Is there a way to make bowling shoe have more traction?

[ursus]

I have a pair of lower end Dexter bowling shoes that have the slide sole on both the left and right soles. Can't afford at the moment to get a new pair that is specifically for right handers, so I was wondering if there was a way to make my right sole a little less slippery so I can get a better traction as I start my approach in in my push-off.

[bowl1820]

On the shoe you want to grip, rough it up with a wire brush and keep the heel real clean will help.
or
Just get a cheap pair of tennis shoes and just wear the right shoe for a grip shoe. A lot of guys do it.

[MinnesotaBowler]

I agree with bowl1820. Pro bowler Mike Fagan actually started wearing a tennis shoe on his non-slide foot recently. If that is uncomfortable, you could maybe try modifying your non-slide shoe's slide area by replacing the slide with a patch of rubber. I wouldn't actually recommend this though as I've never seen anyone try this and I don't know if there is some kind of rule against it or not.

[bowl1820]

I agree with bowl1820. Pro bowler Mike Fagan actually started wearing a tennis shoe on his non-slide foot recently. If that is uncomfortable, you could maybe try modifying your non-slide shoe's slide area by replacing the slide with a patch of rubber. I wouldn't actually recommend this though as I've never seen anyone try this and I don't know if there is some kind of rule against it or not.

You can have the sole replaced at a shoe shop (a Cobbler) with a grip sole, getting the tennis shoe would be cheap & easiest though.

[J Anderson]

The only problem I see with the tennis shoe is getting used to a difference in sole thickness. Most likely the tennis shoe will be thicker soled than the bowling shoe, and that may feel kinda weird until you get used to it.

[bowl1820]

The only problem I see with the tennis shoe is getting used to a difference in sole thickness. Most likely the tennis shoe will be thicker soled than the bowling shoe, and that may feel kinda weird until you get used to it.

Deck shoe would be close in thickness.

[ursus]

What if someone took a couple beads of clear silicone caulk and then smoothed it into the felt to create a rubbery surface. Is that legal?

[bowl1820]

What if someone took a couple beads of clear silicone caulk and then smoothed it into the felt to create a rubbery surface. Is that legal?

It might work at first, but it would rub and come loose. Leaving pieces on the lane, someone step on them and then stick and fall.

[Josch]

Would getting the slide of the shoe wet work? I know if you step in even a drop of water the shoes get messed up so would soaking them increase the traction? I've considered doing this a few times myself.

[bowl1820]

One other possibility is in places like walmart in the shoes section. They have stick on grip soles.
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfxUz93Z_ZepntAlNNTMILuN7SB-LFDyWogvVUdyY2bWoBBwUvwTTjy-chyw

[ursus]

Would getting the slide of the shoe wet work? I know if you step in even a drop of water the shoes get messed up so would soaking them increase the traction? I've considered doing this a few times myself.

I think you would end up getting the approach wet and risk that water getting onto your sliding sole and really messing you up


One other possibility is in places like walmart in the shoes section. They have stick on grip soles.
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfxUz93Z_ZepntAlNNTMILuN7SB-LFDyWogvVUdyY2bWoBBwUvwTTjy-chyw

Never seen those before, I may take a look for them next time I am in Wally World

[Josch]

I think you would end up getting the approach wet and risk that water getting onto your sliding sole and really messing you up

I would let them dry completely first. I have spots on my shoes from stepping in water. If I soak the entire shoe I don't think it would slide at all after drying out.

[ursus]

I would let them dry completely first. I have spots on my shoes from stepping in water. If I soak the entire shoe I don't think it would slide at all after drying out.


Not sure I follow how getting the shoe wet and then letting it completely dry out would affect the sliding ability or lack there of

[bowl1820]

Not sure I follow how getting the shoe wet and then letting it completely dry out would affect the sliding ability or lack there of

If you use water and wash the sole material and let it dry. It will became hard and stiff, not soft and smooth like it was. It won't slide right anymore, but it won't really grip like grip sole either.

look at like a car Shamus, when new its soft after you get it wet and it drys, it's hard and stiff.

I had a old pair of linds and tried washing the sole once (it was dirty), it was a waste of time and ruined it.

[Josch]

If you use water and wash the sole material and let it dry. It will became hard and stiff, not soft and smooth like it was. It won't slide right anymore, but it won't really grip like grip sole either.

Do you think getting the sole wet is better than it being slick like the slide shoe or is it not worth it?

[bowl1820]

Do you think getting the sole wet is better than it being slick like the slide shoe or is it not worth it?

That's not a call I can make for someone else. Me I'd just go get a cheap tennis shoe.

[RoccoRock]

I think the sneaker is the way to go. I bough a pair of sneakers from Walmart for $15, just to use the right one as a push off shoe. Because of my awkward slide, I destroy my push off shoe, and I am not about to drop $100 every 6 months on new bowling shoes, so the sneaker is the way to go.

[ursus]

I used the wire brush trick tonight and it gave me noticeably more traction. Not quite as much as I would like but definitely better than the status quo