By

Bent Johnson

Jun 20, 2023

Online Sporting Goods Stores: Which Are the Best?

While some have proclaimed the end of traditional brick-and-mortar sporting goods stores, the reality is that there has been a shift towards online shopping and consolidation in the industry. Despite this, many beloved sports equipment retailers in America still exist, with a greater focus on ecommerce and fewer physical store location

we have compiled a list of some of the best online sports apparel sites, each offering top-quality sporting goods and gear to help you get the most out of your next workout or outdoor adventure.

Look no further the nearest sporting goods store.

Whether you’re looking for running shoes, yoga pants, camping gear, or fan merchandise, there is a website on our list that is sure to meet your needs.  We have also highlighted some of the notable features, promotions, and policies of each site to help you make an informed decision and get the best value for your money.

List of Online Sporting Goods Stores

1. Dick’s Sporting Goods

Dick’s Sporting Goods is a household name when it comes to sports and outdoor gear. Founded in 1948, it is considered the largest sporting goods and equipment retailer in the US.

Shopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods online store is easy for sports enthusiasts of every kind, thanks to intuitive categories and smart filters that make it easy to find what you’re looking for.

The store’s “This Week’s Deals” section features special offers to help you save money, and you’ll find the most popular trustworthy equipment on the “Top Brands” pages. We love the Scorecard & Scorerawards benefits programs, which lets you earn points and get rewards when you shop online at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

2. Academy Sports + Outdoors

Academy Sports + Outdoors, founded in 1938, is considered one of the largest online retailers of outdoor sports clothing and equipment. The company’s online store has everything for outdoor enthusiasts, from shooting, hunting, and fishing to camping, hiking, biking, boating, and even outdoor grilling and cooking gear.

If you are into traditional sports, you’ll find everything you need to play baseball, football, soccer, tennis, golf, and more. Want to support your team? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the Academy Sports + Outdoors online Fan Shop, where you can buy your favorite team’s clothing and accessories, including shirts, socks, headwear, and more.

The best part is that Academy Sports+Outdoors online store offers free shipping on orders over $25.00 and free 2-hour in-store and curbside pickup.

3. Big 5 Sporting Goods

Big 5 Sporting Goods is one of the top sporting goods retailers in America, providing a full range of traditional sporting equipment and outdoor gear, including athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories. You’ll also find equipment for team sports, camping, fishing, hunting, winter and summer sports.

The Big 5 Sporting Goods online store goes beyond what you’d expect to find at most sporting goods stores, with plenty of games and toys like remote control cars, trampolines, frisbees, and even Outdoor & Lawn games.

The best part is that you can get free ground shipping when you place an order over $69.00, and there’s always something new to check out, thanks to Big 5 Sporting Good’s 1-day deals.

4. Champs Sports

Champs Sports is a a subsidiary of Foot Locker, Inc., is one of the largest specialty athletic footwear and apparel retailers in America, with more than 540 stores located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

If you’re looking solely for shoes and clothing, this is probably your best choice. You won’t find outdoor gear here, but you will find one of the best selections of footwear and apparel from big brands like Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Champion.

5. Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops is a pure outdoor goods company, with items for fishing, boating, shooting, hunting, and camping. At the Bass Pro Shops website you’ll find regular flash promos alongside special discounts for military personnel.

This premier outdoor gear retailer also has a rewards program – Bass Pro Club – where you can get free outdoor gear by earning points when you make a purchase.  The Bass Pro Club gives you member-only perks and the reward points you earn never expire.

Bass Pro Shops promises that if you find a lower price, they will match it at the time of your purchase.  If you’re a club member, the company will go one step further – they’ll beat the lower price by 5%.

6. Cabela’s

Cabela’s is a competitively priced specialty retailer of outdoor recreation equipment – particularly camping, recreational shooting, hunting and fishing. A subsidiary of Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s online store ships to 50 states, with a standard shipping fee of $10.00 on purchases under $50.00, and free shipping for purchases over $50.00, which takes between 5-10 business days.  You can also request 1-2 business days delivery for an additional $35.00 fee.

The best about Cabela’s online sporting goods store is the ‘Bargain Cave’, where you can find sales, rebates, and plenty of discounts.  The Cabela’s Club program unlocks access to exclusive perks and discounts, including a price match offer where Cabela’s will beat any lower price by 5%.  Signing up for Cabela’s Club is free and automatically earns you 50 reward points.

7. REI

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), is a major online retailer of sporting goods and apparel, equipment rental, and travel gear. From Patagonia to The North Face and everything in between, REI has a huge selection of the most popular and high-quality outdoor clothing brands.

REI Co-Op is the company’s own range of affordable outdoor gear and clothing, with the same innovation and quality you’ll find in other more expensive brands.

What makes REI truly unique is that the company is set up as a consumers’ cooperative, meaning that for a modest $10.00 membership fee you can earn 10% back on annual dividends, as long as you spend $10.00 on qualifying purchase every year. REI is literally a company that always gives back – with 70% of profits going to conservation efforts and local grassroots programs.

8. Fanatics

Fanatics is an outlier on this list, with its focus on sports apparel and merchandise. As an official partner of the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and PGA, the Fanatics website is quite simply the best online store for Fan Gear.

All major sporting league apparel can be found at Fanatics – NFL, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, MLB and MLS.  So if you’re looking for your favorite teams jerseys, headwear and other gear, Fanatics is the place to shop online.

What we like best about Fanatics is how much they put customers at the forefront.  You can earn and redeem “FanCash” whenever you place an order; you can exchange your jersey if your favorite player gets traded with the Jersey Protection  program; and there are also plenty of exclusive autographed memorabilia you’ll only find at Fanatics..

9. Nike.com

Nike really needs no introduction here, being the most recognizable sports brand on the planet. The reason it makes this list of sporting goods stores is its online dominance. With around 100 million visitors each month, Nike.com is the largest sports brand on the internet.

Nike.com has the full range of official Nike products. You can find Nike stuff at most of the other retailers on this list, but Nike.com is the place to go for dedicated Nike fans – any anyone looking for the highest quality sporting goods and apparel.

10. Decathlon

Decathlon online is a sporting and outdoor gear store that can be summed up simply – a great place to buy high quality products at low prices. Decathlon makes this possible by bringing the design and production process in-house, creating their own high quality brands, equipment and gear for more than 80 sports.

With more than 1,500 stores in 49 countries, Decathlon is the largest sporting goods retailer in the world with over 45 years of experience in providing quality affordable products while keeping the focus on ensuring customer satisfaction.

What’s also great about the online Decathlon stores is that shipping is free for purchases over $35.00, and you have one year to return anything you purchase from the online shop, as long as it hasn’t been used and is in the original packaging (it’s important to note that safety and lifesaving equipment, or products purchased at a discount, are not covered by this policy).

Other online stores that offer affordable, high-quality sporting goods worth mentioning:

  • Amazon: With a diverse range of products and competitive pricing, Amazon offers international shipping and customer reviews to help you make informed choices.
  • Eastbay: Specializing in popular brands and new releases, Eastbay offers a range of sports equipment and apparel for athletics, soccer, skating, and more.
  • Christy Sports is a sporting goods chain with 60+ locations in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Washington. They specialize in winter sports equipment, including skis and snowboards, and offer affordable rental packages.
  • Sports Direct: Offering products for football, golf, skiing, and more. Get international shipping by contacting them. Famous brands include Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. They are known for stocking high-quality goods that guarantee satisfaction.
  • The NBA Store: It offers a wide range of NBA gear, including jerseys, collectibles, DVDs, home décor, banner flags, and player collections. It has products for all NBA teams, and you can shop according to your favorite players.
  • Academy Sports: Shop clothing, shoes, and accessories for all sports at Academy Sports. Get 10% off your purchase if you’re a military officer. Check out their outdoor living segment for portable furniture and clothing.