Back-to-School gear guide: The best buys for fall sports

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You’ve watched your young athlete rise through the ranks of the pee-wee leagues and all the way up to the varsity roster. You’re an expert at getting grass stains out of those white, home team jerseys and your pep talks rival those of the best speechwriters. As the parent of a student-athlete, you’re most certainly an MVP.

With the start of the school year approaching faster than an All-American running back, it’s time to shop for sports gear and apparel that’s built as tough as your resident athlete. No need to make a trip to the mall (you’re plenty busy). Instead, check out Eastbay, a one-stop online shop where you can buy athletic footwear, apparel and sports equipment. When you shop with ShopAtHome.com, you can get Cash Back on your purchases. (Let’s go ahead and give a high five to that, and another one for those athletic genes you’ve passed along).

Plus, just as two-a-days and tryouts are getting underway, Eastbay is motivating athletes across the country to join in on a challenge they’ve called “Conquer your Can’t.” The idea? Let your student-athlete convert doubts into motivation to accomplish the incredible: You know, break an all-time school record or earn a spot in the starting line-up. They can join other motivated athletes on social media with the hashtag #SayICant.

Football:

From helmets and face masks to cutting-edge cleats, Eastbay is stocked with everything your football player needs to safely compete on the football field. A definite must-have for football season? The Eastbay Evapor Sleeveless Compression Top ($11.99 plus Cash Back) which has built-in technology to wick away sweat to keep your football player cool and dry, a top priority during those hot August conditioning drills. The tops also feature a compression fit, which warms and supports muscles to reduce post-workout fatigue and specialized seams prevent uncomfortable chafing. These Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong 3/4 Pants ($119.99 plus Cash Back) are perfect for practice, with protective foam placed in key impact areas to keep athletes secure when they take those hard hits.

Volleyball:

A reliable pair of knee pads? Now that’s something every volleyball player will dig (pun intended!) Give your volleyball student-athlete a pair of high-end, shock-absorbing kneepads, like these Nike Streak Volleyball Kneepads ($24.99 plus Cash Back), so she won’t hesitate to dive around the court. The Dri-Fit design also allows for ventilation. Also, you’ll want to load up on compression shorts for practices and matches. The Eastbay Evaport Compression Shorts ($14.99 plus Cash Back) are tight-fitting volleyball shorts allow for maximum movement, whether you’ve got a high-jumping hitter or a quick defensive specialist. They come in multiple colors, so snap some up as they’ll be in heavy rotation for the season.

Soccer:

After your soccer player has picked out a perfect pair of cleats (and there’s a great selection at Eastbay), set your eyes on a high-tech soccer ball that has the potential to improve reaction times. The Nike Ordem 3 Soccer Ball ($99.99 plus Cash Back) has an eye-grabbing design to help players see the ball faster and react at lightning speed. Next, check out a sports bag that’s perfect for traveling to away games, like this Nike Club Team Swoosh Backpack ($49.99 plus Cash Back) that has a separate shoe storage compartment.

Cross-Country:

On your marks, get set, shop … for everything from singlets to long-distance spikes. Your runner doesn’t need a ton of gear, but a good pair of trusty running shoes as well as a collection of running apparel are all worthy investments. Stock up on running shorts, like these Nike Race Shorts for women ($29.99 plus Cash Back) and these Nike Team Tempo Split Shorts for men ($31.99 plus Cash Back) — both of which feature DRI-Fit technology perfect for comfort and breathability.

Find All Your Fall Sports Gear At EastBay