Bowling shoe question

[foreverincamo]

I need to upgrade my shoes. My current pair cost $20 and are the type where either shoe can be the slide show. I want a slide shoe and one that has traction. Not worried about price this time. Replaceable soles and heels are fine. Please let me know what you use and why you like them.
Then I have to convince the wife I need them....

[1VegasBowler]

My wife thinks I need a new pair just because I've had them since the end of 2014! lol

I have a slide shoe on mine and they work just fine.

[bowl1820]

I need to upgrade my shoes. My current pair cost $20 and are the type where either shoe can be the slide show. I want a slide shoe and one that has traction. Not worried about price this time. Replaceable soles and heels are fine. Please let me know what you use and why you like them.
Then I have to convince the wife I need them....

If price is no object, you either get Dexter 9's or SST 8's or Tank's, Brunswick TPU-X's, The Bowlingball.com/Pyramid HPU-X's which are TPU-X's just rebranded and a bit cheaper.

I have TPU-X's they are about most comfortable shoes, them and the 9's and SST 8's have a issue with the grip shoe but really only if your a bad toe dragger and or if you have a real powerful push off step.

Here's a review of the TPU-X

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDh3SPQr5mo

[Huber]

Can't beat Dexters for the price! I have a pair of SST 7s my brother uses I bought new 14 years ago. I am using a pair of SST 8s that are over a few years old. They hold up like champs!

[Timmyb]

I bought a pair of Nines beginning of last fall league. Been great so far, but I don't have toe drag. 8's and the Nines are not for you if you do.

[LOUVIT]

think I'll join this thread with my question, I have a pair of Dexter's, very old probably and heavy. I need a slider on my left shoe and still cannot slide, I think the heel is the issue. What's a decent show that WILL slide. I have a bad back and when I stick I actually fall. price is an issue don't want to spend alot since I'm buying a ball also.

thanks
Lou

[bowl1820]

think I'll join this thread with my question, I have a pair of Dexter's, very old probably and heavy. I need a slider on my left shoe and still cannot slide, I think the heel is the issue. What's a decent show that WILL slide. I have a bad back and when I stick I actually fall. price is an issue don't want to spend alot since I'm buying a ball also.

thanks
Lou

Slide is kind of subjective, what's good slide for one might be too much or too little for someone else.

Given if your shoes are old, An if you can't afford shoes with interchangeable soles and heels. probably any new shoe would be a improvement, if you like Dexter's I'd just stay in that line.

One thing to remember is that the heel is the shoes brakes, if you sticking on the heel a lot. Your could be leaning back some and that is transferring your weight on to your heel when you go into your slide which will put on the "brakes".

[Amyers]

I have had the 8's for about 2.5 years now and they are good but they haven't worn as well as what my old Brunswick's did back in the 80's I figure I'll get another year or two out of them and they will be done. I bowl a lot so I really don't know if that is good or bad for modern shoes. I do have some moderate damage from toe drag and the material inside of the right back heel/ankle area has cracked which sticks out when you first put them on. They are comfortable but I did replace the soles after about a year and they are big and clunky if you're not comfortable with that you might want to look at the TPU's.

[ChuckR]

4 Months ago I went with the ST6. I slide with the heel and the inter-changeable sliders have been a blessing. I was jamming the left knee and these have helped considerably. The come with 2 combinations and more are available. We have warmed up in Vegas and the lanes are getting a little tacky, so the change to a different slide pair has shown to be a good deal.

[LOUVIT]

Slide is kind of subjective, what's good slide for one might be too much or too little for someone else.

Given if your shoes are old, An if you can't afford shoes with interchangeable soles and heels. probably any new shoe would be a improvement, if you like Dexter's I'd just stay in that line.

One thing to remember is that the heel is the shoes brakes, if you sticking on the heel a lot. Your could be leaning back some and that is transferring your weight on to your heel when you go into your slide which will put on the "brakes".

I probably do lean back. I have a bad back and do not really bend alot...

[JasonNJ]

I have the SST tanks which I got this past Nov and so far so good. Love the interchangeable soles and hell on the slide foot. Plant foot is all rubber bottom for traction. They felt very different from the cheap Dexter's I used to have, took me one or two bowling sessions to get used to them.

[SAbowler]

I got the Dexter Tanks around two years ago and have been very happy with them. Very durable and pretty comfortable. Maybe a little heavy though...

[fordman1]

I went to the Brunswick TPU's. Had the SST's the last two shoes I bought. They are stiff and heavy. Like wearing horse shoes. The new brunswicks are soft comfortable and you can use your old sst soles and heels.

[foreverincamo]

Thanks for all the help. Leaning towards the Brunswick TPU's. Now to convince the wife I need $140 for shoes........😑

[1VegasBowler]

Thanks for all the help. Leaning towards the Brunswick TPU's. Now to convince the wife I need $140 for shoes........😑

My wife is sitting here next to me reading this thread and says, there would be icebergs surviving here in Vegas during the summer months before she would say no to me getting a new pair of bowling shoes. Same would apply if I told her the same thing if she needed a new pair of shoes for anything..lol

I can't argue with her on this because she's right. While we may not have the money right away, If I say I needed new bowling shoes I can certainly get them. Maybe I would have to wait 2 or 3 months to get that $200 pair, but I'll still be able to get them.

Same goes for any new thing I would like to have for bowling. I may have to wait until August for my new ball, but I know I'll get it.

Ticky tack things like new skin, rosin bag, ball cleaner or any other minor purchase can be had right away.

I'm very lucky in that way :)

[foreverincamo]

I'm not saying she wouldn't get me the shoes. I just dropped over $300 on a ball spinner and all the Abralon pads and polishes to go with it. I have shoes now. They are cheap, ambidextrous shoes and I made my case to her stating why I need the shoes, and she gets it. I'll have them before winter league starts. Been married over 25 years. She wants me to succeed at my bowling and join the PBA50 Tour when I'm old enough.

[vdubtx]

I got the TPU's back in December and wishing I would have just gone with the Dexter 9's. The TPU's are touted as very comfortable, but I don't think they are all that great. After a long session, the arch in them bothers me. Also, they run a bit big as well.

[vdubtx]

Thanks for all the help. Leaning towards the Brunswick TPU's. Now to convince the wife I need $140 for shoes........��

Don't need $140, they are on sale for $120 for Red/Black ones at buddiesproshop.com

LINK (http://www.buddiesproshop.com/p-5512-brunswick-tpu-x-bowling-shoes-blackred-right-handed.aspx)

[1VegasBowler]

I'm not saying she wouldn't get me the shoes. I just dropped over $300 on a ball spinner and all the Abralon pads and polishes to go with it. I have shoes now. They are cheap, ambidextrous shoes and I made my case to her stating why I need the shoes, and she gets it. I'll have them before winter league starts. Been married over 25 years. She wants me to succeed at my bowling and join the PBA50 Tour when I'm old enough.

Then I apologize for taking it the wrong way, because when you said you needed to convince the wife,, I took it as she may not be all that happy with needing new bowling shoes..lol

It also appears we are in the same boat with our long term goals.

I'm going to do the Fall Classic here at the end of October, and the USBC Open Championships sometime within their time frame.

I'm also doing the 2016 Southern Nevada Senior Singles Championship in Virgin River in September & October.

While I would love to do more tournaments, the budget doesn't quite add up because it subtracts too much! lol

[foreverincamo]

I have a few years before I qualify age-wise for that tour. But it gives me a few years to get ready. Today I tried to go and practice and my car broke down on the way. Ended up getting towed. There goes my shoe money!

[1VegasBowler]

I have a few years before I qualify age-wise for that tour. But it gives me a few years to get ready. Today I tried to go and practice and my car broke down on the way. Ended up getting towed. There goes my shoe money!

Try a regular regional someday so you can get that taste. They're cheap enough (all things considered) and you can get an idea what it's going to be like.

I saw PDW, Norm Due, WRW Jr., Parker Bohn, Johnny Petraglia Sr., and a few others last week here in Vegas, and while it was fun to watch, it ain't no joke! lol

I was watching Brian Voss and he just missed a 300 with 9 on his last ball. He was up against Norm Duke and Norm's only non strike was his first frame!

[fordman1]

Nice to have dreams but don't expect to do anything against those guys. Some of the best bowlers in the world found that out. Now if you are averaging 230+ in your local league your odds are better but not much. It is a whole different animal. Try your local assn. tournament first and see how you stack up.

[foreverincamo]

fordman1, that's what I'm doing over the next two years. Right now I'm revamping my game with my coach. Just in the last month I've gained 2 mph on my strike ball without any additional effort. Just better mechanics. Once I get my new routine down, then it's off to other parts of the game, including tournaments on the local level.