Bowling shoes are footwear items specifically designed for bowling. They have rubber soles to prevent slipping. Typically rented in bowling alleys, bowling shoes have a design that falls somewhere between athletic shoes and regular dress shoes.

Bowling shoes are important for a good bowling performance. You can rent them from your favorite bowling alley, but if you are a professional player in bowling or if you play rather too often, you might as well consider buying your own pair to cut down on regular bowling shoe rental expenses. This will also ensure that you will get the perfect fit and avoid foot problems such as fungal and skin diseases because of sharing bowling shoes with people you do not know.

Types of bowling shoes

Generally, there are two types of bowling shoes according to style: athletic bowling shoes and performance bowling shoes. Athletic bowling shoes are basically athletic shoes designed for bowling. With sliding soles and comfortable feel, athletic bowling shoes are good for beginners and bowlers who play about once every week or less. Performance bowling shoes, on the other hand, are common among professional bowlers. Also called “competitive bowling shoes,” performance bowling shoes are designed to help improve a bowler’s performance.

Unlike the athletic bowling shoes, wherein both shoes in a pair are good for sliding, the shoes in a pair of performance bowling shoes have different soles: one shoe has a sole that’s good for sliding and the other has a sole that’s good for braking.

Because of this unique feature, there are specially-made performance bowling shoes for left-handed and right-handed bowlers. The braking shoe is supposed to be on the same side as the hand used for bowling. The traction or grip comes from the braking shoe, while easy delivery is made possible by the sliding shoe. The sole of the braking shoe is usually made of rubber, which provides good friction and traction.

Choosing bowling shoes

When choosing bowling shoes, it is important that you choose a pair that has the right fit. Also, go for those that provide extra cushioning and comfort with cushioned insoles and padded collar and linings. Not only are they comfortable, but they also add to stability of your feet, thereby, improving your balance and performance. You can also choose bowling shoes that have breathable vamps or uppers for added coolness and comfort. Uncomfortable shoes would only affect your performance negatively.