I'm pretty sure it's KR.

I like the TPU X for how comfortable they are but I like the stability of Dexter shoes better

I'm pretty sure it's KR.

I like the TPU X for how comfortable they are but I like the stability of Dexter shoes better

I think they're actually manufactured somewhere in China (mine say "made in China, on the tongue). KR probably owns the trademark on the design, has them manufactured to their standards and distributes them. KR had them made for Brunswick, but KR and Brunswick went their separate ways sometime last year, as far as I have learned.

I use the TPU-Xs and liked them so much I bought a 2nd pair for when my first pair goes. I also just bought a bunch of the soles I use.

I believe, as Steven already mentioned, KR is now making them for Hammer (EBI International) and Pyramid (BowlingBall.com). So the shoes now have the Hammer or the Pyramid label on them, instead of the Brunswick label. I believe they're the same shoe.

KR also makes their own branded model of the TPU X/Hammer Force/HPX. Raptor for men and Starr for women.

http://www.krstrikeforce.com/products/Mens-Raptor

http://www.krstrikeforce.com/products/Womens-Starr

As long as the visuals aren't a huge deal I would definitely go with the best deal you can find out of those four models. They're all the same.

KR also makes their own branded model of the TPU X/Hammer Force/HPX. Raptor for men and Starr for women.

http://www.krstrikeforce.com/products/Mens-Raptor

http://www.krstrikeforce.com/products/Womens-Starr

As long as the visuals aren't a huge deal I would definitely go with the best deal you can find out of those four models. They're all the same.

Just curious, but -
Have you seen any internet seller's that sell the KR version?

(kind of tired of looking for all these shoes and soles after a while.)

Quote from: charlest on March 04, 2017, 09:17:35 AM

I use the TPU-Xs and liked them so much I bought a 2nd pair for when my first pair goes. I also just bought a bunch of the soles I use.

 
I've been itching to pull the trigger on a second pair of Pyramid TPX. The Pyramid version is roughly $100, and it's hard to beat that value.

I bought my 2nd pair on closeout at $99.95, same price as the current Pyramids (I think)

The Hammer version is much more expensive,

If you saw them for the price I saw - $169.95 - double Yikes!

so I'm wondering how long Pyramid is going to be allowed to market the TPX.

At $99.95 for what seems to be the same shoe, I wonder if KR has problems with that.?

Of course, many people myself included, up to now (this post) never knew that Pyramid carried the equivalent shoe, the TPX,  for so much less.

I have friends with both the Hammer Force and the Brunswick TPU-X, and I can't see any real difference between the base shoes.

Have you seen any difference between the TPU-X and the Pyramid version TPX?
 
I'm going to Nationals later this month, and I plan to check out all the shoes at the booths. I'd like to try on a pair of Dexter 9 wides to see how they feel before staking a claim to just one shoe. I hate that I have to order a pair of shoes just to try them on. Nobody in my area carries high end shoes on the shelf. 
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At the price, can you blame them?  I doubt that they can get it for much less than we can pay for them online. Not many people are willing to pay $300 for a bowling ball or $200 for a fancy pair of shoes.

(PLUS I can't tell you how many people buy SST 8s and the like and then use a Slide Sock because they're too lazy to change soles.)

Have you seen any difference between the TPU-X and the Pyramid version TPX?
 

 
From what I can see in analyzing the TPU-X and the HPX side by side, I can't see any real differences. They both appear to have the same construction, and use the same Ortholite insoles. 
 
I was tempted to get the TPU-X when they were on closeout sale, because they were a slightly better deal than the Pyramid HPX. I just thought the solid black HPX looked really cool. Of course, that a matter of individual taste.

Well explained guys.... despite kr being the one that markets all of this, without doing your homework, it appears so complicated (Brunswick, pyramid, now hammer)   That kr goes through all these companies to put a different name, to only end up having the exact same shoe ( with different prices)

As they say marketing 101 I suppose.