Well I finally found a solution. It cost me $73.00 to figure this all out. I bought two #8 Soles and one #10 sole. I was going to cut the soles into pieces. By looking at the sole I currently had on my shoe I could tell where most of the wear was on the sole. It was most about a 2 inch wide strip. My thought process was thinking this is the area where I am sticking the most.
Went to the lanes on Tuesday. I cut a #8 sole into three pieces. The middle piece was the that 2 inch area. Then did the same for a #10 sole. I tried some things. In order from toe (Front) to back of sole. I was using a #7 heel with this.
1st combination: #8 (Front), #8 (Middle), #8(Back) - This was like a control. This is a new sole, so I though now that I have separated what would be like. Some slide, but stopping too quick.
2nd combination: #8(Front), #10(Middle), #8(Back) - I thought this was going to be what I needed. My slide was a little more but I was still stopping very quickly. Upon investigation, the #10 sole is thinner that the #8. The stopping was because I was hitting the edge of the #8 back piece.
3rd combination: #8(Front), #10(Middle, #10(Back) - I RECCOMEND NOT TRYING THIS. I had no traction. TOO MUCH SLIDE! I came close to falling down, but was very fortunate to regain my balance.
4th combination: #10(Front), #8(Middle), #10(Back) - Did not like it. Slide was not good, plus all steps I used with that shoe in my approach were not good since the #10 was on the front.
2nd Combination was the best of the four, unfortunately it wasn't good enough. I was very angry, spending this money, cutting these soles up, and not solving my slide issue.
I ordered a Slide Sock on Wednesday Morning (I haven't received it yet). I was thinking this is my next to last option, last option is to buy new shoes.
Well I go back to the lanes on Wednesday night. I thinking of cutting these soles into more smaller pieces trying different combinations. Then I thought of something. I have a few used #8 soles (the old yellow ones) I have as backup just incase (They work if you use some powder on them). Looking at them they are close to the thickness of the #10 felt sole. I cut one and put it on.
THAT WAS IT!!! I was getting the slide I needed. It took a worn down #8 Sole on the back to make this work. It seems very little of it touches the lane, but it is enough to let me slide and have control.
Sole Combination of #8 (Front), #10 (Middle), Old Worn #8 (Back) with a #7 Heel
If Dexter would have their soles all the same thickness, I sure you could get creative, and find a good combination to acheive the perfect slide. My solution is good (definitely a big improvement), but could it be better. I know there is room for improvement but I just can't keep spending money on soles.
Sorry for the long reply, but I thought I would share my results with the site.
Edited by trash heap on 10/20/2011 at 7:31 AM
