Academy Sports + OutdoorsDiscounts, outlets and what to buy

Academy is a big Texas sporting goods chain with more than 300 stores, mostly in the South and Southeast (Texas, Florida, Georgia and neighboring states). It is growing fast, opening 20-25 stores a year, including in Ohio, Virginia and Tennessee. It carries Nike, adidas, Columbia, Under Armour and Crocs, but much of the floor goes to its own brands - Magellan Outdoors (camping, fishing, clothing), BCG (activewear and shoes), Freely, R.O.W., H2OX, Mosaic - and budget brands. The chain itself bets on prices lower than Dick's, and it is a family store.

The selection is wider than Dick's: besides sports, clothing and shoes - fishing, camping and hiking, grills and smokers, bikes, trampolines, and yard, patio and pet products.

Worth buying: sneakers and activewear from well-known brands, Crocs, hiking gear, thermoses and small camping items.

• Clearance is on separate racks with its own price tags.
• Themed sales and coupons in the app and the email newsletter. Coupons often don't apply to new releases from popular brands - check the terms.
• Back to school (July-August), Black Friday and December, and in January a sale on leftover winter items.
• In spring and summer - discounts on outdoor gear, and at the end of summer the summer items get marked down. Dates are in the app.