Higher-level bowling shoes are a bowler’s best friend. Whether they’re entry-level options or slide shoe options made for professionals, the best bowling shoes turn bowling alleys into playgrounds for dedicated players.
Whereas regular shoes feel sticky and unnatural in a bowling lane approach area, the best bowling shoes offer a unique level of slide and control that’s essential to increasing a bowler’s overall scoring average. Bowling alley owners may love it when you plop down a few extra dollars for worn-out rental shoes, but those won’t get the job done in the long term.
You need comfortable shoes with great features like a padded collar and tongue system, a durable synthetic leather upper construction, interchangeable heels, textile inner sole linings, and a non-marking rubber outsole. You need a sliding shoe that allows you to rocket forward into your shot before stopping on a dime.
You need the Top 7 Bowling Shoes For Sliding In 2022.
The 7 Best Bowling Shoes For Sliding In 2022
7) Brunswick Karma Ladies Bowling Shoes
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Available in a more conservative gray tone or a bright and bubbly blue chameleon pattern, Brunswick Karma Ladies Bowling Shoes are the right shoes for female bowlers of all skill levels. The performance mesh uppers will appease even professional-level bowlers, and the lightweight rubber outsole takes a licking and keeps on ticking. And if you have wide feet, just order them a half-size up and you’ll be fine!
Pros
- It’s a durable bowling shoe at an affordable price point.
- The chameleon blue option will turn some heads.
- The rubber outsole is better than what’s included with some high-performance bowling shoes.
Cons
- The arch support is poor.
- The overall sliding capacity could be better.
6) Dexter Kerrie Bowling Shoes
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Fabric-lined with a padded tongue and collar combo, Dexter Kerrie Women’s Bowling Shoes don’t require the same break-in period as some other offerings on this list. Many bowling shoes claim to be lightweight and refreshing on your feet, but these Dexter bowling shoes live up to the billing! And the gray hashed pattern with the pops of purple is a guaranteed hit at bowling clubs anywhere you go.
Pros
- It’s a good pair of women’s bowling shoes for fashion-forward individuals.
- Compared to rental bowling shoes, these fit and feel like a dream!
- The heels don’t require a long breaking-in period.
Cons
- They might be a bit too narrow for wide feet.
- The slide is solid but not the best.
5) Dexter SST8 Men’s Bowling Shoes
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When you’re buying bowling shoes, just know that the Dexter logo promises quality. They’re also suitable for both left-handed and right-handed bowlers looking for their own pair of high-performance bowling kicks. Thanks to the interchangeable rubber soles, you can modify your slide and stop to your liking. And replaceable traction on your non-slide shoe will allow you to expand your bowling style without worrying about ruining your investment.
Pros
- The full-grain leather uppers put inferior synthetic leather options out to pasture.
- The interchangeable soles are easy to work with and so very customizable.
- They’re extremely durable and are built with moving parts to protect the core of the bowling shoes.
Cons
- They’re a bit on the expensive end.
- While they’re high-performance bowling shoes, they’re a little flat aesthetically.
4) Storm Gust Bowling Shoes
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Other bowling shoes look like bowling shoes. Storm Gust Shoes look like skating shoes while still putting rental shoes to shame. They’re not as feature-heavy as some of the professional bowling shoes on our list, but they look great and feel even better on long league nights. Isn’t that what most of us are looking for from a pair of bowling shoes? We love the padded collar too and the slide functionality is better than advertised.
Pros
- They’re stylish bowling shoes that your friends will be asking about.
- The foam-padded collar feels great around your ankles.
- They offer more slide and stopping control than you’d think at first glance.
Cons
- Performance-wise, they’re lacking in a few areas.
- They require a long breaking-in period due to the canvas construction.
3) BSI Classic Women’s Bowling Shoes
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If you’re a woman looking for your own shoes and looking for a balance of classic bowling shoe style and comfort, BSI Classic Women’s Bowling Shoes are one of your best bets. Designed for lefties and righties alike, these timeless kicks feature a contoured midsole that’s lightweight and promotes solid approach footwork. We also love the gorgeous purple-and-black design scheme and how they draw attention even in the middle of a crowded bowling alley.
Pros
- The contoured midsoles are godsends for women with supination or pronation problems.
- These shoes last for what seems like forever without scuffing, cracking, or losing their shape.
- We adore the update of classic bowling shoe style on display here.
Cons
- They’re a bit rigid at first and require extensive breaking in.
- They aren’t made for wider feet, so keep that in mind.
2) Pyramid HPX High-Performance Men’s Bowling Shoes
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If you’re looking for a mid-level bowling shoe that provides professional performance while also being kind to beginners, Pyramid HPX High-Performance Men’s Bowling Shoes are your ticket to bowling alley dominance. The real standout feature here is their full-grain leather construction which means less breaking in and more comfiness at the alleys. And thanks to biomechanical contouring, they’ll feel like a natural extension of your feet when you’re sliding to the foul line.
Pros
- The full-grain leather is soft, supple, and strong.
- Biomechanical contouring works with your foot’s shape to increase stability and decrease footwork errors.
- You can use other bowling shoe brand soles to replace the stock soles if you so desire.
Cons
- They’re much pricier than budget bowling shoes on this list.
- You’ll need to diligently measure your feet before picking your pair.
1) Dexter Pro-Am Men’s Bowling Shoes
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Our favorite pair of entry-level bowling shoes out there right now, Dexter Pro-Am Men’s Bowling Shoes are the third and final pair of Dexter bowling shoes on our countdown. We prefer them to other cheaper options such as the BSI Men’s Basic 521 Series because they offer so much for so little money. This includes microfiber slide soles, raised heels for smart slide control and extra height, and a simple black design that revels in its athletic shoe simplicity.
Pros
- You get a ton of advanced bowling shoe features for a very affordable price.
- The microfiber slide soles are more than just adequate. They’re great!
- Dexter has created the ultimate entry-level shoe that also works for budget-conscious experts.
Cons
- The shoes run extremely small, so you may want to order them a full size above your normal number.
- The synthetic leather construction isn’t going to last as long as full-grain leather high-performance offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bowling shoes supposed to slide?
The soles of the top bowling shoes are calibrated perfectly for use at a bowling alley. When wearing bowling shoes, your soles should be slick and your heels should be more textured. Whether you’re sporting advanced bowling shoes, rental bowling shoes, or stylish bowling shoes from the list above, proper shoes for the sport allow you to slide forward on the pads of your feet. Sliding soles on the most advanced bowling shoes are reinforced to meet the challenge of constant slipping and friction.
A good pair of bowling shoes allow you to get more momentum behind your bowling ball thanks to proper footwork and technique. Normal rental shoes and athletic shoes can fall short in this area, so make sure you’re wearing shoes to the lanes that aid your shot and push it to new heights.
How do I stop my bowling shoes from sliding?
When you wear bowling shoes, whether they’re athletic bowling shoes or other bowling shoes in the marketplace, you’ll notice that the heels are rubber and are a bit rougher than usual. The best bowling shoe brands fashion heels that function like brakes, allowing you to shift your weight on a dime and stop your momentum in a slick approach area. Normal shoes aren’t built like this. Heck, it’s a problem when you’re renting bowling shoes that have been used and abused.
But, the best professional bowling shoes (and even the best entry-level bowling shoes) do rubber heels right. A good rubber heel can help a casual bowler find their mark and get their shot in order.
Closing Thoughts
From lightweight bowling shoes to heavier options with interchangeable soles, the market is practically flooded with bowling shoe options for your to choose from. Whether you simply want comfortable bowling shoes for repeated use or performance bowling shoes made for professionals, the list above is practically a compendium of the best universal bowling shoes in the business today. If you’re a serious bowler and you want to make the most of your footwear, the right bowling shoes for you are waiting for you somewhere on our countdown.
