Guide to the Best Bowling Shoes in 2023

If you are a regular bowler, it’s always a good idea to have your pair of bowling shoes.

While you can always rent bowling shoes in most bowling alleys, having the right pair for your individual need and preference is one way to step up your game.

Don’t risk your game with ill-fitting shoes, invest in the best bowling shoes.

For bowlers, choosing the right bowling shoes can be tricky. It can be overwhelming when you look at the various choices in terms of styles, brands, and models that are currently flooding the market.

To help you narrow down your choices, here’s a list of the best bowling shoes in 2023.

Best Bowling Shoes for a Perfect Slide

Brunswick Vapor Bowling Shoe

The Brunswick Vapor Bowling Shoes are designed to offer you a competent and efficient bowling experience.

Whether you’re in the professional league looking to maximize your game or a beginner bowler who wants stylish shoes, these shoes are worth trying out.

Featuring performance synthetic uppers that are soft and strong, the Vapor allows you to bowl all day long without breaking a sweat.

And since they’re so lightweight, you’ll be able to accelerate, stop, pivot, and turn quickly without compromising on stability or comfort.

The synthetic uppers are soft yet supportive, while the full-length lace closures provide a snug fit that promotes great foot contact with the surface.

The soft, lightweight microfiber slide soles are engineered for ultimate comfort and slide control. This allows your feet to slide naturally on the surface so you can have more control of your footing with no slickness.

They also feature an extra-light molded EVA outsole that provides maximum flexibility on oily or slick bowling lanes.

Bowlers can rely on the Brunswick Vapor Bowling Shoe to give them a sure footing on the lanes, especially when they play in slippery conditions. However, others have noted that the outsole tends to leave some marks on the lanes.

KR Strikeforce Flyer Mesh Bowling Shoes

The KR Strikeforce Flyer Mesh Bowling Shoes are perfect for casual and competitive bowlers at a price that won’t break the bank.

The upper is crafted from breathable mesh materials for comfort during extended wear.

The mesh upper allows air to pass through while keeping your feet cool and comfortable throughout your entire game. This makes it more breathable and lighter than traditional athletic shoes giving you a more responsive feel.

It also features a fully textile lining and a lightly padded collar that provides a gentle fit around the ankle, sending less pressure down through the foot for all-day comfort.

These low-profile shoes also feature a white microfiber slide pad on both shoes with FlexSlide Technology, which provides a smoother transition to reduce stress on your feet as well as help achieve flexible slides on the lane.

Plus, with their Komfort-Fit construction and excellent protection on impact, they are the perfect shoes for all bowlers from beginners to professionals offering a great fit and feel.

This bowling shoe also sports a durable sole and non-marking rubber outsole for traction and stability. It provides a lightweight feel while preventing scuffs and marks on the lanes when sliding.

Even though these bowling shoes are priced reasonably, take note that they are not as durable as other high-quality bowling shoes on the market.

Dexter Turbo II Wide Width Bowling Shoes

Instantly increase your game by wearing these Dexter Turbo II Wide Width Bowling Shoes and enjoy the natural, classic look.

They provide great shock absorption, consistent traction, and a lightweight feel which helps reduce foot fatigue. The best part is that these shoes can accommodate bowlers with wide feet.

With a durable fabric suede lining, these shoes provide comfort and support while bowling. The uppers are made from a durable synthetic leather material that is lightweight but provides protection and support for the foot on the lane.

This bowling shoe also has a cushioned footbed with a brushed nylon fabric top that provides a luxurious feel underfoot. It’s durable enough for bowling, yet soft enough to ensure all-day wear.

Another thing that bowlers love about these shoes is the S6 microfiber sliding soles on both shoes.

 This help reduces pronation and enables greater toe-off leverage while providing enhanced support, comfort, and performance.

In addition, it features a soft, flexible outsole with raised rubber heel support to provide maximum bowling traction while delivering reduced slip resistance.

The Dexter Turbo II Bowling Shoes are more on the heavier and thicker side so keep that in mind as this shoe is not the lightest.

These shoes are also a solid option for a wide foot so these may not be an ideal choice if you have narrow feet.

BSI Men’s Basic Bowling Shoes

Bordering on being basic, the BSI Men’s Basic Bowling Shoes are a classic choice for beginners and experienced bowlers alike.

These shoes are the perfect balance between affordability and quality. They have good traction, flexibility, support, comfort, and protection— just what you need from a bowling shoe.

The synthetic leather upper is long-lasting and highly resistant to stretching, cracking, and breakdown. . It also has good flexibility, support, and durability giving you the benefits of leather without the premium price of traditional bowling shoes.

Additionally, an extra sock liner is incorporated to give you a plush feel at every step.

This bowling shoe features a microfiber sliding sole that is lightweight and excellent for bowlers looking for increased stability and control. Moreover, it provides traction to help prevent slips and trips during your game.

Due to the lightweight durable rubber outsole of these shoes, they give you traction and secured footing on any lane as well as a responsive feel enabling you to slide and move with ease.

The BSI Basic Bowling shoes are not just comfortable, they also sport a sneaker-like design and look great on the alley. However, they are not very durable and tend to wear off quickly.

Brunswick Karma Ladies Bowling Shoe

The Brunswick Karma is a stylish and supportive ladies bowling shoe that’s made for optimum performance on the lanes. It is one of the most popular shoes for women bowlers, combining comfort and style.

A performance mesh upper creates a lightweight shoe that is extremely comfortable while providing excellent support and comfort so you can focus on your game.

The upper allows your feet to breathe, while the foam-padded collar and tongue add support and protection around the ankles to reduce stress and irritation.

You will love the lightweight and responsive performance of the microfiber slide sole placed on both shoes on this model which gives you maximum slide control and stability.

This bowling shoe also features a lightweight rubber outsole that provides traction and stability in every stride while being soft and highly responsive.

A lot of ladies found the Brunswick Karma Ladies Bowling Shoe to be super cute. The only thing is that they can be a little too thin which can compromise the overall durability and longevity of the shoes.

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Bowling Shoes

Comfort

When shopping for a new pair of bowling shoes, you want to make sure the shoe fits comfortably.

To ensure comfort, make sure that you are looking at the inner sole material of the shoe.

The inner sole is very important no matter what type of shoe you are buying. In the case of bowling shoes, looking at the inner sole becomes even more crucial.

It should be made with good quality materials preferably with sufficient padding so you can enjoy the game for a long time. It also gives you a snug fit so you can move with ease and confidence as well as enhanced stability and support.

Look for well-padded lining and collars for additional comfort. Your bowling shoes should also be breathable and lightweight enough so you don’t end up with sweaty and tired feet.

Bowling shoes made with mesh or synthetic uppers are ideal as they are known to be breathable materials.

They allow your feet to breathe and encourage airflow so your feet can stay dry and comfortable no matter how long you play.

Traction

The smooth gliding of your bowling shoe is the first component of a strong game. This is because sliding is necessary when stepping up to the line and rolling the ball.

You need a shoe that will enable you to slide on the lane but also provide a good amount of traction to prevent yourself from slipping when rolling the ball on the oily and slick lane.

This is why the outsole of your bowling shoe should be primarily made of rubber or be made of rubber-based materials.

Rubber can resist wear and lets you slide smoothly while providing grip on the surface.

Also, stay away from outsoles that are too gummy as this can prevent you from sliding and gliding and can even cause scuff marks on the floor.

This will start to happen when there’s an excess amount of sticky rubber around the bottom of the sole.

FAQs on Best Bowling Ball Shoes

Final Words

You can tell the difference between a shoe designed for bowlers and one that’s made for something else.

When you look for a bowling shoe, make sure it holds up to all the demands of your sport, and find a shoe that enhances your competitive edge.

It is no longer a question of if you should own bowling shoes. Although finding the right pair of bowling shoes can be a minefield, I hope this article has made finding the right bowling shoes easier for you.