What to look for in first pair of shoes?

[unclemantis]

Ok I got my ball but now the $2 or $3 a pop for shoes is adding up and sometimes I have to get a size 13 instead of a 12 so I am swimming around in the clown shoes at the near by center.

Shoes I am sure are just like balls. The perfect fit and feel means EVERYTHING.

OK guys... ready...... GO!

[v33dubfox]

First thing to look at is to be comfortable in them. Wearing them all day long during tournament would be a pain in th a** if those aren't comfortable.

Second thing is budget. Can you afford high quality shoes with interchangable soles?

[unclemantis]

First thing to look at is to be comfortable in them. Wearing them all day long during tournament would be a pain in th a** if those aren't comfortable.

Second thing is budget. Can you afford high quality shoes with interchangable soles?

Understandable about being comfortable but how does one try on shoes through an ONLINE store? It is not like Foot Locker sells bowling shoes.

Budget is between $50 and $75 just like sneakers.

Are there FEATURES I need to look for?

[unclemantis]

These are what I am wearing right now.

http://www.shoestation.com/assets/product_images/PAMPAAMKMAGNIAKJ.jpg

[e-tank]

i wear dexter ricky ll's. Id recommend them if youre tryna keep your money in your wallet. I cant comment on performance though as theyre my first pair of bowling shoes

[Greenday]

...Those are bowling shoes?

[striker12]

my first bowling shoes where etonic e-sport, strike 300 and they are comfortable they only costed me $100 and im in canada so i pay more then what you guys would.

great shoes you have to get a wire brush and after everynight of league use the brush to clean them becuase if you get dirt or anything that will mess up your slid and leave it on there it will stay and very hard to get off. but using a wire brush is nothing it takes about 30 seconds to do both shoes.

[SouthpawTRK]

I bought some Dexter shoes from bowlingball.com (http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-shoes/Dexter/3241/Men-s-Turbo-2-Black-Khaki.html0); except the wide version. They fit way better than house shoes and did not break the bank. If you are worried about buying shoes online, you can spend $5 to get their surefit plan; just in case they don't fit. Eventually, I'd like to get some shoes that have interchangeable soles, but all in due time. My foot measures in at a 9.5, but I usually buy all my shoes a 1/2 size bigger (I have a wide foot and most stores don't have much selection in wide sizes). I ordered a size 10 and they fit well and are comfortable.

[bowl1820]

What you want to look for are shoes that have a slide sole and a traction sole. (They don't have to be the expensive ones with interchangable soles).

The traction sole improves your power step (the next-to-last step) which adds to your body's momentum. Which gives your swing more impetus and thus improves leverage.

The soles would look similar to this:
http://s4.postimage.org/dhqtooa4d/shoesoles.jpg

As for what brand Dexters are vary common and good brand, but there are several other brands also.

here's a example of some low cost linds shoes that have a slide and traction soles. (this is a pair for a right hander)
http://www.bowling.com/products/linds-mens-new-era-john-right-hand.htm

http://images.bowling.com/main/7055.jpg

As for a simple way of sizing go to the pro shop and try some on there, see what size fits. Then order that size online.

Remember if you order some get the correct shoes for what hand you bowl with. If you bowl right handed , you get right handed shoes.

Also get a pair of protective booties to put over them to walk around in and a little wire shoe brush.

http://steelfingers.com/shoecovers.jpg

http://ebonite.com/images/uploads/accessories/shoe_brush_blue_reto.jpg

[unclemantis]

What you want to look for are shoes that have a slide sole and a traction sole. (They don't have to be the expensive ones with interchangable soles).

The traction sole improves your power step (the next-to-last step) which adds to your body's momentum. Which gives your swing more impetus and thus improves leverage.

The soles would look similar to this:
http://s4.postimage.org/dhqtooa4d/shoesoles.jpg

As for what brand Dexters are vary common and good brand, but there are several other brands also.

here's a example of some low cost linds shoes that have a slide and traction soles. (this is a pair for a right hander)
http://www.bowling.com/products/linds-mens-new-era-john-right-hand.htm

http://images.bowling.com/main/7055.jpg

As for a simple way of sizing go to the pro shop and try some on there, see what size fits. Then order that size online.

Remember if you order some get the correct shoes for what hand you bowl with. If you bowl right handed , you get right handed shoes.

Also get a pair of protective booties to put over them to walk around in and a little wire shoe brush.

http://steelfingers.com/shoecovers.jpg

http://ebonite.com/images/uploads/accessories/shoe_brush_blue_reto.jpg

Wow! Thank you everyone!

[unclemantis]

I wear size 12 Nike and been wearing 12 house bowling shoes.

Any thoughts?

[ArtVandelay]

I wear size 12 Nike and been wearing 12 house bowling shoes.

Any thoughts?

Only way to know for sure is to try some on! But bowlingball.com has some kind of sure fit guarantee and theyre likely to be less expensive than the alley.

Ive never spent more than $40 for a pair of bowling shoes. I think you would be wise to get the cheapest pair you can find for your first ones. All you will have to compare them to is house bowling shoes and even $20 shoes are superior. If you get too good a pair, you may be uncomfortable with how much they slide and that might cause problems.

Start small and go from there!

[rand]

I was told by my local pro shop that dexters run a half size larger than normal shoe sizes.

[Keithalw]

I wear a size 12 in my adidas and new balances but 12 in dexters are too snug and tight on my feet so I go with a 13 which seems to be the perfect size... also I have never spent more than $50-$60 on a pair of bowling shoes and usually end up going to academey sports and out doors to get them cause the pro shop rarely has my size and if they do its only the expensive ones that they have lol

[unclemantis]

I wear a size 12 in my adidas and new balances but 12 in dexters are too snug and tight on my feet so I go with a 13 which seems to be the perfect size... also I have never spent more than $50-$60 on a pair of bowling shoes and usually end up going to academey sports and out doors to get them cause the pro shop rarely has my size and if they do its only the expensive ones that they have lol


These are the cheapest I can find for Dexter Right Handed http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-shoes/Dexter/9472/Men-s-Pro-Am-II-Right-Handed.html

$64.99 + $4.99. This is NOT within the $50 to $60 range. More like the $60 to $70 range. :(

[ArtVandelay]

These are cheaper:

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-shoes/Dexter/2814/Boy-s-Ricky-II-Jr--White.html

[Keithalw]

These are the cheapest I can find for Dexter Right Handed http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-shoes/Dexter/9472/Men-s-Pro-Am-II-Right-Handed.html

$64.99 + $4.99. This is NOT within the $50 to $60 range. More like the $60 to $70 range. :(

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_518401_-1__?color=White%2fBlack&N=834233313+10001&Ntt=bowling+shoes&Ntk=All

$40 and dexters... I actually own this pair now and have had them roughly 4 months

[J Anderson]

These are cheaper:

http://www.bowlingball.com/products/bowling-shoes/Dexter/2814/Boy-s-Ricky-II-Jr--White.html

I don't think a boy's shoe will come in a size 12 or 13 for men.

[unclemantis]

I don't think a boy's shoe will come in a size 12 or 13 for men.

I think I will go to my pro shop and get sized and see if they can price match.

[eugene02]

My first pair of shoe is.... Dexter SST8.. still using them... haha.. roughly 10 months old...