How to Pick the Best Bowling Shoes

• How to pick the bowling shoes is both a science and an art.
• The answer to “do bowling shoes run big?” is a complicated answer depending on factors like brand and your feet’s specific needs.
• The best bowling shoes for you are ones that work with your play style and lane conditions.

Picture this: you’re new or returning to bowling after a while, staring at that beautiful array of bowling balls, deciding which to choose. You will likely be going for what looks and feels the best, as you shuffle up to the rack in your rentals, hoping they stay on well while recognizing rentals are for protecting the lanes first and your feet second. You’ll likely be wishing you put the same decision-making into the best bowling shoes for you as you did for the ball.

Just as you’re inspired to find the right bowling ball for you, your love for the game is driving you to figure out how to better pick bowling shoes that enhance your hours at the alley. There is plenty to consider when shopping for the best bowling shoes beyond simply picking a size, lacing them up, and hoping for the best. In this article, we’ll give you some pro tips to help you shop with confidence, as well as answer age-old questions such as, “Do bowling shoes run big?” and “What’s a good price for good bowling shoes?”

Do Bowling Shoes Run Big? Finding the Right Fit

If you’ve ever rented shoes at a bowling alley, you’ve likely wondered if “what’s your shoe size?” was a trick question. Shopping for your own best fit for bowling shoes can feel daunting. That’s all for good reason, because bowling shoes are truly built differently than shoes you’d wear anywhere else, and even buying shoes for everyday wear can be anxiety-producing for even the most confident shopper.

One (Sizing Chart) Fits All

You are likely aware that different parts of the world use different sizing methods for shoes, meaning that if you were in continental Europe shopping for a men’s size 10 in American shoe sizes, you’d ask for size 43, whereas in the United Kingdom, your size 10 would be a size 9.5, and in Japan, a 28. Thankfully, the International Bowling Congress helped set the standard for bowling shoes based on American shoe sizes.

This is a long way to answer one of the most perennial pieces of advice bowlers get about how to pick bowling shoes: Yes, compared to U.S. sizes, bowling shoes do tend to run big in the sense that your size in bowling shoes will be different from what you’d normally wear by about half a size. In other words, if you wear a size 10 in the streets, you’re likely a size 9.5 in the alley. But just like any street shoe brand, that may not always be the case. You can always check reviews or contact the manufacturer to find out if the shoes you want run true-to-size or if you need to size down.

Size Yourself Up

The best way to find out the best bowling shoe size for you is simply by measuring your feet.

1. Start by placing your feet directly on a flat surface, such as paper, and mark the end of your heel to the tip of your toe.
2. Measure the distance between those markings, and compare to a shoe size chart.
3. Keep other rules of thumb in mind: men’s sizes tend to accommodate wider feet and provide more toe space, whereas women’s sizes tend to be narrower. Shopping for youth can be trickier, but it’s rewarding for a young person to literally grow into the sport and to discover which brands and fits work best for them while avoiding injury.

Just like with any shoes, keep brand variety in mind. For example, many with narrow feet argue that Dexter, at its standard width, is the best bowling shoe for them, while those with wider feet do better with Brunswick, as their bowling shoes do tend to run big.

Know Your Strengths and Play Style

Learning how to pick bowling shoes that work best specifically for you will always include some trial and error, which is why it’s still a good idea to try out a few rentals before committing to the styles and sizes that feel the most comfortable. Other things you should consider are:

• Are you right-hand or left-hand dominant? 
• How thick do you wear your socks, and how much “wiggle room” do you prefer? Adjust sizing accordingly with that fine balancing act between a firm grip and personal comfort.
• Do you have additional needs, such as more arch support? This is also where heels, soles, and other inserts can help you better customize your fit.
• Are there certain brands you prefer? Perhaps it’s the “look” of a certain pair, or because you recall that some seem to just work with your feet better.

In other words, the more you know what works for you, the better choices you can make as a bowler!

Consider Lane Condition

How you pick your bowling shoes should also factor in lane conditions, as some soles and designs perform better in more oily lanes, while others help compensate for the lack of friction in drier lanes. This helps keep your feet properly gripping the floor while providing enough stability so you can complete your moves quickly and safely. Note that any numbers on the outside of the shoes usually refer to their grip, and not the sizes themselves. Higher numbers provide more slide, lower ones provide less.

This is also where heels and soles can help you compensate for where your shoe could use a boost to compensate for more lane types. More advanced and professional players will likely opt for a few different pairs for swapping and versatility.

Tying It All Up

We can’t wait to help you find your best pair of bowling shoes at Bowlers Paradise: please do not hesitate to ask us for guidance, as we care that your shoes fit comfortably. It’s also why we encourage you to try on your shoes for size on a clean surface and to reach out if you need to swap out sizes or brands before hitting the alley with them.

Also, make sure your shoes stay in as peak condition as they were built to keep the lanes: by investing in accessories and storage bags that keep your bowling shoes at their best, you will be able to enjoy them for even longer with more great bowling stories to share.