by Theresa Cobb

Created on: August 30, 2009

Mention bowling shoes and most likely a picture of dirty leather shoes, blue on one side and red on the other, with worn laces, and, if you're lucky, smelling faintly of disinfectant spray will pop into your head. These are the bowling alley's rental shoes that everyone and anyone who has ever bowled, has tried on at least once. What most people don't realize is that proper fitting performance bowling shoes, like all game specific athletic shoes, can improve your form, your approach and your game.

Unlike football, baseball or track shoes, bowling shoes come in all colors and styles. Bowling shoes can look like golf shoes, sneakers, dress shoes or boat shoes, but, what makes them bowling shoes is what's deep down in their sole.

A pair of performance bowling shoes is really made up of two different shoes. The first shoe, the slider, is worn on the non-dominate foot and usually has a sole made of suede, suede-like material or brushed soft leather. Care needs to be taken that this sole never gets dirty or wet as this could seriously create a hazard for the bowler. Regular brushing with a clean, brass pinned brush keeps the sole in top condition and keeps the bowler from falling face first into the gutter. The second shoe is the braking shoe, most often dragged to brake or stop the bowler, is worn on the dominate foot. This shoe is made with a regular leather or leather-like sole, with one distinct difference. The toe on this shoe has an extra leather piece that covers only the tip of the toe of the shoe, like a little helmet. When the dominate leg is used for braking and or balance, this leather piece keeps the top edge of the shoe from being worn all the way through. Both shoes will have a heel made of specific material designed to support the bowler.

It's utmost important to know which hand you'll be holding the bowling ball in. For the normal bowler, this will be your dominate side, the side with the leather toe piece. If you hold the ball with your right hand, you'll need right-handed bowling shoes. If you hold the ball in your left hand, most likely you'll need to buy left-handed bowling shoes. There is however, a particular group of bowlers that have a peculiar habit of sliding on the same side they hold the ball. These bowlers are rare. In this case, the bowler should buy shoes that have the toe piece on the non-dominate foot.

When buying a shoe, the style of the bowling shoe is really the bowler's preference. A bowler should look for shoes that fit like a glove but not too tight. Padded linings and collars, cushioned insoles and breathable uppers will help to bowlers feet stay dry and comfortable. A well made shoe can last a bowler many years and provide extra comfort, support and stability by minimizing the movement of your foot within the shoe. This added stability, in turn will improve the bowlers balance, and thereby improve his or her performance.

Most local bowling alley pro shops will carry a half dozen different styles of shoes, varying in price from $29.99 to $199.99. The pro shop will either have the shoes on hand or will have a catalog from a company that they, in turn, order the shoes from. For a wider variety of styles, makes and colors, visit one or all of these websites, Bowlersoutlet.com, BowlersParadise.com or Shoeline.com. For instructions on how to find your proper shoe size and width, visit http://shoes.about.com/od/fitcomfort/ss/measurefeet. htm.

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