The perfect pair of bowling shoes may seem like a mystery. Does size matter? Will they run big or small? These are common questions that people have about bowling shoes.
The truth is, there isn’t a universal answer to whether bowling shoes run small or large. This is because several factors come into play. In this article, we’ll be discussing the topic of bowling shoes running big or small. Let’s get started!
What Makes a Bowling Shoe Run Small or Large?
Before we dive into determining whether bowling shoes run small or large, let’s discuss what factors affect whether a bowling shoe runs small or large.
Since there isn’t a standard answer to whether bowling shoes run small or large, we’ll start by discussing the factors that affect the answer to this question. Then, we’ll discuss how to determine whether your bowling shoes will run small or large. The first thing that affects the fit of a bowling shoe is the bowler’s foot size.
If you’re a narrow runner, your bowling shoes may run slightly small. Likewise, a wide runner may notice that their shoes run a bit big. The thinner your foot size is, the bigger or smaller your bowling shoes will run.
The second thing that matters is how much room the bowler has in his toe area.
Those bowling shoes will likely run big if he’s got plenty of space between his toes and the end of his heel. However, if he has very little room in this area, those bowling shoes will seem too small for him. The deeper into your foot, the more comfortable space available in your toe area, the comfier and fluffier you’ll be on the lanes when wearing that bowling shoe.
How to Determine Whether Your Bowling Shoes Will Run Small or Large
When we use our eyes, it automatically make some decisions without even thinking. When you look at a thing in front of you, it knows whether it’s small or large-scale.
For example, when people look at a white wall a piece of paper or a glass of milk, they immediately know what their units are. That’s because all things in front of us are three-dimensional objects.
They have thickness, height, and width; they all work on the same principles of geometry.
So when we look at a long narrow bowling shoe on an adult man who stands in front of his home team, we immediately assess the “size” of the bowling shoe: Is this whole person one unit? Or is this ball, hand, and foot another unit?
In other words, can I count two-dozen sets like 1), 2), and even 3) as one more extensive set that contains 4)?
The first step is to measure how far down your hand goes inside the foot area (your toes don’t count here): Is it more than halfway down? Does your hand cave in more than halfway (say above where your toes would ride comfortably)?
If so, this is a “small foot” bowling shoe. However, if your fingers don’t go into the area more than halfway, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have tiny feet.
Next, measure how deep the gripping indentions are (between your second and third toes) in the front of your bowling shoe: Does your arch stick out more than halfway? Does it seem to run shallow from there on out? Again, if so, this is a “small foot” bowling shoe.
How Much of a Difference Does Length Have on a Bowling Shoe?
In general, bowling shoes indeed run small. However, the length of a bowling shoe is not the only factor that affects whether a bowling shoe runs small or large. The size of a bowling shoe only has about a 10% impact on the fit of the bowling shoe. So, how does length affect whether or not a bowling shoe runs small or large?
The answer is that length is a contributing factor, but it’s not the main factor. When it comes to the fit of a bowling shoe, length is one of the main factors that affect how big or small a bowling shoe runs. However, length isn’t the only factor.
Other factors, like how wide the toe is and how high the heel is, also come into play. Therefore, the fit of a bowling shoe is more complicated than just comparing the length of a bowling shoe to your shoe size.
Does the Bowler’s Foot Size Matter?
If you’re a bowler who wears a wide foot or broader feet, your bowling shoes may run slightly more significantly. In this instance, you may want to try buying bowling shoes that are a bit wide. What’s the deal with wide feet?
When you wear a bowling shoe that’s too wide for your feet, the front of your foot will be worn down more often. This can cause blisters on your back foot more often. Therefore, it’s essential to purchase bowling shoes that run the correct size.
Should You Buy Bowling Shoes Online or At a Retail Store?
When it comes to buying the best bowling shoes, the answer is that if you stick primarily with online sellers who have excellent return policies and warranty policies, you should buy bowling shoes online. The reason is that most of these companies offer free shipping, durable packaging materials, and excellent customer service.
The downside of buying bowling shoes online is that sometimes you can end up with a pair of bowling shoes that runs smaller or larger than your standard shoe size. A downside to shopping at a retail store is that sometimes these stores can be more expensive than an online retailer or eBay. Therefore, if you decide to buy bowling shoes from a retail store that’s not on this list, it’s best to try different sizes and styles before making any purchase decision.
Final Words
In general, bowling shoes run small. However, the size of your bowling shoes may be affected by your foot size, the width of your feet, the toe of your bowling shoes, and the length of your bowling shoes.
So, how do you know how big or small a bowling shoe will run? The answer is that you should try on several different pairs of bowling shoes before you buy them. When you do this, you can inspect the fit of each pair of bowling shoes and see how they fit your feet.
