REI vs. Dick’s Sporting Goods Black Friday Deals, Which Is Better?

Both stores have deep discounts on running shoes, apparel, and gear.To compare them, I looked at the same or similar products.REI’s deals come early and lean on member perks. Dick’s runs a longer sale with a broader road-brand selection. Your cart has been sitting there since October, and I get it. I’ve got a few (hundred) tabs open myself. As someone with many marathons, a few ultras, and more halfs and 5Ks than I can count, I can tell you the real Black Friday question isn’t whether to buy shoes and running gear; it’s where. REI and Dick’s are two of the names that come up the most often, and they handle the holiday very differently. REI is again giving its employees a paid day off on Friday, November 27, so its deals land early. Dick’s has typically stretched its sale across the weekend. Deciding who has the best deals comes down to these two questions: What are you actually shopping for, and how much do you need? Here’s how the deals stack up.One thing both brands are doing, and doing pretty well, is taking some big-name running shoes and discounting them hard. Think Hoka, Asics, and Brooks top trainers with discounts of $50 or more, with deeper discounts on previous years’ models. The deals don’t match model to model, and each outlet has different shoes at different prices. For example, REI offers steeper discounts on Hoka, and Dick’s has better pricing on brands like Adidas.The Hoka Bondi 9 is a favorite among distance runners, especially those with flatter feet. It has a supercritical foam midsole that makes it light and responsive, with a snug fit, a generously padded collar, and comfortable, max-stack cushioning. It’s a big improvement over the Bondis of antiquity, and it’s one of their most popular shoes overall. And the price difference between REI and Dick’s is significant, with REI the clear winner.Can’t go wrong with the ultra-comfortable Adizero Evo SL from Adidas. It’s fun to run in; it’s bouncy, responsive, and keeps you happy on long runs. Dubbed by Jeff Dengate as the Shoe of the Year for 2025, this trainer remains one of our most beloved shoes of the past few years.The On Cloudmonster 3 is the perfect mix of firm and cushioned, keeping you supported on your longest efforts, whether walking or running. It’s a max-cushioned trainer with On’s CloudTec technology that compresses and rebounds with every strike, making it responsive, a bit bouncy, and ready for high mileage.REI Has More Niche Brands and Their Own House BrandREI is also known for its Co-op line of gear. It’s their own, high-quality gear that comes in at terrific prices. For Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many of those items are discounted even further, making it hard to say no to already affordable goodies. REI also offers a variety of smaller brands like Rabbit, which they are able to offer on sale. If you’re into smaller brands, or you’re a big fan of Co-op, REI is the place to hit up.Rabbit makes great UPF-rated long sleeves that are perfect for layering on cooler days or staying cool in the sun on hotter days. This one has one of my favorite features—a watch panel that lets you wear the shirt over your hands with thumb holes, so you can still see your watch. The fabric is buttery, the seams are sealed, so they’re not itchy or irritating, and they launder like a dream.REI makes really good hydration vests, often in a more expansive size range than other brands. I’ve tested this one, and I like it a lot. It has space for a bladder and two flasks, plus room for snacks, gear, and whatever you happen to take off during your run because you’ve overheated.Dick’s Has Sales on Running Equipment and Electronics, TooSome of the biggest sales at Dick’s Sporting Goods are on its biggest-ticket items like treadmills, running watches, and other exercise equipment. These are categories that REI doesn’t touch as much, and some not at all (treadmills). This area is where Dick’s really shines. You could get hundreds off this time of year, and you should take full advantage.This is truly one of my favorite “get-up-and-run” treadmills, and for 40 percent off, it’s tripping into “cheap” treadmill territory. It’s a solid treadmill with a good-size deck, plenty of connectivity, incline, and speed, all at a fabulous price tag.Suunto has improved so much over the past few years, and this is one of the best examples. It’s a dynamic, multisport running watch with terrific GPS, battery life, connectivity, and a family of apps to help keep you connected. It’s also one of the better-looking running watches available, and while that might not be the most important thing, it’s still worth considering.The Bottom LineBoth brands have fantastic Black Friday discounts, but they look pretty different. Dick’s has the upper hand on big-ticket items, but their shoes are a bit more expensive. REI wins on shoe price, and in the smaller labels and private-label brands they’re known for. And both stores carry shoe brands the other doesn't. In the end, it’s about picking your faves and knowing what you’re shopping for.Cat Bowen, senior editor of commerce; reviews, is a seasoned runner with more than 20 years of distance running experience, including dozens of marathons, half marathons, and even a few ultra marathons. For over a decade, she has tested parenting, fitness, home, and running gear and written in-depth guides to help readers with their next purchase. Holding multiple advanced degrees and currently studying kinesiology, Cat Bowen brings research-backed insight to all of her guides. Passionate about women’s health and neurodivergent inclusion, she advocates for closing research gaps and helping others—especially AudHD people—find joy in running and fitness.