Americans' love of sports is no secret, and many of us like to practice those sports just as much as we like to watch professionals play the game. Research estimates that U.S. online sporting goods sales reach $586 million annually, with that number increasing to $4.22 billion in 2004.
So if you need new hockey skates, a tennis racket or just a pair of running shoes, consider trying an online merchant. Many of your favorite bricks-and-mortar stores have extensive online counterparts to serve your needs 24 hours a day. Check out ShoppingSpot.com's Sporting Goods category to get started.
The first step is to do your research. Consumer Search offers unbiased reviews of bicycles, camping equipment and more. Once you've decided which brand and product you want to buy, do a price comparison search. At sites like DealTime, you can find out which merchant is selling your coveted in-line skates for the lowest price.
Another option is to browse for sales. eDealFinder scouts out the best sales, coupons and promotions from around the Web.
If you're a fan of online auctions, SportingAuction offers bidding for a variety of sporting goods categories, including bicycles, skis, in-line skates and more. Shipping information is available on each product page.
Popular Stores
The following megastores seem to offer every ball, bat, club, shoe and racket for any sport:
FogDog Sports
From camping to swimming to squash, FogDog has it covered. Larger pieces of equipment offer multiple photos, and some favorite brands have their own "shops" within the site.
REI
If you love camping, hiking, biking or fishing, you'll love REI. Check out Learn & Share, which offers tons of tips on where to go, what gear to bring and more. If you have the expertise, share it in one of the forums!
Champs Sports
When you get to the Champs Sports site, you can immediately choose if you want to shop for equipment, clothing, shoes, accessories or fan gear. You can also shop by brand or by sport.
--- S. Twetten
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