just entered the running world or have been striding since high school track meets, these HSA/FSA-eligible picks are worth a look.  

The Expert

• Kristen Hislop, owner at Hislop Coaching, USAT Level 1 certified triathlon coach, USA Cycling Level 3 coach, AFAA certified personal trainer

A Quick Note on HSA/FSA Eligibility

Before diving into our recommendations, note that the products listed here require a Letter of Medical Necessity, or LMN, to secure HSA or FSA reimbursement. “This comes from your licensed healthcare provider saying that an item or service that might normally be considered ‘general wellness’ is medically necessary to treat or manage a specific diagnosed condition,” says Hislop. “For HSA/FSA purposes, it can sometimes turn a normally non-eligible or questionable expense—such as certain exercise equipment, massage/recovery tools, or therapeutic devices—into an eligible medical expense.”

And while it might sound like an inconvenience to get an LMN for HSA/FSA purchases, it’s actually pretty easy with Truemed, a platform that provides LMNs entirely online (often within hours). 

Rec #1: Hyperice Products for Recovery

Hyperice is an award-winning brand of recovery tech. As a high-impact activity, running necessitates dedicated recovery time to prevent overuse injuries. Hislop recommends the brand for runners, particularly its Normatec boots, Hypervolt, and Vyper. 

• Normatec products use Hyperice’s patented dynamic air compression to boost circulation, flush out lactic acid, and prevent post-run swelling. If you struggle with sore, fatigued legs or ultra-tight calves, Normatec compression could help you recover faster. Options include:

• Normatec 3 Legs, compression boots with 5 overlapping zones extending from the feet to the upper quads for full-leg recovery. Their ZoneBoost feature allows you to add 60 extra seconds of compression where you need it most. 

• Normatec Elite Legs, Hyperice’s most advanced compression boot option with no hoses, wires, or separate control box. At just 3.2 pounds per boot, they balance portability with functionality for runners who take recovery seriously, but need a practical option that fits into their busy routine. 

• Normatec Go, a portable, hose-free option that fits over the calf muscles with 7 pressure levels and 3 overlapping zones. And you can wear them while standing, walking, or traveling!

• Normatec Elite Hips, a first-of-its-kind portable dynamic compression device designed for the hips, IT bands, and lower back. Running can compound with hip and lower back tension from sitting at a desk all day—this device is a game-changer for pain in these areas. 
• Hypervolt is Hyperice’s line of massage guns for deep tissue massage. They’re powerful and easy to use, making them a popular choice for managing soreness and tight muscles among both pro athletes, including Hislop, and casual exercisers. Options include:

• Hypervolt Go 2, Hyperice’s most portable, lightweight option at just 1.5 pounds with 3 speeds, a 40-watt high-torque motor, and 2 head attachments

• Hypervolt 3 Pro, Hyperice’s most powerful percussion massage gun with a 90-watt high-torque motor, 5 speed settings, and 5 interchangeable head attachments for committed runners who need an advanced, heavy-duty massage tool

• The Vyper 3 is Hyperice’s vibrating foam roller that combines traditional foam rolling with deep tissue vibration to enhance your warm-up and recovery. It has 3 vibration speeds and a contoured design so you can target key areas (like the hamstrings, calves, glutes, and hip flexors) without creating painful pressure points. 

Rec #2: Wearables (Whoop, Oura, Garmin)

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to invest in a wearable, take this as a sign. While you’ll need an LMN for HSA/FSA reimbursement, a wearable can seriously benefit your running routine by providing valuable health data to track your progress, guide your recovery, and set informed goals. 

Hislop recommends Whoop and Oura: “I have used both and great tools for runners, especially if you hate wearing a watch to bed,” she says. Here are a few key features to know about each:
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• Whoop is a performance wearable you wear on your wrist or upper arm. It captures various metrics, focusing on strain, recovery, and sleep, with the in-app, AI-driven Whoop Coach as a major draw. The coach takes your biometric data to provide personalized fitness, sleep, and health guidance. 

• Oura is a smart ring that tracks sleep and recovery with over 50 metrics, including sleep stages, heart rate, calorie burn, skin temp, and many more. It’s ideal for people who want to minimize bulk as much as possible, although it’s much more of a general health tracker than a dedicated running watch. 

Hislop also named Garmin as a wearable to consider for your running routine. Unlike Whoop and Oura, it has a built-in GPS to track running routes and a screen for convenient mid-run pace checks. 

Rec #3: Sunscreen

Sunscreen is automatically HSA/FSA-eligible: no LMN required! While not as flashy as the cutting-edge tech we’ve already discussed, it’s a non-negotiable for outdoor runs, no matter the weather. The sun’s UV rays can cause harm in as little as 5 to 10 minutes of being outside, so even short runs can subject you to skin damage. 

Hislop recommends Zealios sunscreen: “This one is great as it has zinc oxide, so you get real coverage. They have a reef-safe product as well.”

If you’re looking for a sunscreen you can nab from the Stridekick Shop, consider these picks:

• Soleil Toujours’ Face + Body High SPF Duo, a reef-safe, vegan, water-resistant sunscreen bundle to shield your face and body on your next run. It includes the brand’s SPF 60 Nourishing Face Moisturizer and SPF 50 Clean Sunscreen Mist, both of which are packed with antioxidants and soothing ingredients like aloe and green tea to calm sensitive skin. 

• Agent Nateur’s holi (sun) SPF 50 Dewy Tinted Skin Drops is a cross between a blendable foundation and a daily sunscreen, with 12% non-nano zinc oxide and nourishing ingredients like squalene and rice bran to keep skin quenched. If your run club likes to grab a drink after the hard stuff, this product provides lightweight coverage and sun protection so you can head out with confidence. 

Rec #4: TENS Unit

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; it’s a device that delivers a gentle electrical current to targeted areas of the body to help curb pain signals. A Clinics and Practice study found that TENS significantly relieves pain from delayed-onset muscle soreness. So, if you struggle with intense aches and muscle tension after long runs, a TENS unit can help you recover faster. Hislop recommends them, although she notes that HSA/FSA-eligible options may be more expensive, so consider potential cost tradeoffs. 

Here are a few HSA/FSA-eligible TENS units from the Stridekick Shop:

• Aegis from Paingone is a wearable, wireless TENS device that targets lower back pain. This CE-certified medical device can be worn all day or for short sessions, with 15 treatment modes and 16 intensity levels to choose from. 

• Plus from Paingone is a handheld TENS pen you can use to direct concentrated electrical stimulation wherever you need it. If you travel often or want a portable option you can take to work (or even leave in your desk drawer), this battery-powered device could do the trick. 

From next-level recovery to metric-tracking, these runner-approved products can give you a boost of motivation on your next mile. And to explore other HSA/FSA-eligible options, browse the Stridekick Shop!

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