Best Sporting Goods & Outdoor Catalogs in 2026

calendar Jun 8, 2026 / · 6 min read · sporting goods catalogs outdoor recreation catalog shopping  ·
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Outdoor gear is one of the few retail categories where the catalog format never really lost its footing. The reason is practical: buyers of tents, waders, rifles, and packs want depth of selection, detailed specifications, and a vendor who knows the difference between a three-season and a four-season shelter. General merchandisers flatten those distinctions; a dedicated sporting goods catalog preserves them. That is why the names below have outlasted decades of retail upheaval — they sell expertise alongside the equipment.

The catalogs ranked here were chosen for breadth across the outdoor disciplines, a reputation for standing behind what they sell, and confirmed operation as of mid-2026. The list spans the big-box outfitters, the specialist gear houses, and the heritage fly-fishing names, so a reader can match the catalog to the activity. Every retailer was verified live before publication, and brands that have shuttered or been folded into others were noted only where relevant rather than listed as if still independent.

1. Cabela's

Founded in Sidney, Nebraska, in 1961, Cabela's became one of the defining hunting, fishing, and outdoor catalogs in North America, and its thick seasonal "big books" were a fixture in outdoor households for decades. Now operated under the same ownership as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's continues to carry an enormous assortment across firearms and ammunition, fishing tackle, camping, archery, and technical apparel. For hunters and anglers who want one catalog that covers the whole pursuit at real depth, it remains a first stop.

Visit: cabelas.com

2. Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops, founded in Springfield, Missouri, in 1972 by Johnny Morris, grew from a tackle counter into one of the largest outdoor retailers in the country. Its catalog leans heavily into fishing — rods, reels, boats, and tackle are the historic core — but extends across hunting, camping, marine, and outdoor apparel. With Cabela's now under the same roof, Bass Pro anchors the value-and-volume end of the outdoor market, and its catalog is the natural companion for anglers in particular.

Visit: basspro.com

3. REI Co-op

Recreational Equipment, Inc. was founded in Seattle in 1938 as a member-owned cooperative, and that structure still shapes it: members pay a one-time fee and earn an annual dividend on their purchases. The catalog skews toward human-powered recreation — hiking, climbing, camping, cycling, and snow sports — with a strong emphasis on its own well-regarded house brand alongside the major outdoor labels. REI is the recommendation for backpackers and climbers who value curation and member benefits over the broadest possible hunting-and-fishing assortment.

Visit: rei.com

4. Orvis

Orvis, founded in Manchester, Vermont, in 1856, is one of the oldest mail-order businesses in the United States and the definitive name in fly fishing. Its catalog pairs rods, reels, waders, and fly-tying supplies with a refined country-sporting apparel line, luggage, and dog gear. The brand's heritage and its commitment to conservation give it a distinct identity among outdoor catalogs. For anglers and for shoppers who want upscale field-and-stream goods, Orvis is in a category of its own.

Visit: orvis.com

5. Backcountry

Backcountry, founded in Park City, Utah, in 1996, is the online-era specialist for serious mountain sports. The catalog concentrates on high-performance gear for skiing, snowboarding, climbing, mountain biking, and backpacking, carrying premium technical brands and its own house labels. Its "Gearhead" expert-advice service is a signature feature, connecting buyers with specialists for big-ticket decisions. Backcountry suits experienced outdoor athletes who know what they want and value access to top-tier equipment over the breadth of a general outfitter.

Visit: backcountry.com

6. Campmor

Campmor is a longtime New Jersey outfitter whose plain-paper catalog became a staple for value-minded campers and backpackers. The assortment covers tents, sleeping bags, packs, footwear, and clothing across a wide price range, with a reputation for discounts and closeout deals on quality gear. Campmor occupies a useful middle ground — more specialized than a big-box store, more affordable than the premium specialists — making it a dependable source for outfitting a trip without overspending.

Visit: campmor.com

7. Sierra

Sierra, the off-price outdoor and active-lifestyle retailer formerly known as Sierra Trading Post, specializes in discounted gear, footwear, and apparel from name-brand outdoor labels. Now part of the same parent company as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, it works on a treasure-hunt model: the inventory rotates, the brands are recognizable, and the prices are well below full retail. For shoppers willing to take what is in stock rather than insist on a specific model, Sierra is one of the best values in outdoor retail.

Visit: sierra.com

8. Academy Sports + Outdoors

Academy Sports + Outdoors is a large U.S. sporting-goods retailer with deep roots in Texas, carrying a broad mix of team sports, fitness, hunting, fishing, and camping gear. The catalog covers the mainstream end of the market well — apparel and footwear from the major athletic brands sit alongside firearms, tackle, and patio and grill goods. For families outfitting multiple sports and activities at accessible price points, Academy is a practical one-stop option.

Visit: academy.com

9. Dick's Sporting Goods

Dick's Sporting Goods traces its origins to a 1948 bait-and-tackle shop in Binghamton, New York, and has grown into the largest sporting-goods chain in the country. The catalog spans team and individual sports, fitness equipment, athletic apparel and footwear, and a substantial outdoor section. Its strength is mainstream breadth — it is the default for organized-sports families and casual athletes who want recognizable brands and wide selection rather than the specialist depth of a dedicated outdoor outfitter.

Visit: dickssportinggoods.com

How to Choose a Sporting Goods Catalog

The outdoor market splits cleanly along the line between breadth and depth, and the right catalog depends on which side of that line your activity falls. For hunting and fishing pursued seriously, the specialist depth of Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, and — for fly fishing specifically — Orvis is worth more than the convenience of a general store; these catalogs carry the long tail of calibers, lure patterns, and rod weights that mainstream retailers drop. For human-powered mountain sports, REI Co-op and Backcountry are the natural homes, the former adding member dividends and the latter adding expert gear advice for big-ticket decisions. Value-minded campers and backpackers should start with Campmor, and bargain hunters across every discipline should keep checking Sierra, where the inventory rotates but the savings on name brands are real. Families outfitting several sports at once get the most from the mainstream breadth of Academy Sports and Dick's Sporting Goods. Two rules apply across all of them: read the full specifications rather than the headline, since outdoor gear lives and dies on details like temperature rating and waterproofing; and buy season-critical equipment ahead of the rush, because the best tents, waders, and insulated layers sell through before the season peaks.

Where to Request or Shop

Each retailer below maintains a full online store, and several of the heritage outfitters still circulate printed catalogs by request:

References

  • Backcountry. "About Us." backcountry.com (retrieved June 8, 2026)
  • U.S. Census Bureau. "Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales." census.gov (retrieved June 8, 2026)
  • Pew Research Center. "Online Shopping and E-Commerce." pewresearch.org (retrieved June 8, 2026)

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