Bowling Shoe Soles and Heels Explained

Ever feel like you're sticking at the line one night and sliding too far the next? Approaches change with humidity, cleaning and traffic, and here in the Northwest the humid days can make them tacky. Performance bowling shoes let you swap soles and heels to fix that. Here's how they work.

How interchangeable shoes work

Performance shoes have removable pads that attach with hook-and-loop fasteners. Entry level shoes have fixed soles that can't be changed.

• Slide sole: goes on your sliding foot (the left foot for most right-handers) and controls how far you slide.
• Traction sole: goes on your push-off foot for grip.
• Heel: goes on the heel of your slide shoe and controls how quickly you stop.

What the numbers mean

Dexter numbers its slide soles with an S and its heels with an H. Brunswick uses a similar scale for its soles.

• Slide soles: a lower number means less slide and more grip. A higher number means more slide.
• Heels: a lower number brakes harder. A higher number lets you glide a little before you stop.

Dexter SST shoes usually come with an S8 slide sole and an H5 heel, which is a good middle ground for most approaches.

Picking the right one

• Approach feels slick, or you want a shorter slide: go to a lower number, like an S4 or S2.
• Approach feels sticky, or you want a longer slide: go to a higher number, like the S13.
• Stopping too hard or too soft: change the heel, like the H2 for more braking or the H5 for a balanced stop.

Change one thing at a time. If you stick, go up a number. If you slide too far, go down.

Soles and heels are made for their own brand's shoes, so a Dexter sole fits Dexter shoes. If you have KR Strikeforce, 3G or another brand, stop in and we'll find the right fit.

Take care of your soles

• Brush your slide sole with a shoe brush before and after you bowl.
• Put shoe covers on whenever you step off the approach. Spilled drinks and dirt on the sole will make you stick.
• Check for worn or smooth spots and replace soles that wear unevenly.

Ready to upgrade?

See our performance bowling shoes with interchangeable soles, or stop by our pro shop in Parkland and we'll help you dial in your slide. Call (253) 412-4251 with any questions.