SST's

[Timmyb]

After 16 years in my current shoes, I think I might be ready for a new pair. My current shoes are SST 4's, and I've always loved them, but they aren't made anymore. Has anyone here had experience with the SST 8's? Looks like the same type of soles left to right, but that heel kind of scares me. I don't slide a heck of a lot, but no slide will put me out on the lane.

[J Anderson]

Being ambidextrous, I love SST8s. I use the H5 sawtooth heel on both shoes so I only need to switch soles when I switch hands. This heel gives a smooth brake at the end of a slide. Not too abrupt for my middle aged knees to take.

I haven't run in to an approach yet that forced me to switch to a different traction sole. Makes me wonder why those who are not ambidextrous woulld spend the extra money for SST8s or T.H.E. 9 , when an SST tank would work as well.

[bowl1820]

After 16 years in my current shoes, I think I might be ready for a new pair. My current shoes are SST 4's, and I've always loved them, but they aren't made anymore. Has anyone here had experience with the SST 8's? Looks like the same type of soles left to right, but that heel kind of scares me. I don't slide a heck of a lot, but no slide will put me out on the lane.

The main issue with the SST 8's are the possibility of the sole splitting on the traction shoe and if your a toe dragger the possibility of excessive wear and tear on the toe of the traction shoe.

The 9's are supposed to have addressed these issue, only time will tell though.

As for the soles & heels on the SST 8's, the soles & heels are changeable just change the soles & heels to adjust your slide to your liking.

[epiepenburg]

I went from the sst5's to the sst8 shoes. I like them, have a year on them with no issues. Pads are cheaper for the 8's than the 9's, the 8's won't work with the 9's.

[Timmyb]

Nine's? Didn't see those anywhere!



The main issue with the SST 8's are the possibility of the sole splitting on the traction shoe and if your a toe dragger the possibility of excessive wear and tear on the toe of the traction shoe.

The 9's are supposed to have addressed these issue, only time will tell though.

As for the soles & heels on the SST 8's, the soles & heels are changeable just change the soles & heels to adjust your slide to your liking.

[bowl1820]

Nine's? Didn't see those anywhere!

The 9's (aka: SST 9) are the newest shoes out by Dexter and just came out back in August. They include some new design changes and address the issues the SST 8's had.

They are a bit more expensive ($190) and don't come with the extra soles & heels like the older SST's did. The extra soles must be bought separately and cost about $30 a piece, but the shoes still use the same heels that the old SST's did.

https://www.dexterbowling.com/the9.aspx


Brunswick makes a comparable shoe (Designed by Calloway) that has become very popular called the Brunswick TPU-X. In fact I just got some to replace my Dexter SST 7's.

http://www.bowlwithbrunswick.com/shoes/detail/tpu-x/

2015 Brunswick Shoe Catalog (more info in this)
http://bowlerssupply.com/pdf/upload/2015%20Brunswick%20shoe%20Catalog.pdf

[Timmyb]

Do the 9's come with any soles? It looks like the 8's come with a variety. If I'm going to spend a bunch extra, you'd think they'd come with at least the most popular option.

[epiepenburg]

Do the 9's come with any soles? It looks like the 8's come with a variety. If I'm going to spend a bunch extra, you'd think they'd come with at least the most popular option.

They don't come with the same variety that the sst8's came with. As mentioned above the soles are also more expensive, and the older Dexter soles will not work with the 9's

[bowl1820]

Do the 9's come with any soles? It looks like the 8's come with a variety. If I'm going to spend a bunch extra, you'd think they'd come with at least the most popular option.

Yes, They come with a slide and traction sole and slide and brake heel on the shoes. No extra ones though.
(On Shoe (Removable): THS7 Slide Pad, H5 ST, THT2 Traction Pad, H2 UB )

[Blacksox1]

I love my new TPU-X shoes (159$). Comfy and zero break-in time.

[Timmyb]

So I finally snapped my garter and went for THE 9's. Very comfortable right out of the box. I took a couple of peoples advice, and ordered a #8 slide sole right away, and I was glad I did. The #7 that comes with the shoe is just a hair tacky. I could change to adapt, but why, when the #8 was absolutely perfect. My only issue is a silly one. I got very used to hearing the "squeak squeak" of my SST 4's over the past 16 years. Not hearing that when I tried them today threw me off for a bit!