Time to Gear Up For Winter

Disclosure:  Thanks to Becky Wilcox, site supporter, for this post.

Summer’s finally over and the kids are back in school. Yay! But it also means something else: Afterschool sports are back in session. On the one hand, it’s great when your kid finds an activity he or she loves, but on the other, it can be hard to keep up with the latest gear while shopping at the lowest prices.

Interestingly enough, a recent article on the Wall Street Journal discusses how one of the biggest problems in youth sports is a parent’s desire to overspend. As the article cites, it’s important to find the balance between money and time spent versus the actual desire to play. Keep in mind that your son or daughter wants to have a good time, hang out with their friends and get some exercise, not participate in next year’s Olympics. Finding this balance can be difficult, but starting with quality gear at inexpensive price is a great first step. Your kids and your family can spend more time focusing on the activity rather than the cost of sports gear.

When it comes to shopping for your kids, usually the quickest way is the easiest way. A department store or sports specialty store is a great place to start. If you have some extra time, take your kids to try on gear, pads and helmets at your local sporting goods store, but don’t stop there. The prices are traditionally higher in these retail stores and you’ll find yourself spending a fortune on gear that your kids will only use for a season or two.

If you’re a hockey or football mom, this is especially true when it comes to helmets, pads and other expensive items your kids may only need for a few months of the year. But there’s hope! Online retailers offer a great avenue for finding a good selection of goalie equipment without breaking the bank. And with some companies, if it doesn’t fit, you can usually return it at no cost with free shipping. Another benefit of online retailers is the seemingly endless inventory of products. In addition to a lower cost, you’ll also notice a wide variety of sizes, types, brands and even colors (and we all know how important colors are to our kids!) With sites like Goalie Monkey, shoppers are able to choose between several different size and color options.

The internet is full of websites like this that offer low prices on sports gear, but the question becomes: Where do you even start? Try with a basic Google search to find the top listed sites or use Amazon to see which brands sell most often. This will help you narrow down your search and filter out sites that don’t fit your needs. It will also give you the chance to browse around and find the online retailer that aligns with both your kid’s athletic plans and your financial goals.

To recap, make sure you do you research, test sizes in person and find an online retailer that fits both your athletic and financial needs.