Bowling is a sport that requires deliberate precision, strategy, and body balance. A player’s approach (running up before releasing the ball) is as important as it is to release the ball at a proper angle and trajectory. A casual pair of shoes can catch you off balance during a run-up and lead to injuries. They will also create ugly skid-marks on the wooden lane. A proper pair of bowling shoes are slick. They provide smoother motion and better control for your body-balance.
If bowling is something you are considering to get into then it is suggested, you invest in the proper footwear that will elevate your game to another level. In order to purchase the proper pair of bowling shoes, you need to consider the following features.
A removable insole that can allow you to play for long periods and in comfort. Of course, the size also has to be right with a shoe that fits snugly around your foot. The right amount of support is always a plus, for which the shoe should be breathable and offer stability to the foot. You also need to figure if the shoe is designed as right-handed, left-handed, or a universal side sole (which can be used by both left-handed and right-handed players).
In this article, I’ve highlighted five of the best bowling shoes of 2024 keeping in mind the above fundamentals. Read on to find the one for you.
Best Choice Features: Leather Uppers, Sliding sole | Outsole: Microfiber outsole Last Update on 2024-04-16 using Amazon Product Advertising API1. BSI Basic #521 Bowling Shoes
Check PriceComing up at the top are the BSI Men’s #521 bowling shoes and these happen to be one of the most popular ones in the market. It all boils down to the entry-level price that manages to pack in the essential features you would need to play the beautiful game. So what makes it special?
For one, the BSI 521s are crafted with a synthetic leather upper and rubber outer sole. The construction is ergonomic and stylish, making them very comfortable to wear. An extra plush insole sock liner adds a decent amount of cushioning that will reduce pressure on your joints and ankle, allowing you the luxury of bowling for hours. The outer sole meanwhile is made with microfiber which makes sliding easier on the court. In fact, the level of smoothness will be very easy and allow fluid mobility to your strides.
One major plus is also the lightweight of the shoes which will give you some extra agility and airiness when you’re making your run up the aisle.
Because the BSI 521s are designed somewhat similar to a sneaker, they’ll also look pretty cool as a casual shoe. But with all that said, the durability of the shoe is not its best aspect as a period of extensive and rigorous create signs of wear and tear.
However, for anyone who is looking to purchase a reliable pair of shoes without breaking the bank, the BSI Men’s 521 is the ideal pick of the bunch.
Comfortable. Bought for the Kid’s Bowl Free and worked great the first time they were worn, saves you from having to put your foot in a shoe that many other stinky feet have been in, which is nice. Not the most attractive things, but bowling shoes rarely are…just look like generic black tennis shoes. 🙂 Fit true to size. They have a large sliding area on the bottom if you are a more professional bowler who slides. Recommend…great price.
Used them 3 or 4 times now. They are fine. Im a size 9 1/2-10 – but I need a wide because of Morton’s Neuroma in my right foot. Size 10 was just a bit snug. 10 1/2 seems to be ok. No problem with sticking. So far so good.
Premium Choice Features: Synthetic Construction, FlexSide Technology | Outsole: Cushioned Outsole Last Update on 2024-04-16 using Amazon Product Advertising API2. KR Strikeforce Flyer Bowling Shoes
The Strikeforce Flyer is a stylish quality bowling shoe that comes in a vast array of vibrant colors that you can choose from to best represent your style. The shoe is constructed for maximum comfort with an upper composed of handcrafted synthetic leather. It is light in weight which allows you to bowl for longer periods of time without getting fatigued.
The Strikeforce integrates a cutting-edge FlexSide technology that offers an optimal sliding experience for your soles. Exhibiting ergonomic comfort when you make a run down the lanes. The outsoles are supple and feature soft cushioning which elevates the comfort level of these shoes to a premium level.
Design-wise I found the shoes to be a little wide which I think might be a niggling issue for players with narrower feet. I also think the synthetic materials on the upper take away the durability of the shoes. Those who play for extended periods of time will note signs of wear.
With that said, however, if you want to take bowling seriously and want the footwear to help you perform optimally, very few shoes would rival the Strikeforce Flyers.
I recently got back into bowling and decided I should look the part. These were the first shoes I saw that looked like me. Bowling is so much smoother knowing your feet are only in shoes 3 million other people haven’t already been in. Comfy, durable, and built solid. So far, so good!
They are comfortable, inexpensive, and well worth the purchase.
Bronze Medal Features: Performance Enhancing Construction, FlexSide Technology | Outsole: EVA Outsole Last Update on 2024-04-16 using Amazon Product Advertising API3. Brunswick Vapor Men's Bowling Shoes
Brunswick is a renowned brand that deals specifically in bowling gear and accessories so it should be of no surprise then that they have a line of top-quality bowling shoes for the enthusiast out there. For over a century, Brunswick has become synonymous with being a distributor dealing exclusively within the bowling industry. And one of their most popular shoes is the affordable and reliable Brunswick Vapor.
These shoes are designed to give you a precision-based bowling experience. The uppers are made of flexible and performance-enhancing leather. If you wear the right size you’ll notice the nice, snug-fitting of the shoe. The universal side soles integrate a FlexSide technology that also provides ample foot comfort. The durability of the material is reliable enough to be long-lasting. Also featured is a light EVA outsole that gives a gentle cushioning effect for the underside of the foot.
If I had one problem, it was with the slide factor of the soles. They didn’t provide me with the best sliding and I occasionally had to powder the soles of my shoe to get the extra punch. Still, that alone isn’t a deal-breaker.
For the nominal price tag, the Brunswick Vapor does ensure a very good fit and premium comfort. It also helps that the shoe looks sleek and stylish as a sneaker too.
These shoes are beautiful! They are very light and are very comfortable. My feet are wide (I can’t wear Converses/Nike and Adidas classics) and these fit very well. The color scheme and build are very nicely done! I wear size 10 shoes and these fit very well and not tight.
Just getting into bowling. Reward myself when I have a good day. Started with these shoes and am very pleased. Snug fit, I adjust with my sock thickness. Comfortable from day one. Better than rental shoes. If I wear them out I’d buy again, unless my game gets really good then I would spend more. With a goal of a bag and a ball next.
The Dark Horse Features: Cotton Canvas Upper, Lightweight Comfort | Outsole: Rubber Outsole Last Update on 2024-04-16 using Amazon Product Advertising API4. Storm Gust Bowling Shoes
The Storm Gust is one of the most stylish models of shoes in all of the bowling with a sleek upper construction and savvy skateboard design. The upper is made of cool and breathable cotton that welcomes air circulation which is a bonus considering how other bowling shoes in the same price range are made of stuffy leather. The tight knitting of the canvas also makes the Storm Gust a pretty durable shoe.
The slide sole found on the pair makes them universal bowling shoes that also integrating cleverly constructed SlideRite pads for added cushioning. A removable EVA footbed can be found in the insoles that add a cushioned mechanism for the foot. However, in trying out many different bowling shoes I must admit that the Storm Gust feel stiffer on the inside which doesn’t make them as comfortable as they appear to be.
The shoe is designed with a wider toe box that gets narrower around the middle. I would also warn any potential buyer to order sizes that are half an inch longer than your actual size. If you have wider feet, you’d be better off exploring alternate options.
However, if you want to hit a strike while also looking pretty darn stylish in the process, the Storm Gusts are the ones that’ll make you look striking.
Got a pair for my husband. he loves them. Canvas material instead of the typical stiff faux leather used for bowling shoes. Makes the shoes very comfortable. He usually wears 10.5 but got 10 and they fit perfect.
Great shoes at a reasonable price.
Super Underrated Features: Synthetic Construction, Sliding Sole | Outsole: Microfiber Outsoles Last Update on 2024-04-16 using Amazon Product Advertising API5. Dexter Turbo II Bowling Shoes
Next up is Dexter Turbo II Wide Width Bowling Shoe that makes its case known as a formidable pair of bowling shoes to own. Constructed of synthetic leather, the Turbo II features a low-profile design that utilizes comfortable internal padding. The design is built to enhance your sporting performance. The leather material feels durable and you can make long-term use of them.
The heel on the Turbo II is elevated and has a smooth sliding capability which will provide you a more fluid experience as you make your run to deliver the ball. The higher heel may be suitable for shorter players in their run-ups but taller players will feel the strain and discomfort.
Of course, as it says in the complete name, the shoe is designed for wide-footed people so that’s an obvious plus for those with broader feet but players whose own foot shapes are narrower will have to look for a different shoe that suits their needs better.
However, the price-tag itself justifies a lot of the shortcomings, as this is a shoe with decent comfort and an ergonomic design that also looks stylish as footwear.
For newcomers to the world of bowling who want to seriously improve their game, the Dexter Turbo II will be the reliable bowling shoe!
Excellent bowling shoes! They are so roomy and comfortable, that I wish Dexter made a version for outside of the bowling alley. Since switching to these shoes from the bowling alley rentals, my average has gone up a whopping twenty pins! If you have wide feet and are in need of fantastically comfortable bowling shoes, I cannot recommend these enough.
Good overall shoe at a pretty good value. My only concern is that they fit a little small. I would suggest a 1/2 size larger than what if wear (if possible). I typically wear a size 13 shoe which allows my feet a little room. I ordered a 13 and even though they fit, they are a little snug.
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