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Author Topic: Dexter Powerstep  (Read 9029 times)

TonyinPortland

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Dexter Powerstep
« on: September 29, 2015, 02:05:33 AM »
My one year-old Dexter SST-8s are coming apart because I drag my toe on my non-sliding shoe.  I was recommended the Dexter Powerstep as a solution.

But the only two sizes available are medium and large, with the medium being for sizes 9-13, and I wear size 7 2W.

Does anyone know if the medium would possibly work on the smaller size shoe?

For now I am going to try to substitute the T5 sole for the T3 one I had been using.  But if I wear that out too, it would be cheaper to buy the Powerstep, that is, if it lasts longer than the sole does.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2015, 02:09:47 AM by TonyinPortland »

 

tkkshop

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2015, 04:57:37 AM »
I have had my SST8's for almost 4 years. I'm on my 2nd powerstep, which I've been using since day 1. The shoes still look brand new and the step last quite a while. The strap that crosses the top can be pulled tightly, so you should still be able to use the medium. I'd highly suggest it for us toe draggers.

Steven

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2015, 03:33:56 PM »
I tried the Powerstep on my SST8s when the toe area finally started to go after 5+ years. I figured I might be able to get another year or two of life out of the shoes.
 
On the plus side, the Powerstep is industrial strength and is probably the best solution if you're a serial toe dragger. However, the Powerstep is bulky and it added noticeable weight to my pivot foot.
 
Maybe if I had used the Powerstep for a while, I would have got used to it. I made the mistake of not being careful in taking it off the shoe. All the velco in the Powerstep clamps to the shoe like a vise, and I cracked the bottom of the SST8 sole prying the thing off. I got more life out of my SST8s than I expected, so no harm. It forced me to move onto the 9s, so things worked out. 

TonyinPortland

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2015, 04:47:58 PM »
Do you have to take the Powerstep off when you take the shoes off?  You can't just leave it on permanently?

TonyinPortland

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2015, 04:48:15 PM »
Update:

I called Dexter and they are going to send me "as a courtesy"  one time only, a new sole.  Also, they said that the Powerstep should work with the smaller size shoe, and they recommend it to keep this from continuing to happen.

Steven

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2015, 04:53:21 PM »
Do you have to take the Powerstep off when you take the shoes off?  You can't just leave it on permanently?

 
You can leave the Powerstep on permanently. I took it off because I wanted to compare the feel to the 'bare' shoe again. I would suggest that you leave it on, or at least be extremely careful in working it off.

kidlost2000

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #6 on: September 29, 2015, 05:50:57 PM »
Another option for any shoe you may have for you toe draggers is some Gorilla Glue brand tape. Its like duct tape and is impressive.
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

lilpossum1

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #7 on: September 29, 2015, 09:03:23 PM »
Gorilla tape is some impressive stuff. Do not put it on something you are planning on taking it off of. Or that you don't mind having residue left on if you manage to take it off. We had a customer temporarily patch a tarp on a semi trailer before he brought it back to us. He used gorilla tape. It took everything I had to peel it off, and I could barely scrape the residue off the canvas with my knife

Steven

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2015, 09:59:14 PM »
Another option for any shoe you may have for you toe draggers is some Gorilla Glue brand tape. Its like duct tape and is impressive.

 
I've yet to see any shoe standup to the abuse of a terminal toe dragger. Gimmicks such as tape and Velcro only temporarily slow down the inevitability of toe destruction. It's more cost effective in the long run to have a few lessons and find out why dragging is such an issue. 

TonyinPortland

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2015, 10:47:06 AM »
Another option for any shoe you may have for you toe draggers is some Gorilla Glue brand tape. Its like duct tape and is impressive.

I actually just bought some of that tape to fix something else.  It would probably work pretty well, but I really don't want to put duct tape on my one-year old, expensive shoes.

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2015, 04:24:21 PM »
The Powerstep works.  It's way cheaper than shoes.

TonyinPortland

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2015, 05:57:43 PM »
The Powerstep works.  It's way cheaper than shoes.

I am not sure I could get used to having something that big and bulky on my right foot.

milorafferty

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #12 on: September 30, 2015, 06:29:09 PM »
The Powerstep works.  It's way cheaper than shoes.


You mean AFTER you have already bought their shoe.
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TonyinPortland

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2015, 04:28:57 AM »
Update #2

I ordered the Powerstep, after contacting Dexter.  They said that it should work fine, even though it was for sizes 9-13 and I wear size 7 2w.

I tried it tonight and it went on the shoe fine, but when I tried to bowl with it, it caught on the approach worse than the old sole.

I only tried it 2-3 times, because I wanted to make sure I could return it.  Probably, if I practiced with it for a while I could get used to it, but I think I would rather just buy new soles every year or two, than wear that giant thing.  After taking it off I tried the T 5 again, and it worked fine.

Also, Dexter is supposed to be sending me a replacement for the damaged T 3, although, I guess the T 3 is discontinued, because they are sending me a T 2, which is replacing the T 3.

I wish I had realized what a problem the SST-8s are for someone who drags their toe before I bought them.

tkkshop

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Re: Dexter Powerstep
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2015, 05:22:04 AM »
The catch is from fesh rubber. After a solid practice session, you'll be fine and the rubber will dull some on the tip. It takes some getting used to, but I'd rather spend 30 bucks on a toe piece than 160 on shoes.