What are sporting goods?

That's easy: if you need it to play or practice a sport, it's considered "sporting goods"! Think of it as all the equipment involved in activities like baseball, lacrosse, or even yoga, from bats and balls to protective gear and uniforms.

Why should I shop online for sporting goods?

Selection, availability and pricing. You'll have a hard time finding a local retailer that can beat online stores in all three of those aspects. Especially at the peak of the season, when inventory near you is at an all-time low, shopping online makes it easy to get what you need.

Which online retailer should I use for my sports equipment?

Choose a store that has what you need in stock and that has a great reputation for quality and customer service. You can also look for customer-friendly perks like a rewards program, free shipping, or frequent promotions and discounts. You may want to consider buying from a retailer that has a brick-and-mortar store near you, for simple returns and the ability to order online and get same-day pickup.

Is shipping expensive?

Many stores will give you free shipping on orders that meet a minimum amount (like $50). Given how spendy sporting goods can be, you should be able to qualify with most purchases.

How quickly can I get my order delivered?

If you're in a rush, you might have the option of paying for expedited shipping to get next-day or 2-day delivery. Otherwise, expect your order to take about a week to arrive.

Can I return my purchase?

Most online sporting goods stores offer a 30-day return policy on new, unused items. Some retailers go the extra mile and let you return your purchase with no time limit, as long as you have the receipt. Be aware that returns may incur a restocking fee and/or shipping fees to send the items back to the store.

Can I get a team discount on sporting goods?

Yes! Some sporting goods stores will give you a generous discount if you're buying equipment for a team. Look for that information in the links at the bottom of the retailers' websites, or reach out to their customer service team before placing an order.

Can I get personalized sporting goods when I shop online?

Sometimes. You can usually see those options after you add an item to your cart (e.g. monogramming), or you may need to work with a customer service rep to place a manual order (e.g. putting team logos on shirts).

Best Sporting Goods Stores for March 2026

Item: The Best Sporting Goods Stores - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Saturday, March 7th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Sporting Goods Store Reviews

Where is the best place to get sporting goods? Sports is one of those fields (pun intended) where the right equipment can make or break your sporting experience. Whether you're a first-time player, joining a school team, a longtime pro, or just picking up a new-to-you sport for fun, the proper sporting goods are key to having a good time. Sporting goods retailers are popping up all over the place, too, making it easier than ever to find the equipment you need to make your sport a winning experience.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Scheels

Pricing for researched items: $7.99 to $1,500
Pricing for Nike: $7.99 to $1,500
20+ sports brands

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Scheels website

Scheels is a huge sporting goods store that offers everything from team gear and outdoor equipment to trendy fashion brands. With over 1,700 items for baseball alone and brands like Nike, Easton, and Columbia, Scheels makes it easy to shop with helpful filters, detailed listings, and free shipping on orders over $50. While some shipping delays can happen, Scheels still earns top marks for variety, customer service, and a generous 90-day return policy. It should be #1 on your list when shopping for sporting goods online.

4.5

GREAT

Great

Walmart

Pricing for researched items: $14.87 to $1,081
Pricing for Nike: $14.87 to $1,081
50+ sports brands

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GREAT

4.5

On the Walmart website

Walmart may be better known for groceries, but it offers a huge selection of sporting goods in popular categories like football, baseball, and softball. With trusted brands like Easton, Wilson, and Nike, Walmart makes it easy to find gear for dozens of sports while offering savings through free shipping on $35+ orders or added discounts with a Walmart+ membership. Walmart earns high marks from the BBB and stands out as one of the most affordable choices for anyone looking to stock up on quality sports equipment without breaking the bank.

4.4

GREAT

Great

Paragon Sports

Pricing for researched items: $15.99 to $499.99
Pricing for Nike: $15.99 to $299
10+ sports brands

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GREAT

4.4

On the Paragon Sports website

Paragon Sports brings over a century of experience to the table and focuses on high-quality gear for everything from skiing and lacrosse to softball and tennis. The website is easy to use with helpful filters, and Paragon Sports offers over 500 items in some sport categories. While return shipping comes out of your pocket, Paragon Sports still impresses with strong reviews and great customer service.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Online Sports

Pricing for researched items: $25.23 to $226.43
100+ sports brands
3,000+ football items in stock

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Online Sports website

Online Sports stands out with a massive inventory of over 150,000 items, including used and collectible gear like signed balls and vintage helmets, which makes it a fun option for both athletes and collectors. The website can be slow to load, but it offers filters for league, brand, and shipping to help narrow your search. While Online Sports has very few third-party reviews, the company does hold an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, making it a good pick for shoppers who want affordable gear and love fan paraphernalia.

3.5

GOOD

Good

Anthem Sports

Pricing for researched items: $19.95 to $449.99
24+ sports brands
900+ football items in stock

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GOOD

3.5

On the Anthem Sports website

Anthem Sports is a family-run sporting goods store that focuses on team and coaching equipment more than individual gear. While the site carries thousands of items across 24+ brands and sports, the focus isn't really on player-specific items like helmets or playing gear. Anthem Sports earns praise for its top-rated customer service and fast shipping, but limited filtering options and no free shipping mean it's best for schools or coaches looking to stock up.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

DICK'S Sporting Goods

Pricing for researched items: $6.97 to $890.99
Pricing for Nike: $6.97 to $850
15+ sports brands

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the DICK'S Sporting Goods website

DICK'S Sporting Goods has been around since 1948 and now offers over 850 locations along with a huge online selection of gear for sports like baseball, football, and golf. The site carries popular brands like Nike, Easton, and Under Armour. While DICK'S Sporting Goods gets strong ratings on Google for its variety and fast delivery, customer service issues and shipping problems have led to lower scores elsewhere, giving it a more mid-tier rating in our review.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Dunham's Sports

Pricing for researched items: $7.97 to $499.99
Pricing for Nike: $7.97 to $280
100+ sports brands

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FAIR

2.5

On the Dunham's Sports website

Dunham's Sports is a Midwest-based sporting goods store with hundreds of popular brands like Nike, Columbia, and Easton. The site offers sport-specific filters, along with a price-match guarantee that helps shoppers save on name-brand gear. While Dunham's Sports has a strong variety and a 60-day return policy, the company's mixed customer reviews and low Better Business Bureau rating suggest that you may want to stick with online orders or check reviews for your local store first.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

Big 5 Sporting Goods

Pricing for researched items: $19.95 to $449.99
Pricing for Nike brand: $6.99 to $99.99
100+ sports brands

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SUBPAR

2.0

On the Big 5 Sporting Goods website

Big 5 Sporting Goods is a long-standing retailer with over 400 stores and a focus on casual sports gear and brand-name items from companies like Nike, Adidas, and Columbia. The website offers a simple browsing experience with detailed filters, but the inventory per sport is fairly limited, and key items like football helmets are missing. While Big 5 Sporting Goods stands out for brand variety and easy returns, its low ratings and frequent complaints about customer service make it less appealing. We recommend getting your sporting gear from a retailer that lands a little higher on our list.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

Academy Sports

Pricing for researched items: $6.97 to $599.99
Pricing for Nike: $6.97 to $599.99
9 sports brands

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WEAK

1.5

On the Academy Sports website

Academy Sports is a large sporting goods retailer with both an online store and over 300 physical locations across 21 states, offering gear for everything from baseball to camping. The site has helpful search filters and carries top brands like Nike, Easton, and Under Armour. While Academy Sports has a huge selection and offers perks like free shipping and 60-day returns, its poor customer service and low third-party review scores led to a disappointing rating in our review.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Champs Sports

Pricing for researched items: $10 to $285
12+ sports brands
250 football items in stock

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POOR

1.0

On the Champs Sports website

Champs Sports is a retail and online store that focuses mostly on athletic apparel rather than sporting goods. While this retailer carries top brands like Nike, Adidas, and Jordan, the site is built more for fashion than actual sporting gear, with limited inventory for items like cleats and no stock at all for bats or helmets. Although Champs Sports has a clean and fast website, the narrow return window, extra fees, and ongoing complaints about poor customer service make it a risky pick for serious sports shoppers.

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Get Sporting Goods?

Sports is one of those fields (pun intended) where the right equipment can make or break your sporting experience. Whether you're a first-time player, joining a school team, a longtime pro, or just picking up a new-to-you sport for fun, the proper sporting goods are key to having a good time. Sporting goods retailers are popping up all over the place, too, making it easier than ever to find the equipment you need to make your sport a winning experience.

Choosing an online sporting goods store is a great idea if you're looking for a place where you can buy it all. Sports don't just require the big stuff like baseball bats or hockey masks. You'll also need to buy the basics: socks, pants, golf balls, warm-up gear, and more. The best sporting goods stores will be a one-stop shop with everything you need in one place.

Have kids who play different sports? No problem. Need extras like water bottles or workout gear on top of your sport-specific goods? They've got it. Some sporting goods stores have more specialized inventory (which would be great if you're a pro in that particular sport), but for most customers, having a wide variety is going to help you across all your various sports requirements.

The best part? Most sporting goods stores offer impressive deals. Since the sites are mostly online (though there are still a few brick-and-mortar stores if you're someone who likes to try things on), you won't run into overhead costs all the time. Plus, you can browse through clearance and seasonal promotions you won't find elsewhere when you shop at a sporting goods store online. Plus, the top competitors will have solid policies for both shipping and returns, resulting in high customer satisfaction and also great for keeping the total price in your cart down.

Whether you're buying varsity football gear for your student athlete, grabbing some new leotards for a new gymnast, or ordering some new shoes to try out running for the first time (good luck), there's a sporting goods store out there to meet your needs. No matter your budget, you'll be able to find a sporting goods store that ticks all the boxes.

But, with so many options, it can be hard to decide which sporting goods store deserves your business. There are so many things to consider, so we made it simple with a quick list of factors that can help you decide:

Inventory. The best sporting goods stores have a solid one-stop-shop approach. This means they have large inventories, and competitive numbers of items (or popular brands) to make sure you don't need to shop anywhere else. Look for solid inventory at your chosen sporting goods store to make sure you're getting the best lineup.
Cost. Budget is a major factor for most people. Whether you're visiting a sporting goods store for your child or yourself, you'll want to make sure you're not overpaying. Check on similar prices and whether your chosen sporting goods store has deals or seasonal discounts that help keep costs down.
Return policy. It's important when you're buying items online to consider the return and refund policies. Sporting goods stores sometimes have less-than-stellar return policies - they can be somewhat restrictive. Make sure you check out the policy for your chosen sporting goods store before you buy.
Customer reviews. Finally, you'll want to check out the customer reviews. Policies and site promises are great, but knowing exactly how sports fans like you feel about a sporting goods store's customer service, refunds, or gear quality can give you the full picture. Check out verified third-party reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. Also, check out a company's rating with the Better Business Bureau to see if it's trustworthy.

You don't need to worry about finding the best sporting goods stores out there: with our detailed research and rankings, Top Consumer Reviews has identified the top sporting goods stores online today. This way, you can get your head in the game and enjoy your sport (or cheer on a loved one who's playing). Let's play ball!