Exchangeable soles and Heels?

[GoodGorilla]

I really want to buy some Dexter sst 8's but I thought that the soles and heels were going to be cheaper. There are like 10 soles and 10 heels which each cost like 20 bucks. It's not financially possible for me to buy them all and try which combos I like the best like I hoped. Is there a way to give them a test run before buying?

[GoodGorilla]

Yeah so I just ordered a pair of sst 8's because I feel that I will need to experiment with soles to get a perfect slide. I didn't order any additional soles or heels yet because I should find a way to narrow down my choices for which I should buy. My current pair of shoes gives me no slide what so ever. After I get the new shoes, I'll probably have to guestimate how much more slide or break I need. I have no experience with inter changeable shoes, any advice?

[MisterSinister]

I bought a pair of 3g shoes, and they came with two soles. Slide number 6 and 10. I bought #2, and that's all I need.

[Cochese]

I just bought the SST 6 LZ and they came with S8 and S6 slides and H5 Sawtooth and H7 leather heels. The combo out of the box is the S8 and the H5. That has proved to work OK from me at 3 different centers in my area, but the heel sticks for me sometimes. Probably more of a problem with technique than equipment though. I tried the H7 heel, but it was too slick for anywhere I have gone so far. I am going to try the S6 and H7 combo this afternoon as the H6 isn't supposed to be as slick as the S8 slide.

[Zothen]

I have the SST 8's and I like the soles that came with it!

Zothen

[bowl1820]

I really want to buy some Dexter sst 8's but I thought that the soles and heels were going to be cheaper. There are like 10 soles and 10 heels which each cost like 20 bucks. It's not financially possible for me to buy them all and try which combos I like the best like I hoped. Is there a way to give them a test run before buying?

You don't need all the soles and heels. for the majority of people the ones you get with them are the only ones you'll need.

Unless you run around to many different houses, with different approaches.

The most I ever did was switch heels and soles once or twice, just with the ones that came with them.

If you go here, you can test sole and heel combos virtually :

http://www.dexterbowling.com/soles-heels.aspx

[dutchlefty]

You don't need all the soles and heels. for the majority of people the ones you get with them are the only ones you'll need.

Unless you run around to many different houses, with different approaches.

The most I ever did was switch heels and soles once or twice, just with the ones that came with them.

If you go here, you can test sole and heel combos virtually :

http://www.dexterbowling.com/soles-heels.aspx

Same here for me.. the times i bowl at other places i find that the soles that come with the sst8 provide enough variation/possibilities to adapt your slide to the lanes. At 'home base' i only need one type/combination. So don't worry.
it's a good purchase. I'm very satisfied with them. Better slide, better balance and very comfortable to wear...

[GoodGorilla]

Yeah I suppose I do have to wait for them to come in before I start making plans to getting more soles or heels.

[75lockwood]

My current pair of shoes gives me no slide what so ever.

On your current pair of shoes, are the slide pads still clean? if they are, it's possible that the reason your not getting any slide is you and not the shoe, i have people who get there first pair of slide shoes but can never get the slide there looking for because on the forth step they plant the left foot instead of letting it slide.

if on the other hand the slide pad on your current pair of shoes is dirty and not a smooth surface to slide on any more you could try cleaning it with a wire brush, often this will bring some life back into it.

Good luck!

[GoodGorilla]

On your current pair of shoes, are the slide pads still clean? if they are, it's possible that the reason your not getting any slide is you and not the shoe, i have people who get there first pair of slide shoes but can never get the slide there looking for because on the forth step they plant the left foot instead of letting it slide.

if on the other hand the slide pad on your current pair of shoes is dirty and not a smooth surface to slide on any more you could try cleaning it with a wire brush, often this will bring some life back into it.

Good luck!
I'll look at it, but the first thing I did with those shoes was trying to slide. One time I made a joke about it by running on the wood and trying to slide. I nearly fell on my face. I should look up my purchase and see what it's slide is suppose to be.

[GoodGorilla]

This is the etonic shoe I am using now
http://www.etonic.com/mens/bowling/esport/esport-EBMD304-1.html

[75lockwood]

This is the etonic shoe I am using now
http://www.etonic.com/mens/bowling/esport/esport-EBMD304-1.html

I've actually used a pair of these before (nice shoe), you should have no problem sliding with them, if the white slide pad is still clean on them then you may want to look at if your planting your foot instead of sliding.

[GoodGorilla]

I've actually used a pair of these before (nice shoe), you should have no problem sliding with them, if the white slide pad is still clean on them then you may want to look at if your planting your foot instead of sliding.


I'm probably planting instead of sliding. However I have tried in many ways to get it to slide unsuccessfully. My sst 8's came in the mail yesterday and now are sitting in my car to try out later if I have time after work.

[GoodGorilla]

Oh yeah, the bottoms are a little dirty. I need a wire brush to clean them? The gunk on the bottom doesn't look easily removable. It's not like bubblegum though.

[GoodGorilla]

I bowled like 8 games yesterday on my new sst'8s. Everything but comfort are better than my old etonics. The slide is just barly more slippery than my old shoes, but they are still not slick enough for me to obtain a consistant slide, however I can buy different soles or heels to help. The area of the shoe that contacts the lane is much larger which provides much better balance. The leather and double stiching make the shoe seem like they will last a long time. The only problem I had with them is in the back of my right shoe there is some kind of sharp edge in there that shaved off the skin on my heel after 8 games. I'm probably gonna call the company I bought them from tommorow or take them to a shoe worker.

[billf]

There is no polite way to state this so take it with a grain of salt. Body mass plays a role. Being a heavier person I have to use the combo for the slickest slide to get any.

[GoodGorilla]

Just an update on the shoes. I don't know if I mentioned that in the back of one the heels of the sst8s, there was a sharp edge created by some stiching of the leather. The sharp edge cut up the back of my heel pretty good, but the company I bought them from is sending me a replacement. I think I did mention how the shoes performed, however I don't think I mentioned that my ball speed dropped from 18mph to about 14. Probably because of the pain the shoes caused, we'll see when I get the new pair in.

[UBowling]

I swear by the SST8s! I just ordered a new pair myself. Gotta have a good dependable slide. It is the most important factor in my game, if I don't feel good on my slide, I can't bowl.

I only carry 2 heels and maybe 3 soles. I typically use a H7 heel and an S8 sole. But I think I am going to try out the S9 sole and see if I like it better.

So you don't have to get all of them. Just a few in the area you like. Dexter has a really good chart for you to decide where you should start and then you can go from there.
http://www.dexterbowling.com/images/promo/shop/shop_soles_heels_header.jpg

Here is a good site to see what your slide would be like with each one: Slide Test (http://www.dexterbowling.com/soles-heels.aspx)

[GoodGorilla]

What color did you get? I got the white ones because I didn't want the pattern to distract me.

[UBowling]

I have had the original black and grey ones, I currently have the white ones, but I ordered the new Black/Blue/White model. My second choice was the black and red.

I have been wondering lately if they are just going to keep offering different colors of the 8s or if they will ever make some SST9s. If they release some this season after I ordered 8s I am going to be pretty pissed though! Lol

[75lockwood]

I swear by the SST8s! I just ordered a new pair myself. Gotta have a good dependable slide. It is the most important factor in my game, if I don't feel good on my slide, I can't bowl.

I only carry 2 heels and maybe 3 soles. I typically use a H7 heel and an S8 sole. But I think I am going to try out the S9 sole and see if I like it better.

So you don't have to get all of them. Just a few in the area you like. Dexter has a really good chart for you to decide where you should start and then you can go from there.
http://www.dexterbowling.com/images/promo/shop/shop_soles_heels_header.jpg

Here is a good site to see what your slide would be like with each one: Slide Test (http://www.dexterbowling.com/soles-heels.aspx)

Looks like a nice shoe, might look into these next time i replace, the etonics i have are nice and have the replaceable soles, but the only pro shop that sells the replacement soles want's $40 each, but there are a few different shops that have the dexters

[UBowling]

Ouch! $40 each?? Don't do it. Ask the shop manager if he will discount them and if not just go online and get them for a better deal. Pro Shops shouldn't be trying to upcharge everything so much, that is why they lose out to online shoppers so much. But who knows, maybe they are so much because they are hard to find, in which case you should switch shoes anyway so you can get the soles you want.

[75lockwood]

Ouch! $40 each?? Don't do it. Ask the shop manager if he will discount them and if not just go online and get them for a better deal. Pro Shops shouldn't be trying to upcharge everything so much, that is why they lose out to online shoppers so much. But who knows, maybe they are so much because they are hard to find, in which case you should switch shoes anyway so you can get the soles you want.

Yeah for sure, i originally bought them because they where discounted (used lightly and returned). don't get me wrong, they are great shoe's its just that the one proshop is very overpriced, and buying online is an issue due to shipping cost to Canada.

[J Anderson]

Looks like a nice shoe, might look into these next time i replace, the etonics i have are nice and have the replaceable soles, but the only pro shop that sells the replacement soles want's $40 each, but there are a few different shops that have the dexters

I would think that you could use Dexter soles on the Etonics. I think the Dexter ones are $20 or less locally.

[GoodGorilla]

I just ordered an H7 heel and a s10 sole for 20 dollars a set. It says they are cut to fit, which someone told me you literally have to cut the soles and heels to fit the shoe. Has anyone done this? How is it done?

[75lockwood]

I just ordered an H7 heel and a s10 sole for 20 dollars a set. It says they are cut to fit, which someone told me you literally have to cut the soles and heels to fit the shoe. Has anyone done this? How is it done?

I have seen shoe inserts that are cut to fit before, they are size 13 or so and have lines on them for where to cut to get each specific size. not sure if its the same though..

[Basisud]

I had to replace a sole because an awesome bowler spilled beer on the floor. i had to line up the heel to the velcro, sketch the line on the slide, and cut it. make sure you have a VERY sharp scissors or knife to do this because they do not cut easily. They also fray if the cutting utensil isn't sharp enough... i've seen people with replacement slides just stick them on and not care about the floppy extra.

[Cochese]

I just bought the SST6 LZ's a few weeks ago and it came with two soles. Both are cut pretty close to size, but hang over the sides a little bit. I trimed then down with a normal pair of scissors, didn't have any trouble with fraying on the S6 or S8 soles. Great BTW, really like them a lot.

[Brother_jd]

I have Dexter SST6s. They came with like 3 or replaceable soles and heels. I currently have an H7 heel and S6 sole on.

[UBowling]

I just received my new Black/Silver/Blue SST8s from UPS! I am pretty excited to get out on the lanes with these bad boys!

[GoodGorilla]

I really like mine so far. There are ups and downs to them, I think I already described them. I get better balance and accuracy, buy my ball speed has dropped 4mph. I think the shoes are heavier than my old ones, or mabey I am walking slower because my injury from the first pair I received still hasn't healed fully.