This is a short review for the Etonic Tour Master.
I am a proshop owner at a 225-230 average bowler and have normally switched shoes every 6 months or so because i bowl in 4 leagues and practice frequently. For me i know i need to look for a shoe that is supportive and comfortable, but not soft and fluffy. Often when a bowler says the shoe feels too rigid they have the wrong impression that soft leather is better. Yes it does stretch easily but if the shoe gets broken in after a few weeks it becomes too soft and loose.
The etonic classic dress were my first encounter with the brand and i liked them from the minute i put them on. Customers that switched from dexter often say they had foot problems go away, like planter's heel or sore arches. Personally i have high arches in my feet and dexters are too soft and too low to have any support.
In the past 5 years i have worn every major brand atleast twice and found a few that were good and some that were just a combination of poor design and bad workmanship.
-Dexter sst5 lx 3 pairs( were my favorites until i found the etonic tour master)
-sst6 lx 2 pairs ( felt sometimes too wide after a few months and got too soft.)
-sst6 the bronze redish ones were very good, leather wasnt too soft and they had -good shape to keep the foot stable but the inside liner ripped very easy.
-sst 7 the granite and black one, caused me the worst case of hip problems in my life. i had trouble with the toe cap( which they expressly said wouldn't happen) and i wasn't the only one to complain about it.
-the sst 8 white, i liked they were good and durable but the white shoes looked sometimes awkward and looked little bit big.
-3 pairs of etonic dress classic, were great i was able to get a solid 10 months out of most pairs. often only giving them up because the heel worn down and became inconsistent.
-dynothane's black carbretta shoe was too soft and after 3 months i had to lace the shoe so tight to make it feel stable that i broke an eyelet.
Now finally after a week of the Tour master i can honestly say the sole and heals in the etonics seem to be the best way to step down and make small changes to the slide level in a sole heal combo on the market. the 3 sections on the sole are easy to adjust and that was the major problem with dexters. one red sole was fine that was worn in and another that was brand new was ready to blow out your knee.
even though some people have already dismissed or put down these new shoes, they have yet to really try them. judging a book by its cover will leave alot of people missing out on likely one of the best designed shoes in a long time.
on the approach they are stable and offer good platform at the line. there looks are a little on the simple and plain side but not every one likes flash. the packaging and accessories of the shoes is a little on the short side, with no shoe bags, shoe covers or any other accessories some of the competitors have come with in the past like shoe forms.
so far i like them but its a matter of how long they last me. if i get 6 months that's average for me. if i get longer then even better, but if these are still instock at my distributor i will get a second pair without a doubt.
I just guess im fortunate enough to get so many pairs and most average bowlers don't want to take a gamble on a pair of shoes. For most bowlers they simply don't maintain there shoes or soles/heals. they will buy 4 balls or more a year and bowl multiple leagues but wear the same shoe for the last 5+ years. a bowler's shoe should fit like a ski boot. stable and firm not soft and loose.
Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shops
LaSalle, Quebec-Located inside Pont Mercier Lanes.
Keep them honest!
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