Savvy Shoppers’ Survey

Scuba Network
124 E. 57th St. (Park & Lexington Aves.)/212-750-9160
Mon–Tues and Thurs 10:30am–7pm, Wed and Fri 10:30am–8pm, Sat 10:30am–6pm, Sun noon–4pm.

The Edge: Tops in equipment. § Features top-quality scuba-diving equipment, plus books and travel guides. No delivery.

Sporting goods
Diving
quality style service value: 42 42 45 42

Pan Aqua Diving
460 W. 43rd St. (9th & 10th Aves.)/212-736-3483
Weekdays noon–7pm, Sat 10am–7pm, Sun noon–5pm.

The Edge: Divers’ dreams start here. § Top-quality diving gear—air compressors, depth gauges, dive planners, gloves, fins, tanks, and wet suits. Find Henderson, Oceanic, O’Neill, ScubaPro, Sea Quest, and Tusa equipment. Also PYR brand swimwear. Large price range available.

Sporting goods
Diving
quality style service value: 27 17 27 27

Nautica
216 Columbus Ave. (70th St.)/212-496-0933
Mon–Sat 10am–8pm, Sun noon–7pm.

The Edge: Sells only Nautica goods—equipment, clothing, and themed items. § Find men’s clothing, cologne, diving watches, plus equipment.

Sporting goods
Diving
quality style service value: 39 39 35 33

Minnesota Fats
160 W. 26th St. (6th Ave.)/212-366-6981
Mon–Wed and Fri 10am–6:30pm, Thurs 10am–8pm, Sat 11am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm.

The Edge: A good source for darts and all indoor games. § Features a wide selection of darts, boards, cabinets, and team shirts. Darts up to the hundreds for a set. Find indoor games, quality pool tables (into the thousands) and cues, Ping-Pong tables, and air-hockey equipment.

Sporting goods
Darts

Dart Shop Limited
30 E. 20th St. (Park Ave. S. & Broadway)/212-533-8684
Weekdays noon–6pm, Sat noon–5pm.

The Edge: The only store in Manhattan devoted solely to darts and darting equipment. § Equipment includes tournament-quality cabinets, boards, and scoreboards for pros and amateurs. Priced from under $10 into the hundreds.

Sporting goods
Darts
quality style service value: 37 37 37 37

Freed of London
922 7th Ave. (58th St.)/212-489-1055
Mon–Sat 10am–6pm.

The Edge: The dance establishment’s source. § Established London supplier of equipment and costumes for the dance community (ballet, gymnastics, tap, jazz, and ballroom dancing), plus period shoes. Full range of dance wear, including shoes, leg warmers, leotards, skirts, and tutus. Keeps a complete line of regulation wear for the Royal Ballet. § “Top drawer.”

Sporting goods
Dance
quality style service value: 47 47 47 47

Capezio
800-234-4858 for locations
Mon–Wed and Fri 9:30am–6:30pm, Thurs 9:30am–7pm, Sat 9:30am–6pm, Sun 11:30am– 5pm.

The Edge: Selection—everything for the dancer. § Full line of dance wear (shoes and clothing), athletic wear, and fashion shoes. Traditional and timeless. Internet address: www.capezio.com

Sporting goods
Dance
quality style service value: 47 31 31 30

Tents & Trails
21 Park Place (Church St & Broadway)/212-227-1760
Mon–Wed and Sat 9:30am–6pm, Thurs–Fri 9:30am–7pm, Sun noon–6pm.

The Edge: Top-of-the-line source for camping supplies to buy or rent. § Three floors packed with camping equipment and survival gear for sale or rent. Also clothing in all sizes, from children to adults. Find hiking boots, down jackets, jeans, backpacks, camping stoves, sleeping bags, tents, and ropes. No delivery.

Sporting goods
Camping
quality style service value: 42 42 27 42

V. Loria & Sons
178 Bowery (Delancey St.)/212-925-0300
Weekdays 10:30am–6pm, Sat 10:30am–4pm.

The Edge: The place for billiard equipment. § Since 1912 the source for indoor games, including billiards, poker, Ping-Pong and gaming tables, pinball machines, and bowling equipment. Find new, used, and custom tables. Gear for all these sports and games, including bags, balls, shoes, and accessories.

Sporting goods
Billiards

Blatt Billiards
809 Broadway (11th St.)/212-674-8855
Weekdays 9am–6pm, Sat 10am–4pm (closed Sat July–Aug).

The Edge: Billiard heaven. § Since 1923 nothing appears to have changed. City’s largest collection of antique, custom, and contemporary pool tables and cues. Regulation dart boards and darts.

Sporting goods
Billiards