Don't nuke the shoe decision. Unless you have foot or ankle problems, just pick up a cheap pair of Dexters. I got a close out pair from bowlingball.com for under $40 and have zero issues. Bowling shoes aren't like basketball shoes or baseball or football cleats. They're not going to help your performance.

Quote from: michael.willis9 on March 04, 2017, 03:06:00 PM

Don't nuke the shoe decision. Unless you have foot or ankle problems, just pick up a cheap pair of Dexters. I got a close out pair from bowlingball.com for under $40 and have zero issues. Bowling shoes aren't like basketball shoes or baseball or football cleats. They're not going to help your performance.

Sorry but bs. A $40 bowling shoe with slide soles on each foot is completely different than a pair with 1 slide foot

So how many pins will his average rise with a more expensive pair?

I've been around plenty of people who haven't used fancy bowling shoes and I personally haven't either and have never had any issues. I've watched plenty of old timers who never had fancy shoes and been bowling for decades and never had issues.

I'll say again if there's pre-existing medical issues that's one thing but if nothing's wrong, it's not a big deal. A shoes a shoe. Spending $100+ on shoes isn't worth it if you're not bowling on tv every Sunday.

Quote from: michael.willis9 on March 04, 2017, 03:38:45 PM

Quote from: SVstar34 on March 04, 2017, 03:31:30 PM

Quote from: michael.willis9 on March 04, 2017, 03:06:00 PM

Don't nuke the shoe decision. Unless you have foot or ankle problems, just pick up a cheap pair of Dexters. I got a close out pair from bowlingball.com for under $40 and have zero issues. Bowling shoes aren't like basketball shoes or baseball or football cleats. They're not going to help your performance.

Sorry but bs. A $40 bowling shoe with slide soles on each foot is completely different than a pair with 1 slide foot

So how many pins will his average rise with a more expensive pair?

How many more shots will a basketball player make with basketball shoes? How many more touchdowns will a football player get with cleats? How many more hits will a baseball player get with cleats?

You're new to the site and have done nothing but look like a Richard when your posts are asking questions as to why people do things because your way is better.

Well a lighter cleat in baseball could make the difference in beating out a bang bang play or chasing down a fly ball. A lighter shoe in basketball could be the difference in being in the right position to take a charge as opposed to a block because his feet weren't set in time. I can go on if you'd like.

And that's a nice opinion you have of me, glad to see you're following me on all my different posts. I also find it funny you don't like what I have to say, it being bs and all, but then you got a guy, who profits from selling bowling equipment, with all these "reasons" as to why an expensive shoe is better. It's all for the bowler I'm sure and nothing to do with your income

If you don't like my opinion fine, but don't call my opinion BS like you did then say I'm acting like a male body part.

Quote from: michael.willis9 on March 04, 2017, 05:40:14 PM

I've been around plenty of people who haven't used fancy bowling shoes and I personally haven't either and have never had any issues. I've watched plenty of old timers who never had fancy shoes and been bowling for decades and never had issues.

I'll say again if there's pre-existing medical issues that's one thing but if nothing's wrong, it's not a big deal. A shoes a shoe. Spending $100+ on shoes isn't worth it if you're not bowling on tv every Sunday.

Maybe you've just been lucky?
I've bowled at places that, when it's humid or rainy, I've needed to use Easy Slide on a Dexter #12 sole (called Black Ice) on every shot, or I'd stick at the foul line. One day during practice, I went thru a full bag of Easy SLide to bowl 3 games.

Most places are not that bad, but there is  a huge range of slide and stick between different synthetic approaches and different wood approaches. Some are maintained well and other are just maintained differently. Without adjustable soles and heels, I wouldn't be able to bowl at many places. One of those was Nationals about 15 years back - zero slide and Easy slide was prohibited.

Maybe you have just been lucky but I and many others need adjustable soles and heels in today's wide range of conditions and environments.

I don't notice it as much anymore with approach conditions. Everything around San Diego is synthetic or at least newer wood.

But growing up, when I was in suburbs of Cleveland, bowling traveling league I'd see a lot of varying feels on the approaches. It was all part of the challenge. Had to adjust to the lane conditions as well as the approach.

Even like you said though, there's easy slide and other products that are way cheaper than a high priced shoe. But everyone is different. Personally I can put a $40 pair of shoes on or a $150 pair on and I'm not going to notice a difference.

My opinion and suggestion were based on me. I just noticed everyone else suggesting one high pair or another and was saying that you don't always need it. It's like golf, some people just get the high priced shoes, bag and clubs because they can. I merely stated that it isn't always the case.

Michael,

Granted it isn't always the case; it's just that I got the feeling from your initial response that you felt it was never the case. I might have misinterpreted it. No problem.

I tend to be very direct. I did say just go for the cheap option because the original poster gave no indication of injuries and every post had been about the other shoes. I merely said get a cheaper pair. Dexter is still a good brand and you can, from what I've seen, get close out pairs on the online dealers. Getting an older model for cheaper has always been a route I take.

Better question...

How did kr jump into the high end shoe business.

Did they buy etonics bowling bowling division or just come out of nowhere?

Like who is behind KR?

Given the wide range of bowling products they are responsible for, I would assume it wasn't a problem to go up against Dexter and 3G/900Global for the shoe market and find people to design and make a good product, which they did.

Having lived with both Linds, Dexters and 3G shoes for a long time, The TPU-X and its offshoots combines the best of Linds, Dexters and 3G/900G in a more affordable shoe.

But why ask why a corporation takes a different approach to an age old problem?
If you're really curious, I'd suggesting contacting KR directly.