Atlanta supports a robust sporting goods retail market shaped by the city’s large active population, strong youth sports culture across suburban communities, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities in the metro area and within a few hours’ drive to Georgia’s mountains and coast. The market spans from large national chains with broad inventory to specialty retailers focused on running, cycling, climbing, and outdoor adventure that serve Atlanta’s significant endurance sports and outdoor recreation demographics. Atlanta is home to multiple REI locations reflecting strong demand for outdoor and adventure gear, and the city’s golf culture supports numerous specialty golf retail operations alongside general sporting goods stores. The metro area’s proximity to Alabama’s Talladega National Forest, the Appalachian Trail, and Georgia’s barrier island coastline drives consistent demand for outdoor recreation gear across multiple seasons.
When shopping for sporting goods in Atlanta, specialty retailers generally offer deeper product knowledge and fitting expertise for categories like running shoes, cycling, and climbing gear compared to mass-market chains. For sport-specific equipment, the trade-off is price: specialty stores typically carry premium product lines at full retail while big-box retailers like DICK’S and Academy Sports provide broader price range access including entry-level equipment. Visit specialty running stores like Road Runner Sports or West Stride in person for shoe fitting rather than purchasing online, as proper fit for athletic footwear requires gait analysis and physical assessment that cannot be replicated through online sizing tools alone.
Top Sporting Goods Store Companies in Atlanta
1. REI Atlanta
Address: 1800 Northeast Expressway NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: (404) 633-6508
Website: https://www.rei.com
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Service Area: Northeast Expressway and Perimeter Center (1165 Perimeter Center West, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30338; Phone: (770) 901-9200)
Services:
- Outdoor and adventure gear (hiking, camping, climbing, skiing, kayaking)
- Athletic apparel and footwear
- Bike shop (repairs, tune-ups, accessories)
- Ski and snowboard shop
- Gear rentals
- REI Adventures trip programming
About: REI operates two Atlanta locations serving the metro area’s substantial outdoor recreation community with expert staff, premium gear brands, and in-store services including bike repair and ski/snowboard tuning. The Northeast Expressway location has served Atlanta since at least 2006 and maintains a consistent reputation for knowledgeable, personable staff across multiple community review platforms. REI’s cooperative membership model provides members with annual dividends on purchases and access to member-only discounts and events. The Perimeter location extends REI’s coverage to the north Atlanta suburbs, where a significant portion of the city’s outdoor recreation enthusiasts reside.
2. DICK’S Sporting Goods
Address: Multiple Atlanta metro locations; flagship at Lenox Square and other major shopping centers
Website: https://www.dickssportinggoods.com
Services:
- Team sports equipment (football, baseball, basketball, soccer)
- Golf equipment and club fitting
- Running and training footwear and apparel
- Fitness equipment
- Hunting and fishing gear
- Bike repairs and tune-ups
- Fishing licenses
- Golf club regripping and repair
About: DICK’S Sporting Goods maintains multiple locations across the Atlanta metro area, providing comprehensive sporting goods access across a broad range of sports and price points. The Atlanta-area stores offer in-store services including professional golf club fitting and repair, bike maintenance, and fishing license issuance that extend the value proposition beyond retail-only purchasing. DICK’S carries an inventory that spans from entry-level youth sports equipment to premium brand athletic footwear and technical outdoor gear. The store’s breadth of category coverage makes it a practical first stop for families equipping youth athletes across multiple sports simultaneously.
3. Play It Again Sports Buckhead
Address: Buckhead area, Atlanta, GA
Services:
- New and used sports equipment
- Athletic gear trade-in and resale
- Team sports equipment
- Fitness equipment
- Golf equipment
- Youth sports gear
About: Play It Again Sports in Buckhead provides the Atlanta market’s most accessible entry point for quality sporting goods through its combination of new and used equipment, allowing budget-conscious shoppers to acquire name-brand gear at significantly reduced prices. The store accepts trade-ins, creating a secondary market that allows families to recover value from outgrown youth sports equipment while funding new purchases. The Buckhead location serves one of Atlanta’s most affluent communities and consistently receives strong reviews for value delivery relative to full-retail specialty store alternatives. For families with children in multiple sports simultaneously, the ability to trade in and buy used equipment significantly reduces the total annual sports equipment cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where should I buy running shoes in Atlanta?
A: Specialty running stores like Road Runner Sports in Buckhead and West Stride near Northside Parkway and West Paces Ferry Road offer professional gait analysis and expert fitting that general sporting goods stores cannot match. These stores carry premium running shoe brands with staff trained to assess pronation, arch type, and foot volume to recommend appropriate models. If you have had running injuries, a specialty store fitting is particularly worthwhile as proper footwear is the most effective first step in injury prevention. General sporting goods chains carry a broader price range but typically lack the fitting expertise of specialty run shops.
Q: Does Atlanta have good options for outdoor and adventure gear?
A: Yes, Atlanta’s two REI locations are the metro area’s primary outdoor specialty destinations, carrying comprehensive selections for hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, and skiing. High Country Outfitters and Mountain High Outfitters also serve Atlanta’s outdoor community with specialized expertise in backcountry gear. The city’s proximity to the Appalachian Trail, North Georgia mountains, and Georgia’s coastal waterways creates consistent year-round demand for outdoor gear across multiple categories. For trail running and mountain biking, REI’s Perimeter location maintains particularly strong inventory given the suburban trail systems in Cobb and Cherokee Counties.
Q: Can I sell or trade in used sports equipment in Atlanta?
A: Yes, Play It Again Sports operates in Atlanta and accepts trade-ins on sporting goods across most major categories. The store evaluates equipment condition and offers either a cash payment or store credit that can be applied toward new or used purchases. Trade-in values vary by item condition, brand, and current market demand, so calling ahead to confirm current buying interest in specific categories is advisable before making the trip. For golf equipment specifically, several Atlanta-area golf retailers including DICK’S run trade-in programs for clubs and bags.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s sporting goods retail market delivers options across every sport, budget, and specialty level, from full-service outdoor outfitters to value-oriented used equipment resellers. REI’s two Atlanta locations provide premium outdoor and adventure gear with expert staff and in-store services across a comprehensive range of outdoor disciplines. DICK’S Sporting Goods delivers broad category coverage at accessible price points with in-store services including golf club fitting, bike repair, and fishing licenses. Play It Again Sports in Buckhead provides budget-friendly access to quality sporting goods through a new-and-used retail model that serves value-conscious families and athletes. Visit each store to assess current inventory and confirm any available in-store services.