From the counter
The advice a good sports shop gives across the counter: what to buy at your level, how it should fit and what lasts. Buying guides for running, racket sports, team sports, golf, cycling, home gym and kids’ gear.
Buy for the player you are this season, not the pro on the box.
What to buy for your sport, at the level you play
The advice a good sports shop gives across the counter, written down: what you need when you start, what to add once you play every week, and what earns its price when you get serious.
Newest first. Each guide says who a piece of gear is for, who can skip it, and how it should fit before you pay for it.
All 23 guidesAisle 2 · Racket SportsNewest
Tennis terms decode courtside calls, scoring, court lines, shots, slang and gear in plain English. See what also carries over to pickleball and padel.
Tennis terms are the words used to describe the sport’s scoring
Easy soccer drills for 5-year-olds turn practice into play with quick dribbling, passing, and space-finding games, plus simple tips for a safe, short session.
Easy soccer drills for 5-year-olds are short
MIPS helmet meaning: see how the protective system works, which sports and brands use it, and whether the extra cost is worth it if the helmet fits well first.
MIPS means Multi-directional Impact Protection System
Lacrosse sticks for beginners: compare complete and separate setups, then match stick length and features to age, position, and budget for easier catches.
Beginner lacrosse sticks are starter-ready sticks designed to help new players learn catching
Running shorts with liner add a built-in brief for a smoother feel; compare fabrics, fit, prices and care to choose a pair that lasts through many washes.
Running shorts with a liner have a snug brief sewn into the outer shorts
Small home gym ideas help you turn spare-room clutter into a workable workout space with compact gear, floor protection, tidy storage, and budget swaps.
Small home gym ideas are practical ways to create a workout area in a spare room
Golf driver shaft length affects distance and accuracy. Compare typical and tour lengths, check the 46- and 48-inch limits, and find your best fit.
Golf driver shaft length is the measurement from the grip to the shaft tip
Start with your sport, or with your kid’s. Care & Repair is for the gear you already own.
Walk the aislesA piece earns its place by fitting as it should, lasting a season of real use, costing a fair price for its level and coming from a maker that stands behind it.
All 36 on the Gear pageRunning
$145
Visit SauconyRacket sports
$200
Visit SelkirkTeam sports
$99.95
Visit WilsonGolf
$24.99
Visit SrixonCycling
$94.99
Visit LezyneHome gym
$990
Visit Concept2Care and repair
$12.95
Visit Park Tool