Bowling Shoes

Many people wonder about the actual necessity of wearing bowling shoes when bowling. Not only is shoe rental expensive, but the shoes are ugly and unfashionable. People feel as if they could bowl just as well in their sneakers. Regardless of the bowler’s skill level, bowling shoes are necessary to play the game successfully and safely and to keep the alleys free from damage. Bowling shoes help with the approach and the gliding motion as well.


The approach is where the bowler walks and releases the ball into the alley. The approach is very important and must be free from any disturbances.  If the approach is disturbed, you could easily fall or trip, which could cause injury as well as affect the score of the game. Bowling shoes help protect the floor, the approach and the person wearing the shoes. Bowling shoes are constructed with the idea of a gliding motion in mind. The main difference between bowling shoes and regular sneakers is the sole. On a bowling shoe, there are sliding soles on each side. These soles are also soft and have no heels, as opposed to regular shoes, which can be slippery. Also, the sliding pad on each shoe can be changed so that the bowler can adjust their friction to different alleys.