Online sporting goods retailer that isn't a clone?

September 9, 2005 5:03 PM

I'm trying to buy some cool soccer gear for my husband's teenage sister, but I'm finding that all the sites seem to be fronts for some kind of central wholesaler; they all have identical prices, inventory, et cetera. Can anyone recommend a good, independent online sporting goods or soccer specialty store?

I've tried everything that Google kicks back to me (fogdog.com, thesportsauthority.com, dunham.com, dickssportinggoods.com . . . the list goes on and on). Buying locally isn't an option as we don't have sporting goods stores here with inventory of the things she wants such as cool socks and eye-catching practice balls.

posted by littlegreenlights to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (9 answers total)

http://www.ebay.com?

Other than that - if you are looking for team branded merchandise then check the club website. If not then check the major manufcturers like Nike, Adidas, Le Coq Sportif, Umbro etc.
posted by fire&wings at 5:13 PM on September 9, 2005

While this is probably exactly what you might be referring to, I've played soccer since I was seven and twenty years later, I think your best bet would be Eurosport. I remember using Eurosport since I was probably 11-12.
posted by mic stand at 5:44 PM on September 9, 2005

Thanks, fire&wings. In this case, though, unfortunately, eBay's selection is pretty dismal.
posted by littlegreenlights at 5:45 PM on September 9, 2005

Check out The Onion Bag - it's an independent football shop (soccer store!) in NJ. If they have what you want, they're definitely reliable.
posted by egilmore at 5:59 PM on September 9, 2005

Paragon Sports has some pretty eye-catching soccer balls (specifically here). They have a lot of great sports clothes too, though I don't see specific soccer clothes for women. The physical store here in NYC is great.
posted by sueinnyc at 7:37 PM on September 9, 2005

How about trying to find a store in Europe that ships internationally? Bear in mind that we don't call it soccer over here. In the UK, for instance, we call it football.
posted by veedubya at 8:46 PM on September 9, 2005

A very quick google, came up with this:

www.footballshops.co.uk
posted by veedubya at 8:50 PM on September 9, 2005

Sweet. I got her a gift certificate from Eurosport (thanks, mic stand) and bookmarked the rest (thanks, egilmore and sueinnyc) as good sources for future gifting. I never even considered just going to soccer.com because, you know, all the good domains are usually being used for evil.
posted by littlegreenlights at 8:52 PM on September 9, 2005

Ah. One more for Christmas. Thanks, veedubya.
posted by littlegreenlights at 8:54 PM on September 9, 2005