Bowling shoes have evolved a lot over the years. You might have seen a pair that looks like a pair of bowling shoes, but they don’t look like a pair of bowling shoes. The explanation is simple: They’ve been specially crafted for bowling. That’s how important this sport has become.
Even if you think that you’re not good at bowling, you need to get a pair of bowling shoes to start. They’re nice and comfortable. These days, you can get bowling shoes in various designs. They come in different colors and designs, too.
The only problem is that it’s difficult to choose the right pair. That’s why we’re here to help you with that.
Read on to know more about what bowling shoes look like, their types, and more.
What Do Bowling Shoes Look Like?
Most bowling shoes look like your regular shoes. What makes them different is their durability and grip. They’re designed to stick to the floor, so you don’t slip, fall, or lose that balance you need to throw the ball with precision.
What are their types?
- Smooth soles
These bowling shoes have smooth soles that can help you throw the ball with better speed by getting more traction along the way. The problem with these is that they tend to gather dust and get stuck easily.
- Felt soles
This sole provides better traction than the smooth sole, but it’s not as good as the gum ones we’ll talk about later on. Still, if you have a pair of these, use them for outdoor bowling because these are slippery indoors.
- Rubber soles
If you have a pair of rubber-soled shoes, you should use them outdoors because they can be slippery indoors too, just like the felt-soled ones.
- Urban or indoor bowling shoes
You might want to go with this type of sole because there are a lot of grips you can trust. They’re good for both outdoor and indoor bowling matches, so go with this kind if you don’t have in mind which one to use for specific types of scenarios.
- Gum cup soles
These kinds of sole are what you need to have if you plan on competing a lot and winning consistently. They’re hard and provide as much friction as rubber ones but don’t get stuck as easily. These are great for indoors but not the best outdoor device because they don’t have mesh uppers.
- Comfort feet soles
These soles reduce shoe fatigue by providing traction under your feet without compromising comfort or offering unnecessary weight to your foot. Sounds too good to be true? Try it out and see that it is nothing but an overlie promise.
- Traction devices
This is a special addition to some bowling shoes because people prefer wearing them, so they don’t fall over while playing, even if they wear smooth-bottomed shoes. The device helps keep your feet in place because it’s like a rubber shoelace that prevents your feet from slipping.
What to Consider While Purchasing Bowling Shoes
When buying a bowling shoe, consider:
Shoe style
It’s important to choose the right shoe style for your bowling shoes. If you want to look good, you’d better select the right kind. It’s also important to consider the type of bowling you do. If you’re doing ten-pin bowling, you’d better go for the ten-pin style. If you’re doing alley bowling, you’d better get the alley style. You can read more about the types of bowling shoes at the end of this article.
Lacing
When you get your bowling shoes, you’ll see that they come with laces. Whether you choose the lacing, Velcro, or zippers, you can tie them up. This way, you can customize your bowling shoes to your taste. You can do this according to your style. You can tie your bowling shoes according to that style if you have a certain type. This way, you’ll look good when you get to the bowling alley.
Sun
Bowling shoes must be able to withstand the sun’s rays. They must be able to survive the Texas-style sun. They must be able to stand up to the heat and humidity of Louisiana. They must withstand New York City’s cold and the warmth of Florida’s summers. They must be able to withstand the cold of Michigan’s winters.
These are just some examples of the different regions’ weather. Bowling shoes must be able to withstand all these types of weather. They must be capable of surviving. The best way to ensure this is by getting bowling shoes with a sturdy sole. The sole should be capable of withstanding the weather and must be non-slip.
Affordability
Of course, you’re going to buy a pair of bowling shoes. This is not an expense. This is an investment for your health. Your bowling shoes will keep you safe from slipping when you play bowling. Also, it will make sure that your feet are comfortable with every step you take when playing the game or practicing it at home as part of your training regimen.
Therefore, make sure that you get something of good quality for its price so that it can last long and serve you well throughout your lifetime and beyond.
FAQs
What Are the Best Shoes for Bowling?
It depends on many factors, but the best shoes for bowling are probably the ones that are just right and affordable. When it comes to bowling shoes, you can purchase a set or buy them separately.
The latter can save you some money if you know that your right shoe is narrower than your left shoe. Why? Because every time a professional tries a bowling shoe, they’ll pull out their socks via the shoe’s collar to be able to check how well their foot fits inside the shoe.
If they feel that their food needs just a little bit of “room” inside the bowling boot, pro bowlers will take off their socks and pay extra attention to how well their foot fits into the boot once they are removed.
What Size Shoes Do I Need for Bowling?
It depends on your feet and the type of bowling shoes you buy. If you’re purchasing a set or getting a pair of them, it’s the same as getting shoes for whatever sport you want. You measure your feet and get a size larger – preferably two sizes. Yes, they will slip off when using them on the lanes, but that’s how it works with all sports shoes.
When you’re ready to buy them, remember to ask for their shoe size chart so that you can pick the best fit possible and enjoy many years of great play with your bowling shoes.
Conclusion
If you’re a bowler and want to learn to bowl better, improving your bowling shoes is one of the most effective ways to ensure you don’t slip when taking that first step. We’ve talked about what makes a shoe good for bowling and how to choose one that won’t let you down.