Shoes?

[rv driver]

Can anybody here tell me anything about a comparison between Dexter and Etonic? I have a small foot (Usually wear a 7.5 C -- and my foot is thin). I have a hard time finding street shoes that fit well, let alone specialty shoes. I'm pretty trepidatious about buying shoes on the net untried, so does anyone know about the general characteristics of these two brands? I've heard that Dexter runs large, and that Etonic runs narrow. Is that particularly true? If so, I think I need to lean more toward Etonic. Thoughts?

[circlecity]

I've never worn either of the brands mentioned but it sounds like you need to visit a pro shop and try on a bunch of shoes.

[rv driver]

Problem is, my shop doesn't carry that many shoes in stock... Was hoping to get a good pair on BB.com. At least they have a return guarantee.

[vdubtx]

Think it's only the newer Dexters that run large. I have had my pair of sst6 Dexter's for about 5/6 years now and are just now starting to show their wear. The plant foot sole is starting to lose it's tread. May need a new pair for myself soon. Will go with Dexter again since I have an assortment of interchangeable soles and heels already.

[Amyers]

My last pair of dexters lasted over 20 years now I paid good money for them about 90 dollars then. I just bought a new pair of dexter SST-8 this year and love them but I have a wide foot. All I can tell you is my dexters have been great. I bought a pair of brunswicks for the wife that were crap didn't pay much for them though. The kids have Etonics they've been okay so far but can't really tell much because they are less than a year old too.

[rv driver]

I visited the pro shop just to see what they had in stock (mostly SSTs -- one really low-end model, and only a couple Etonics), and the guy told me that he'd heard Etonic was out of the bowling market. He said that they'd lost their tournament sanctioning. The Etonics I tried on were VERY narrow -- in fact, they pinched my foot -- and I have a narrow foot. So I'm looking at Dexter exclusively now. Here's a question: Unless you get the ones with the interchangeable soles/heels, what's the real difference between universal shoes and RH/LH shoes performance-wise?

[vdubtx]

For the RH/LH shoes, the benefit is having a good rubber sole for your pushaway and traction on your approach. Otherwise you will be slipping with both feet having leather soles with the universals.

[Amyers]

Shoes last a long time for most people longer than most balls. Don't be afraid to invest a little money in them. I'm not saying you have to buy the most expensive but it's not somewhere you really want to scrimp.

[Amyers]

I visited the pro shop just to see what they had in stock (mostly SSTs -- one really low-end model, and only a couple Etonics), and the guy told me that he'd heard Etonic was out of the bowling market. He said that they'd lost their tournament sanctioning. The Etonics I tried on were VERY narrow -- in fact, they pinched my foot -- and I have a narrow foot. So I'm looking at Dexter exclusively now. Here's a question: Unless you get the ones with the interchangeable soles/heels, what's the real difference between universal shoes and RH/LH shoes performance-wise?

By the way just because you make a thousand post about your search for shoes I don't think bowling boards.com is going to give you a pair of shoes. Their is no weekly shoe contest. We may have created a monster here. Oh great now I'm probably giving him ideas.

[Hampe]

For the RH/LH shoes, the benefit is having a good rubber sole for your pushaway and traction on your approach. Otherwise you will be slipping with both feet having leather soles with the universals.

Yea I definitely DO NOT recommend the universal ones. The shoes I bought for my wife are universal, and I'm already looking for a new pair .

If you are a tournament bowler that bowls in new houses quite regularly (or plan to in the future), I would definitely recommend getting shoes with the exchangeable soles. I just recently made the switch this year, and already had times where they saved my butt (where I previously would have had trouble with my old shoes).

If you only play in 1-2 centers 95% of the time, you can just get the LH/RH ones.....WAY cheaper.