Sports are a great way to get exercise and meet new people; but when buying shoes, apparel, bags and balls, the expenses quickly add up. Fortunately,there’s a cheaper way. With a little research, you’ll know what’s worth the price tag and where to find the best buys.

Decide how interested you are in the sport. If you’ve played for ten years and are on the varsity team, spending more for premium gear is probably worth it. But don’t shell out big bucks just to try something new--if interest in the sport fades, not much has been invested.

Start the search with a trip to a retail sporting goods store. Check out prices and brands, so as the search continues, a good deal will be unmistakable. Keep in mind that brand and price aren’t the only judges of quality. A $500 base¬ball bat is worthless if it isn’t the right length or weight. Your favorite brand of basketball shoes might be drastically marked down, but can cause blisters or worse if they don’t fit correctly. Heading to a retail store lets you find a perfect fit before looking for the best price.

Next, shop around to find the best deal.

Sports resale stores
In a moment of intense earnestness (usually around New Year’s), many people vow to get in shape, then buy brand new equipment only to let it collect dust. With some luck, you can pick up barely-used goods for a fraction of the price.

Garage sales and thrift stores
If you feel like taking a chance, check out thrift stores or garage sales. Both often have outdated equipment, and garage sales don’t have a return policy, but these places can be great for finding really cheap equipment that can be upgraded if necessary.

Sporting goods stores
If a retail sporting goods store is the only place that sells what you need, look for seasonal sales. Not only can these sales sometimes beat deals found on the Internet, but you don’t have to wait or pay for shipping.

Online shopping
The Internet is an entirely different beast. A specialty store can be found for almost any sport, but take heed: When shopping at these (or any other) stores, make sure to check the return policy. Accidentally choosing a youth large instead of an adult large happens more often than you’d think.

Sites like craigslist.org and ebay.com are great places to find used items, but most purchases are final. Research the seller and item thoroughly before buying. If you have any questions, make sure to contact the seller, and in the case of eBay, look at the seller’s Feedback score.

Free gear can be found at freecycle.org. People post items that they wish to give away for free, all in the name of keeping down the size of our nation’s landfills. Like craigslist.org, selection is limited to what people in your area offer.

All this being said, there are some items you’ll never want to buy used. Avoid gear that has graced another’s unmentionables (gross). Also be picky about anything that molds to your body, like shoes or baseball mitts.

More serious thought should be given to safety equipment. According to The New York Times, a company sold more than 200,000 improperly-tested used helmets to amateur football players in 2007, a lapse serious enough to result in an FBI investigation.

When buying helmets for sports like football, lacrosse and baseball, make sure they bear a current National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) logo. This organization sets testing standards for sports safety equipment. These are voluntary standards--which the NCAA and National Federation of State High School Associations have adopted--that ensure your product has gone through a quality test. These products may cost a little more, but spending the extra money is worth it. A defect could result in serious injury. Start shopping well before the beginning of the season so you can get a safe product at a reasonable price.

Sources:

moneycentral.msn.com, nytimes.com, osaa.org, reuters.com, freecycle.org, ebay.com, nocsae.org, mayoclinic.com, telegraph.co.uk