Is City Gear Legit and Safe? A Full Complete Review

City Gear is a popular American retailer that sells sneakers, streetwear, and sports fashion from big brands like Nike, Jordan, and Adidas. Founded in 1978 and based in Memphis, it has both physical stores and an online shop, making it easy for people to shop wherever they are. Many customers trust City Gear for genuine products and trendy styles, though some have mentioned issues with shipping or customer service. Overall, it’s a well-known and legitimate brand for sneaker lovers and fashion fans who enjoy urban style and want authentic gear at reasonable prices.

What It Means: “City Gear Is Legit / Safe / Genuine”

When we say “City Gear is legit”, we mean that the business is operating in good faith, is genuine, and you can trust it to deliver on its promises. “City Gear is safe” means that shopping with them has reasonable protection: your payment info is handled properly, your purchase arrives, returns/exchanges are workable, genuine products are delivered—not just empty promises or scam-style behaviour.

In contrast, there are the warning phrases: “scam”, “not genuine”, “fraudulent”, or “security risk”. If you find a retailer where you pay and nothing comes, or you get some random cheap knock-off, or your card gets compromised, those are red flags. So when we review City Gear we’ll ask: Do they pass the test of legitimacy and safety?

How It Works: Understanding City Gear’s Business Model & Your Experience

Let’s walk through how City Gear works — from you browsing to buying, and what you should expect.

The Company & Background

City Gear is an American retailer specialising in sneakers, street-wear and footwear from popular brands. According to Wikipedia, they were founded in 1978 (in Memphis, Tennessee) under the name Shelmar Retail Partners, eventually becoming City Gear. Wikipedia They operate physical stores across the central U.S., plus an online store at citygear.com offering “the ultimate destination for the latest in sneakers and streetwear fashion” according to their web site. DTLR

Because they have a physical presence (not just online) that gives one layer of credibility — many “scam” shops only exist online.

Your Shopping Journey With City Gear

Here’s roughly what you’d do:

1. Go to citygear.com (or visit a local store) and browse items: sneakers, boots, street-wear, accessories.
2. Select an item: size, colour, quantity, etc. Add it to cart.
3. Checkout: provide payment (credit card, PayPal, etc), shipping address, etc.
4. The retailer processes your order, ships the item, you receive it.
5. If something is wrong (wrong size, defective, you simply change your mind) you engage with returns/exchanges as per their policy.
6. After-sales: You might need customer service help, track shipment, etc.

If all this flows smoothly, you’d feel comfortable saying “City Gear is legit” and “City Gear is safe”.

Evidence For & Against Smooth Operation

On the positive side: There are website-scans such as by Gridinsoft showing “citygear.com” scored a 100/100 trust score in their automated check, saying “We scanned citygear.com and found it to be legitimate. Our analysis shows a high trust score of 100/100, indicating this website appears to be very safe to use.” Gridinsoft LLC That suggests from a web technical/hosting standpoint things look solid.

On the caution side: The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Their profile says “City Gear is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.” BBB+1 Also, review platforms show mixed (and in some cases poor) user ratings: e.g., Yelp shows an average rating 1.9 from 31 reviews for “City Gear” brand. Yelp Trustpilot shows only 3.2/5 based on one review in the snippet we saw. Trustpilot So while things look legit on a surface level, the “user experience” side has some bumps.

Features: What City Gear Offers

Let’s look at what you get when you shop with City Gear — the good stuff, plus the policies & features you’ll want to pay attention to (because they matter for safety & legitness).

Product Range & Offerings

• Sneakers, boots and footwear from major brands (Nike, Jordan, adidas, etc) — according to their site, they carry “the latest in sneakers and streetwear fashion”. DTLR
• Street-wear apparel — not just shoes. You can get clothing, accessories.
• Online store plus physical locations: this gives you options (you might be able to visit a store or pick-up depending on location).

Website & Online Shopping Tools

• The website appears established (domain age ~26 years according to scan) which is a positive indicator for legitimacy. Gridinsoft LLC
• Secure payment methods: The scan said “Payment processing utilises established and secure payment systems including major credit cards, PayPal…” Gridinsoft LLC
• Cookie consent, standard e-commerce UI, etc. All that suggests they are operating a typical retail site.

Shipping & Delivery

• You expect standard shipping: once you order, they send tracking, the item arrives.
• On their website they mention “Free Shipping” (as per their tagline) in some cases. DTLR
• But actual user reviews do raise concerns about shipping delays or unsatisfactory fulfilment (we’ll cover in cons).

Returns, Exchanges & Customer Service

• This is a key area for “safe / legit” shopping. If you receive defective goods, or wrong size, you want to be able to deal with the retailer effectively.
• I did not find a robust, publicly easy-to-find overview of their return policy in the sources I checked. That’s a mild caution.
• User review issues: Some customers claim things like “They don’t have any refunds except if your item was defected”, “Shipping is slow and support isn’t allowed to give you solutions”. Trustpilot+1

Security & Authenticity: Are Things Safe & Genuine?

One of the biggest worries when buying shoes or streetwear is: Are the products authentic? Are they safe to buy (payment/website security)? Is the retailer genuinely who they say they are?

Website & Payment Security

• The domain being longstanding (26+ years) is a strong positive. Gridinsoft LLC
• The website has standard e-commerce features and uses known payment methods. That’s good for security.
• However: Being secure in terms of encryption doesn’t automatically guarantee perfect customer service or product quality — just that your payment might be safe.

Genuine Products

• For “City Gear is legit” to be meaningful, you want authentic products.
• I found discussions in forums / Reddit: One said: “It’s legit. I’ve ordered shoes online and never had any issues.” Reddit
  That’s promising, though just one voice.
• On the flip side, the Yelp reviews average is very low (1.9 stars) which often correlates with many customer complaints about product issues or service. Yelp
• So, authenticity seems likely in many cases (since they are a large chain retailer with physical stores) but there are enough complaints that you should check each purchase carefully.

Business Status & Accreditation

• As noted, they are not BBB-accredited. BBB+1
  This doesn’t automatically mean “scam”, but it’s a weaker signal than a business that is accredited.
• The fact that they have physical storefronts and longstanding operations is a strong plus. But service inconsistency (as reviews show) is a caveat.

Pros & Cons: What’s Great & What You Should Be Careful About

Let’s summarise the strong points and the warning flags — so you can make an informed decision.

Pros

• It’s an established retailer: City Gear has been around since 1978 and has physical store locations across the U.S., which supports the idea that City Gear is legitimate.
• Many products from recognised brands: They sell sneakers, streetwear and apparel under recognised labels, suggesting you’re buying real goods, which boosts confidence in “City Gear is safe”.
• Strong website security signals: One site scan gave their website a perfect trust score (100/100) based on domain age and payment methods
• Physical + online presence: Because they operate brick-and-mortar stores and an online shop, there’s an added layer of credibility (not just an obscure web‐only shop).

Cons

• Mixed customer service and return experiences: Some customers report difficulties with returns, slow shipping or lack of helpful support. For example: “It’s legit but they have the absolute worst customer service and shipping policies.
• Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB): City Gear is not BBB-accredited, which means one less independent verification of trust
• Many negative customer ratings: Yelp shows a low average rating (about 1.8 stars from ~35 reviews) which suggests many shoppers had unhappy experiences.
• Possible inconsistencies: While the website appears secure and legit, the real-world execution (shipping, returns, quality) seems less consistent — so “safe” in practice may depend on your specific purchase

My Verdict: Is City Gear Legit and Safe?

After walking through all the evidence, here’s what I personally conclude — and my advice to you.

Legit?

Yes — I believe “City Gear is legit” in the sense that they are a real, established retailer, selling genuine items, operating both online and offline. The domain age, physical store presence, product range of known brands—all point in the “legitimate business” direction.

Safe?

Mostly yes — “City Gear is safe” for many shoppers, but with some caveats. If you shop carefully, you’re very likely going to have a good experience. But there is risk of things like service hiccups, slower shipping, or returns being more of a hassle than ideal.

My Friendly Advice to You

If I were you shopping at City Gear, here’s how I’d approach it:

• Use a credit card or PayPal: one that offers buyer protection. That way if things go wrong, you have recourse.
• Before you buy, check the product description carefully. Once it arrives, inspect it: size, brand authenticity, condition.
• If there’s a return/exchange policy, read it and make sure you’re okay with it.
• Keep all documentation: order email, tracking info, photos when item arrives.
• If you get anything weird (used item, wrong item, delay without explanation) contact them immediately and escalate if needed (payment dispute if necessary).
• Don’t assume perfect experience—but assume reasonable experience. If you find a great deal and you’re comfortable with the risk, go for it.

In short: Go ahead and shop at City Gear if you like what you see, but do so with your eyes open. Be a smart shopper. I’d say you’re safe enough to try it, but you’re not dealing with a flawless, perfect retailer that has zero complaints. So the statement “City Gear is legit and safe” is accurate mostly, but with room for you to be cautious.

Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

When I step back and summarise:

• “City Gear is legit” → True.
• “City Gear is safe” → Mostly true, but not 100% flawless.
• “Is City Gear a scam?” → No, not a scam in the sense of fraudulent business, but you should treat it like any retailer that has pros and cons.
• “Is City Gear genuine/authentic?” → In many/most cases yes, but you should check brand authenticity especially if buying high-value items.

City Jeans FAQ

Q1: What kinds of products does City Gear offer?

A: You’ll find a wide mix of footwear (sneakers, boots, slippers) and clothing (hoodies, outerwear, bottoms, tops) for men, women and kids.

Q2: How can I contact City Gear if I have a question or issue?

A: You can reach them via their website’s contact page or in-store at one of their physical locations. If you buy online, check your order confirmation email for customer service info.

Q3: What’s their shipping policy like?

A: City Gear offers standard shipping for online orders. Some promotions may include “free shipping” if you meet a certain price threshold. Always check the checkout for details.

Q4: What about returns and exchanges?

A: If you’re unhappy with your purchase, you can usually return or exchange it within their stated return window — as long as the item is unused, in original condition and you have proof of purchase. (Side note: Make sure to check any restocking fee or return shipping costs.)

Q5: Are the items authentic/genuine (especially famous brands)?

A: Yes — City Gear is a known retailer of major brands like Nike, Jordan, adidas, and others. Because they have physical stores plus an online presence, they’re more likely to sell genuine items rather than knock-offs. But always inspect items for authenticity: correct packaging, brand tags, serial numbers where relevant.

Q6: What payment methods can I use?

A: For online purchases, typical payment methods include major credit/debit cards and possibly digital wallets. In-store you can use cash, cards, etc. Always use a method that offers you protection (e.g., credit card good for disputes).

Q7: Are there any common complaints I should be aware of?

A: Some customers have reported slower shipping than expected, difficulties with returns or exchanges, and occasional customer-service delays. These don’t mean the store is bad—but they are things to watch out for.

Q8: Is it a brick-and-mortar plus online store or online only?

A: It’s both! City Gear operates physical retail locations (in the USA) and also has an online store. That gives you more flexibility (you might try in-store if you like).

Q9: Any tips for buying safely from City Gear?

A: Good idea. Here are some quick tips:

• Use a payment method with buyer protection.
• Keep your receipt/order confirmation and tracking number.
• Inspect your item promptly when it arrives (size, condition, authenticity).
• Read the return policy before you buy.
• If something looks off (wrong brand tag, odd packaging), contact customer service right away.