Do you still buy "cheap" bowling shoes?

[jaypeesmith]

In the last 2.5 months, I have learned more about bowling than I have in the last 40+ years. The one thing I never thought about was buying shoes. I've had a pair of Dexters (I don't even know the model) for at least 10 years and I am sure that I only paid about $35 for them back then. Well, after sticking my toe on the approach several times, I finally broke down and bought a pair of Dexter Pro Am II's, which I hope to try out tomorrow.

However, going forward, would I be better served to get shoes with changeable soles? I am not looking to do more than bowl the occasional league but, I am wondering if the cost savings would be more, over time, if I went with a better shoe.

[bowl1820]

As important as a ball is, shoes are what get you to the line. If your not getting to the line good, it won't matter what ball your rolling.

Interchangeable sole shoes offer the most adjustment options and are the Cadillac of shoes. Do you need them?

That depends, if your bowling in multiple houses then yes they can make the difference. If your just bowling in one house then you don't necessarily need them but they can be useful at times. Especially if you have problem approaches at your center, like do to humidity issues

You should have shoes though that have a slide sole and a grip sole. They make them and they are not that much different in price than universal sole shoes.

Universal sole shoes are okay if your just a occasional bowler or beginner, but if your wanting to be more than that then you invest in shoes.

[djp1080]

JP, The Pro Am II shoes have a slide shoe and a gripping shoe for right handers. One of our senior bowlers bought a pair and they're darn good shoes. They're just not the Cadillac version with all the fixins... I think you'll be just fine with those and they'll last you a good long time.

[boatman37]

Good question. Just started back up last week after a 15 year break and used house shoes...horrible. I used to have a pair of Hydes. Looking to buy another pair but mentioned left handed shoes and was told that didn't matter anymore.

[bowl1820]

Looking to buy another pair but mentioned left handed shoes and was told that didn't matter anymore.

They don't matter! OMG. That better not have been the pso saying that!

For cheap universal shoes it might not, but for every else it does matter.

[J Anderson]

In the last 2.5 months, I have learned more about bowling than I have in the last 40+ years. The one thing I never thought about was buying shoes. I've had a pair of Dexters (I don't even know the model) for at least 10 years and I am sure that I only paid about $35 for them back then. Well, after sticking my toe on the approach several times, I finally broke down and bought a pair of Dexter Pro Am II's, which I hope to try out tomorrow.

However, going forward, would I be better served to get shoes with changeable soles? I am not looking to do more than bowl the occasional league but, I am wondering if the cost savings would be more, over time, if I went with a better shoe.

Since you are planning on “the occasional league”, the ProAm IIs should be fine. The exception would be if the bowling center is very erratic in its maintenance of the approaches, where they go from normal to getting slowly stickier, and then suddenly, all the approaches are slick. Then you might need changable soles even though you always bowl at the same center. My own experience is that certain chains are more likely to have sticky spots or slippery spots randomly scattered on different approaches. A lane that is perfectly fine for a shot up the track may find you sliding past the foul line going for the ten pin.

[Phonetek]

Since you are planning on “the occasional league”, the ProAm IIs should be fine. The exception would be if the bowling center is very erratic in its maintenance of the approaches, where they go from normal to getting slowly stickier, and then suddenly, all the approaches are slick. Then you might need changable soles even though you always bowl at the same center. My own experience is that certain chains are more likely to have sticky spots or slippery spots randomly scattered on different approaches. A lane that is perfectly fine for a shot up the track may find you sliding past the foul line going for the ten pin.

Gotta love the approaches where some idiot used Baby powder on their shoes or worse they made a pile on the floor. The other is when they track in water or spilled something in the bowling area that you didn't realize you stepped in. Yes, Baby powder is illegal and shouldn't even be allowed in the bowling alley people still do it. The liquid scenario is more frequent. I don't know how many times I had to take my shoes off and visit the mens room to hold my shoes under the hand dryer. Otherwise one way you fall on your butt the other way on your face. Neither is fun.

[Blomer]

When i first started, I bought a cheap pair of Dexters, plain black tennis shoe looking. Didn't care for them that much. Went and bout the SST10 I believe and worked well till the sole was splitting. Went with 3G Tour Ultra and love them. I never use different soles between the 3 houses I bowl as, but very comfortable and the toe guard was much needed. Going on year 2 with them and no complaints. Well worth the money.

[TCJ]

I got my shoes about 14 years ago. They were $80 Dexters. Non-replaceable soles. While I have had some issues with them on synthetic lanes, I almost never bowl on anything but wood approaches these days and I have absolutely no sticking problems on them. For me, then, a simple pair of shoes is all I need. I might consider getting a slightly better pair if I were to bowl in different centers that have the synthetic approaches.

[jaypeesmith]

JP, The Pro Am II shoes have a slide shoe and a gripping shoe for right handers. One of our senior bowlers bought a pair and they're darn good shoes. They're just not the Cadillac version with all the fixins... I think you'll be just fine with those and they'll last you a good long time.

Thanks for the insight. I'm hoping they work out for me.

[boatman37]

Wasn't the current PSO but was the previous one that I had purchased all of my old equipment from 25-30 years ago. But I didn't quite believe him so thanks for confirming that for me!

[J Anderson]

They don't matter! OMG. That better not have been the pso saying that!

For cheap universal shoes it might not, but for every else it does matter.

Unless the pso was trying to talk him into really high end shoes where both the slide and traction soles can be changed.

[jamoke]

One big plus for replaceable soles/heels is the fact that you can pull out a fresh identical sole/heel when you accidentally step in liquid or powder. You can deal with the problem after competition is over instead of messing up your game.

[bowl1820]

Unless the pso was trying to talk him into really high end shoes where both the slide and traction soles can be changed.

Possibly

But not all of them will swap from right to left or left to right, Like my TPU-X's they have changeable slide and traction soles but they don't swap. So you still have to check to make sure, just in case you have to specify left or right handed shoes.

[Eddy]

As important as a ball is, shoes are what get you to the line. If your not getting to the line good, it won't matter what ball your rolling.

Interchangeable sole shoes offer the most adjustment options and are the Cadillac of shoes. Do you need them?

That depends, if your bowling in multiple houses then yes they can make the difference. If your just bowling in one house then you don't necessarily need them but they can be useful at times. Especially if you have problem approaches at your center, like do to humidity issues

You should have shoes though that have a slide sole and a grip sole. They make them and they are not that much different in price than universal sole shoes.

Universal sole shoes are okay if your just a occasional bowler or beginner, but if your wanting to be more than that then you invest in shoes.

Unless you don't slide. I take 4 baby steps and gently plant my left foot. With me, it's all about upper body and timing. Right or wrong, at this point in my life I have no aspirations of going pro. But there are a few pros out there that basically have no slide, so it's not totally unheard of.

Btw, I have an average pair of Dexters that look ok. I think they were around $50.

[bowl1820]

Unless you don't slide. I take 4 baby steps and gently plant my left foot. With me, it's all about upper body and timing. Right or wrong, at this point in my life I have no aspirations of going pro. But there are a few pros out there that basically have no slide, so it's not totally unheard of.

Btw, I have an average pair of Dexters that look ok. I think they were around $50.

Though with adjustable traction soles now available, a plant and shooter would have options for tailoring their footing.

but Yes, If your a true plant and shoot bowler then interchangeable soles are not necessarily needed.

In that case I would recommend a good quality pair of non-marking street shoes dedicated just for bowling. With street shoes you'd have a wider range of selection To get ones that would offer maximum support and comfort.

[Phonetek]

Unless you don't slide. I take 4 baby steps and gently plant my left foot. With me, it's all about upper body and timing. Right or wrong, at this point in my life I have no aspirations of going pro. But there are a few pros out there that basically have no slide, so it's not totally unheard of.


I'm not a plant my left foot guy per say but I try to keep a minimal slide. The Linds I use have a perforated sole that help reduce the slide that's why I bought them. I'm tall so I have long legs, if I slide too much I'd fall, end up with a higher voice or rip my pants. My 4 steps start small and each progressively bigger with the slide step of course the largest. This gives me the best timing which by me using that method it would be extremely rare for me to get out of sync. That's just me though, I've never seen the gap between each step specifically being taught, just something I consciously worked on until it became second nature. I adjust the length of my steps depending on how hard I need to throw, they still stay progressive though. My ball speed comes from my foot speed not my arm. I'm not saying it's right or wrong but it works well specifically for me but the shoes are an integral part of it being successful. I swear by my Linds and I personally would get myself a cheaper wedding ring before cheaper bowling shoes. Again, I will stress that's just for me but may not make sense for you.