Stores Like Dick’s Sporting Goods: 12 Sporting Goods Retailers Worth Trying
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About Dick's Sporting Goods
Founded
1948
USA
Ships to
US
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
Who does Dick's Sporting Goods actually serve best now? The answer is a Little League parent standing in the cleat aisle at 6pm, needing molded soccer boots in a youth size 3 and a mouthguard tonight, not in five-to-seven business days. Dick's built its empire on exactly that person — the wall of Nike and adidas cleats, the batting cages you could test-swing in, the Field & Stream fishing rods before that brand got folded, and the whole House of Sport concept with its climbing walls and putting greens meant to make a Saturday errand feel like an event.
That model still works when you need something today. It works less well the moment you have a phone and ten minutes.
The complaint isn't quality — it's that Dick's prices sit above what the same shoe costs direct from Nike, above what Academy charges two aisles over, and above the DTC brands that skip the middleman entirely. Regional coverage is patchy too; whole swaths of the country have an Academy or a Hibbett but no Dick's within an hour. For anyone who's tired of paying a big-box markup for the convenience of a store they don't actually live near, the field is a lot wider than one retailer's front door suggests.
That model still works when you need something today. It works less well the moment you have a phone and ten minutes.
The complaint isn't quality — it's that Dick's prices sit above what the same shoe costs direct from Nike, above what Academy charges two aisles over, and above the DTC brands that skip the middleman entirely. Regional coverage is patchy too; whole swaths of the country have an Academy or a Hibbett but no Dick's within an hour. For anyone who's tired of paying a big-box markup for the convenience of a store they don't actually live near, the field is a lot wider than one retailer's front door suggests.
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to Dick's Sporting Goods
1
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Est. 1938
Katy, Texas, USA
$
cheaper
Families in the South and Texas wanting the same one-stop trip for less
The closest big-box analog: team sports, footwear, fishing, and hunting under one roof, usually priced under Dick's on identical gear.
Pros
- Consistently lower prices on cleats and bats
- Strong hunting and fishing departments
- Good house brands like Magellan and BCG
Cons
- Store footprint concentrated in the South and Midwest
- Less premium footwear selection
2
REI Co-op
Est. 1938
Kent, Washington, USA
$$$
pricier
Serious hikers, campers, and cyclists who want gear guidance
B Corp
1% for the Planet
Carbon Neutral
The outdoor-recreation side of Dick's done deeper — camping, climbing, hiking gear with expert staff and a member dividend.
Pros
- Annual member dividend returns roughly 10% back
- Generous return policy and gear rentals
- Knowledgeable staff who actually use the gear
Cons
- No team sports or athletic footwear focus
- Higher prices across the board
Visit REI Co-op
Full guide: Stores Like REI Co-op
3
Nike
Est. 1964
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
≈
similar
Athletic footwear buyers who know their size and brand
Recycled
Buying cleats, running shoes, and training apparel direct from the source usually beats Dick's markup and unlocks member exclusives.
Pros
- Full size runs and colorways not stocked in stores
- Member-only releases and pricing
- Nike By You customization
Cons
- Popular sizes sell out fast
- Returns require shipping back
Visit Nike
Full guide: Stores Like Nike
4
Bass Pro Shops
Est. 1972
Springfield, Missouri, USA
≈
similar
Anglers and hunters wanting specialty depth
For the hunting, fishing, and boating half of Dick's ambitions, Bass Pro (and Cabela's) goes far deeper with destination stores.
Pros
- Enormous fishing and hunting inventory
- Strong own brands like RedHead and Bass Pro Qualifier
- Destination stores worth the drive
Cons
- Little for team sports or running
- Stores are sparse and far apart
Visit Bass Pro Shops
Full guide: Stores Like Bass Pro Shops
5
Foot Locker
Est. 1974
New York, New York, USA
≈
similar
Sneakerheads chasing basketball and lifestyle releases
If it's the sneaker wall you go to Dick's for, Foot Locker specializes in athletic footwear releases and hype drops.
Pros
- Access to limited sneaker launches
- Mall locations everywhere
- Strong basketball selection
Cons
- Footwear only, no equipment
- Limited-release pricing can spike
Visit Foot Locker
Full guide: Stores Like Foot Locker
6
Decathlon
Est. 1976
Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France
$
cheaper
Value hunters who want functional gear across dozens of sports
The French giant undercuts everyone on team sports, cycling, and fitness gear with capable in-house brands.
Pros
- Astonishingly low prices on own-brand gear
- Covers dozens of sports niches
- Solid quality for the money
Cons
- US store presence still limited
- Name-brand selection is thin
7
Scheels
Est. 1902
Fargo, North Dakota, USA
≈
similar
Midwest shoppers wanting the full experiential big-box trip
An employee-owned Midwest chain matching Dick's House of Sport energy — Ferris wheels included — with team gear, footwear, and outdoors.
Pros
- Massive one-stop stores with attractions
- Strong service from employee-owners
- Deep hunting and team sports mix
Cons
- Concentrated in the Upper Midwest and Mountain West
- Pricing rarely the cheapest
8
Hibbett Sports
Est. 1945
Birmingham, Alabama, USA
≈
similar
Small-town shoppers wanting sneakers and jerseys nearby
Fills the small-town gap Dick's ignores — sneakers, team apparel, and cleats in strip malls where the nearest Dick's is an hour away.
Pros
- Located in underserved smaller markets
- Good sneaker release access
- Strong local team gear
Cons
- Smaller stores mean thinner inventory
- Minimal fitness equipment
9
Sportsman's Warehouse
Est. 1986
West Jordan, Utah, USA
$
cheaper
Hunters and anglers wanting practical outdoor gear
Covers the outdoor and hunting/fishing categories Dick's has retreated from, with a no-frills gear-focused floor.
Pros
- Deep firearms, ammo, and fishing selection
- Competitive outdoor pricing
- Good Western US coverage
Cons
- No team sports or athletic footwear
- Stores mostly in the West
10
Dunham's Sports
Est. 1937
Troy, Michigan, USA
$
cheaper
Midwest families wanting one-stop gear for less
A Midwest big-box with the same team-sports-plus-outdoors mix as Dick's, usually at sharper prices.
Pros
- Lower prices than the national chains
- Wide team sports and hunting mix
- Strong weekly sales
Cons
- Regional to the Midwest and Northeast
- Less premium footwear
11
Fanatics
Est. 1995
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
≈
similar
Fans wanting official jerseys and gear delivered
If it's licensed jerseys and team apparel you're at Dick's for, Fanatics owns that category online with every league and college.
Pros
- Every team and league license imaginable
- Custom name-and-number jerseys
- Frequent sales and fan-cash rewards
Cons
- Apparel only, no equipment or footwear
- Quality varies by product line
12
Rogue Fitness
Est. 2007
Columbus, Ohio, USA
$$$
pricier
Home-gym builders wanting serious strength equipment
For the fitness-equipment aisle at Dick's, Rogue builds far better home-gym barbells, racks, and plates direct.
Pros
- US-made racks, barbells, and plates built to last
- The standard for CrossFit and serious lifters
- Massive strength-equipment catalog
Cons
- Premium prices
- No footwear, apparel, or team sports
Cheaper than Dick's on the same gear
Academy, Decathlon, Dunham's, and Sportsman's Warehouse routinely undercut Dick's on identical cleats, bats, and outdoor gear. Academy is the direct big-box swap in the South; Decathlon's in-house brands are the value champion across dozens of sports.
Where Dick's isn't (regional coverage)
If there's no Dick's within an hour, Hibbett covers small towns, Scheels and Dunham's own the Midwest, Sportsman's Warehouse anchors the West, and Bass Pro serves the outdoor crowd as a destination. Buy direct from Nike or Fanatics when no store is close.
Specialists that beat the big-box floor
For depth in one category, skip the generalist: REI for camping and climbing, Rogue Fitness for home-gym iron, Foot Locker for sneaker drops, and Fanatics for licensed jerseys. Each goes deeper than any Dick's aisle can.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Need the same one-stop trip for less? Academy Sports is the direct swap if you're in its footprint, with Dunham's and Decathlon close behind on price. Live somewhere Dick's forgot? Hibbett covers small towns, Scheels and Dunham's own the Midwest, and Sportsman's Warehouse handles the West.If you're really at Dick's for one department, go specialist: REI for the outdoors, Rogue for home fitness, Foot Locker for sneaker releases, Fanatics for jerseys, and buying cleats or trainers straight from Nike usually skips the markup entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Academy Sports cheaper than Dick's Sporting Goods?
Generally yes. On identical cleats, bats, and outdoor gear, Academy typically prices below Dick's, and its house brands like Magellan and BCG offer solid value. The catch is footprint — Academy is concentrated in the South, Texas, and parts of the Midwest, so coverage depends on where you live.
QWhat store is like Dick's Sporting Goods but has more outdoor gear?
REI is the best pick for camping, climbing, and hiking with expert staff and a member dividend, while Bass Pro Shops and Sportsman's Warehouse go deeper on hunting and fishing than Dick's does. Since Dick's folded its Field & Stream stores, these specialists fill the outdoor gap.
QWhere can I buy team sports gear if there's no Dick's near me?
Hibbett Sports covers smaller towns the national chains skip, Scheels and Dunham's dominate the Midwest, and Academy serves the South. For jerseys and licensed apparel, Fanatics ships every league and college, and Decathlon undercuts everyone online on functional equipment.
QIs it cheaper to buy athletic shoes direct from Nike than at Dick's?
Often, yes. Buying direct from Nike unlocks full size runs, member-only pricing, and colorways stores don't carry, usually at or below Dick's shelf price. Foot Locker is the better bet if you're chasing limited basketball or lifestyle releases specifically.
QWhat's the best alternative to Dick's for home gym equipment?
Rogue Fitness. Dick's stocks entry-level dumbbells and benches, but Rogue builds US-made barbells, power racks, and plates that outlast anything on a big-box floor. It costs more, but it's the standard for serious lifters and CrossFit home gyms.
Our Verdict
The Best Dick's Sporting Goods Alternative For You
Need the same one-stop trip for less? Academy Sports is the direct swap if you're in its footprint, with Dunham's and Decathlon close behind on price. Live somewhere Dick's forgot? Hibbett covers small towns, Scheels and Dunham's own the Midwest, and Sportsman's Warehouse handles the West.
If you're really at Dick's for one department, go specialist: REI for the outdoors, Rogue for home fitness, Foot Locker for sneaker releases, Fanatics for jerseys, and buying cleats or trainers straight from Nike usually skips the markup entirely.
If you're really at Dick's for one department, go specialist: REI for the outdoors, Rogue for home fitness, Foot Locker for sneaker releases, Fanatics for jerseys, and buying cleats or trainers straight from Nike usually skips the markup entirely.