If you look in the right places you can usually find a sale or a great blowout deal for last year’s models.
Current Price of Bowling Shoe Brands
While bowling shoes can be rented for a relatively low cost, the long-term investment of buying bowling shoes often makes more financial sense. For example, many bowling shoe brands are available at affordable price points, making them a smart choice for those looking to save money on bowling equipment.
Just a Couple of Shoes at Varying Price Ranges
Here are some bowling shoes that many bowlers love. If you are looking for a pair of bowling shoes you really can’t go wrong with any of the following shoes.
BSI Men’s Sport Bowling Shoe
The lightweight, durable rubber outsole is perfect for action leather uppers. The common sliding sole is made of microfiber for a smoother slide. The new smooth slide sole makes it easy to move around.
Current Price: $39.68
3G Unisex-Adult – Blue n Black
The 3G company has come out with a new shoe that is black and blue. It can be worn by men or women and it includes the standard universal slide sole. Be sure to check the size chart before you purchase the shoes to make sure you are getting the right size. These shoes can be worn by both men and women and they are made of synthetic leather.
Current Price: $44.95 – $49.95
Dexter Women’s Kristen
The DEX-LITE EVA outsole is soft and durable, perfect for any activity. The man-made upper is also both soft and tough, able to weather any storm. With a defined rubber horseshoe heel, this shoe will help improve your grip no matter the surface. Finally, the improved slide-rite microfiber sole guarantees that you’ll have better traction than ever before – on both shoes!
Current Price: $50.88 – $59.95
KR Strikeforce Maui Girls Youth Bowling Shoe
With a lightweight design, this shoe is perfect for youth bowlers whether they are right or left-handed. The soft breathable upper ensures comfort even during long games. Additionally, the Komfort-Fit construction provides added support and stability.
Current Price: $47.49 – $52.95
3G Unisex-Adult Bowling Shoes – White n Black
The new unisex black 3G shoe is a synthetic leather constructed universal slide sole that can be worn by both men and women. Be sure to check the size chart for proper sizing before purchasing.
Current Price: $48.67 – $51.26
KR Strikeforce Aviator Black/Blue Men’s Bowling Shoe with FlexSlide Technology for a Controllable Slide for Left or Right-Handed Bowlers
The upper of the Aviator shoes are made from a soft, lightweight, and breathable material. The Bubble Rubber CMEVA outsole provides cushioning and durability, while the raised rubber heel pod adds stability. Each shoe comes with a #8 white microfiber slide pad for comfort and FlexSlide TechnologyTM for protection against wear-and-tear. Lastly, the open cell foam deluxe foot bed ensures maximum comfort for all-day wear. These shoes are also 40% lighter than comparable rubber outsoles on the market!
Current Price: $60.02 – $64.95
KR Strikeforce Aviator Grey Wide Width Size 12 Men’s Athletic Style Bowling Shoes with FlexSlide Technology for Right or Left-Handed Bowlers (M-074)
The upper is made of a soft, lightweight, breathable knit material. The outsole is Bubble Rubber CMEVA with a raised rubber heel pad for stability. For maximum comfort, there is an open cell foam deluxe footbed.
Current Price: $64.93
KR Strikeforce Men’s Galaxy Bowling Shoe with FlexSlide Technology
These are my favorites. Stay tuned for a demo when I get my own pair.
The elegant two-tone fading of the mesh upper combined with the lace-up design provides style and Komfort-Fit Construction. The durable Bubble Rubber outsole is equipped with raised rubber heel pad for stability when bowling. Last but not least, there is an #8 white microfiber slide pad on both shoes that allows for smooth movement across the lane while providing maximum comfort thanks to the open cell foam deluxe footbed.
Current Price: $67.50 – $77.00
Brunswick Slingshot Black/White Men’s Size
These shoes will provide a controlled slide with their raised rubber heel and pure microfiber sole on both sides. They are easy to put on and take off with no lace fastening system, making them perfect for athletes who need quick access to their shoes.
Current Price: $72.95 – $74.98
KR Strikeforce Rage Red High-Performance Bowling Shoe with Interchangeable Soles & Heels
The rubber sole provides rock-solid stability, and the jacquard upper is both comfortable and durable. The lace-up closure with Komfort-Fit construction ensures a secure fit, while the KR engineered KRystalized rubber outsole provides excellent traction. The STA-DRY Open Mesh tongue maximizes breathability, and the biomechanically contoured design promotes ultimate comfort and performance.
Current Price: $169.95
KR Strikeforce Motiv Bowling Propel Black/Carbon/Orange Right Hand Wide High-Performance Men’s Bowling Shoe
The features of these shoes include a soft and durable upper made from microfiber and carbon fiber polyurethane, an open mesh tongue and collar for increased breathability, new TRI-SOLE outsole technology with an interchangeable slide pad and heel, a biomechanically engineered design for ultimate comfort and performance, and an Ortholite 3D Deluxe Insole.
Current Price: $219.95 – $221.73
KR KR Strikeforce Maverick FT White/Blue/Black Right Hand High-Performance Men’s Bowling Shoe with Fast Twist Lacing System
The 100% microfiber fabric imported from overseas ensures a light, comfortable shoe that won’t weigh you down as you bowl. The Fast Twist Lacing System provides a snug, custom fit for any foot size. And the Sta-Dry open mesh tongue allows increased breathability so your feet don’t overheat during long games.
Current Price: $219.95
KR Strikeforce Maverick FT Fast Twist Lace System Black/Cobalt Performance Bowling Shoe Available in Right Hand Medium & Wide Widths
The upper is made of premium quality, woven jacquard fabric that is both comfortable and durable. The lace-up closure has Komfort-Fit construction for a better fit, and the design is biomechanically contoured for ultimate comfort and performance.
Current Price: $221.57 – $317.74
If you end up snagging a pair of any of those, let us know in the comments how they feel and perform.
Can you bring your own bowling shoes?
You can buy your own bowling shoes and bring them to the alley to wear while you are bowling. You should wait until you get to the bowling alley to put them on though or you will likely damage the soles.
Rental Shoes Vs Owning Your Own Pair
Bowling shoes are essential for any serious bowling enthusiast. Whether you are renting or buying bowling shoes, there are a number of pros and cons to consider when choosing the right pair of shoes for your game.
When it comes to comfort and performance, bowling shoes that you buy will typically outperform rental bowling shoes. For example, high-quality bowling shoes are designed to provide the best possible traction and support while bowling, which helps you get better and more consistent results. In addition, bowling shoes that are purchased tend to be made from high-quality materials, making them much more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
If you are serious about bowling and want to improve your game, it is definitely worth investing in your own bowling shoes. Whether you buy a brand-new pair or purchase a used set of bowling shoes, the extra comfort and performance will help you become a better and more confident bowler.
So why rent bowling shoes when you can buy them instead? First, we need to answer some questions about our bowling habits and whether buying our own pair of shoes is worth it.
How Often do You Bowl?
If you bowl once or twice a year, then renting bowling shoes may be the best option for you. However, if you are a more serious bowler and regularly hit the lanes, it is likely that buying your own bowling shoes will provide better performance and comfort over time and save you money.
If you do bowl a lot you may want to buy a pair of shoes that fits into the higher price range. These types of shoes typically have interchangeable soles which allow you to completely customize your bowling experience. They will provide better traction, comfort, and support than the bowling shoes that you rent.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent Bowling Shoes?
The typical rented pair of bowling shoes that you get from the alley will cost you around $4 per session. If you like to go bowling on a regular basis, you may want to consider buying your own bowling shoes.
The Advantages of Owning Your Own Bowling Shoes
There are several key advantages to owning your own bowling shoes, including better comfort, performance, hygiene, and cost savings. Let’s look at each of the reasons, shall we?
Price
One of the biggest benefits of owning your own bowling shoes is that it will save you money in the long run. When you rent shoes at the bowling alley, you usually have to pay per game. over time, those rental fees can really start to add up. But if you have your own shoes, you’ll only have to pay for them once. And unlike other athletic equipment, bowling shoes don’t really go through that much wear and tear, so they should last you for many years.
Avoid Wearing Shoes Other People Sweat In
We’ve all been there—you put on a pair of rented bowling shoes and discover that they’re still damp from the last person who wore them. Blech! Wearing somebody else’s sweaty shoes is just gross. But when you have your own shoes, you’ll never have to worry about that because nobody but you will be wearing them.
New Comfy Shoes Instead Of Old Worn-Out Shoes
When was the last time you went bowling and were given a brand-new pair of shoes? Chances are, it’s been a while because most bowling alleys don’t replace their rental shoes very often. As a result, the shoes can get pretty worn out and uncomfortable after a while. But if you have your own shoes, they’ll always be new and comfy. Trust us, your feet will thank you!
Same Footwear Experience Each Time vs Never Knowing What You Are Going To Get
Another advantage of owning your own bowling shoes is that you’ll always have the same footwear experience when you bowl. That’s because you’ll be using the same pair of shoes each time you go bowling. On the other hand, if you’re renting shoes each time, never knowing what type of shoe you’re going to get can make for a less-than-ideal experience. With your own shoes, however, that won’t be an issue because they’ll always fit perfectly and feel great.
Only Beginners Rent Bowling Shoes
It’s true that everyone must wear bowling shoes when they bowl. Most bowling alleys bank on the fact that beginners rent bowling shoes. But you can find affordable bowling shoes that even a casual bowler can afford.
Performance Shoes
Performance shoes have different types of soles for your left and right foot, depending on which hand you bowl with.
The sliding sole will only be on one foot, which is usually the foot opposite your bowling hand.
Because right-handed bowlers slide with their left foot on the approach, a right handed bowler’s pair will have a sliding sole on the left shoe.
Performance shoes come in both right- and left-handed models. If you’re looking for performance from your bowling game, be sure to get a model that is compatible with either one of these hands!
Performance bowling shoes cost more than entry-level bowling shoes. This is because they have many added features like padded insoles and better styles that a serious bowler is looking for.
Basics of What Performance Athletic Shoes Offer
More traction on the correct foot
- More slide on the opposite foot so you can easily slide
- Footwear Features Softer soles
- Better Style
- Confidence for a better shot
Cooler Designs
Most beginners aren’t looking for special bowling shoes. They just want to play for fun and don’t enjoy putting on footwear that another person just took off. Other bowlers just want to look cool while they are bowling.
When you buy a pair of bowling shoes you get to choose what they look like. There are tons of fun bowling shoes out there that even match your bowling ball.
Why Do They Make Bowling Shoes So Ugly?
The main reason why bowling shoes are not very attractive is so that people won’t try to steal them. The industry purposely makes the shoes ugly and identifiable so that people will be more likely to return them.
So be sure to get yourself a cool pair of stylish bowling shoes if you are concerned about that sort of thing.
Conclusion
If you’re tired of renting uncomfortable and often dirty shoes at the bowling alley, then it might be time to invest in a pair of your own. Not only will they save you money in the long run, but they’ll also provide a more comfortable and pleasant experience each time you go bowl. So why not give them a try? Your feet—and your wallet—will thank you!