11 Best Bowling Shoes (Review) In 2022

- 1. KR Strikeforce Men's Flyer Mesh Bowling Shoe
- 2. Pyramid Men’s Skull Bowling Shoes
- 3. BSI Women’s Classic Bowling Shoe
- 4. Brunswick Frenzy Men’s Bowling Shoe
- 5. Brunswick Vapor Men’s Bowling Shoe
- 6. Pyramid Men’s Ram White Bowling Shoe
- 7. BSI Men’s Basic #521 Bowling Shoes
- 8. Dexter Bowling Men’s Pro Am II
- 9. KR Strikeforce Men’s Flyer Bowling Shoes
- 10. Dexter Bowling Men’s Kam Bowling Shoes
- 11. Brunswick Ladies Envy Bowling Shoes
Just like you never want to borrow golf shoes from the golf course or mountaineering boots when hitting the trail, anyone serious about bowling should invest in the best bowling shoes. These shoes are unlike anything you’ve ever been forced to wear at your local bowling alley. In fact, they are living proof that bowling shoes can, wait for it, be stylish. Of course, with something as intricate as bowling, especially for those who take it more seriously than a bachelorette party pit stop before hitting the bars, it’s about more than style. Delivering comfort, supreme slide, and universal fits for left- and right-handed bowlers, there is no chance that anyone will be out of their element when they slide these on for the first time.
The Best Bowling Shoe
1. KR Strikeforce Men’s Flyer Mesh Bowling Shoe

Wide range of sizes
Engineered mesh upper
Universal soles
Comfort-fit construction
Lightweight and breathable
Stylish and durable
Our best choice for the best bowling shoes, the KR Strikeforce Men’s Flyer Mesh Bowling Shoe. it is available in a wide range of sizes to suit everybody, and the engineered mesh upper provides a sporty performance feel that ensures comfort and breathability. Its universal soles mean they are suitable for left- and right-handed players, with slide soles on both shoes for maximum performance.
The comfort-fit construction is gentle on your feet, while the lightweight design makes them feel less like the horrid bowling shoes of your adolescent birthday parties, and more like something you’d happily wear everywhere rather than just the bowling alley. However, as they are specifically designed for bowling to ensure excellent performance, make sure you only wear them when bowling to ensure the consistent quality of the approach and lanes.
2. Pyramid Men’s Skull Bowling Shoes

Green/black skull motif
Range of sizes
Classic bowling shoe design
Easy break-in microfiber soles
Metal eyelets
Heavy-duty stitching
Ideal for the edgy bowler wanting to make an impression, the Pyramid Men’s Skull Bowling Shoes are brash and eye-catching, just how we want them to be. The green/black color discards the traditional white/blue/red colors of standard alley shoes, while the green skulls bring a little punk rock to the proceedings.
They are available in a range of sizes, and despite the bold colors, they still retain the classic bowling shoe design to offer an olive branch to tradition. The microfiber soles are easy to break in to ensure immediate comfort, while metal eyelets are secure and keep the laces as tight as you need them to be as you strive for your perfect game. The heavy-duty stitching completes the overall look and means that these are a pair of shoes that will offer support and quality in every game, whether you go every day or once a week.
3. BSI Women’s Classic Bowling Shoe

Range of sizes
Sport leather uppers
Classic bowling shoe design
Common sliding sole
Lightweight EVA midsole
Padded tongue and collar
The BSI Women’s Classic Bowling Shoe is an excellent choice for both experienced and newbie bowlers hoping to increase their performance and comfort from the soles of their feet up. The shoe boasts a classic design that is instantly recognizable, and the sport leather uppers provide both durability and easy maintenance, with quality stitching that ensures you’re prepared for both training and competitive games.
The common sliding sole provides the perfect amount of slide, and this is enhanced with felt on the bottom to ensure that satisfying glide that makes you confident every time you step up to the approach. The lightweight midsole will also reduce foot fatigue and keep your feet feeling fresh so you can focus on your strikes, splits, or even get creative with tricky shots. Finally, the padded tongue and collar offer welcoming comfort that make them feel like they are a shoe made especially for you.
4. Brunswick Frenzy Men’s Bowling Shoe

Wide range of sizes
Athletic mesh upper with EVA
Foam padded collar and tongue
Raised rubber heel for controlled slide
Extra light comfort
Stylish and athletic
Available in a broad number of sizes ranging from 7 to 14, the Brunswick Frenzy Men’s Bowling Shoe combines athletic performance with comfort to ensure excellent results every time you lace up your shoes. The mesh upper with EVA provides extra lightweight comfort while the foam-padded collar and tongue are forgiving, especially during games that never seem to end.
The raised rubber heel is unique compared to other options, and this allows for a controlled slide to maximize balance and energy transfer effectively. They are stylish and sporty, signifying a step into the future for bowling shoes, allowing you to look and feel the part whether you are competing against the best around, or hanging with some friends after work to blow off steam.
5. Brunswick Vapor Men’s Bowling Shoe

2 colors
Range of sizes
Performance synthetic uppers
Foam padded collar and tongue
Extra-light molded EVA outsole
Pure slide microfiber soles
The Brunswick Vapor Men’s Bowling Shoe is available in 2 colors, White and Black so you can pick the perfect option to match your bowling style. There are also several sizes, but regardless of what you choose, you’re guaranteed fantastic performance thanks to the synthetic uppers that are neither too heavy nor too light. This ensures fantastic balance and control while also keeping your feet comfortable.
Further comfort comes from the foam-padded collar and tongue to resist abrasions and blisters, while the extra-light molded EVA outsole makes it feel you’re walking on air. The Pure slide microfiber soles complete the shoe and give you the superior slide straight out of the box to ensure spectacular results even if you don’t feel entirely on your game.
6. Pyramid Men’s Ram White Bowling Shoe

Range of shoe sizes
Unique classic styling
Easy break-in sole
Perfect slide
Eco-friendly packaging with no shoebox
Metal eyelets and durable stitching
Simple, affordable, but extremely effective, our best value pick for the best bowling shoes is the Pyramid Men’s Ram White Bowling Shoe. As you’d expect, it comes in a range of sizes, and these all fit true to size so you can guarantee hassle-free wear and long-lasting comfort. The unique classic styling honors both the old and the new, delivering traditional styles with modern construction that announces it as a shoe that comes from the best of both worlds.
The sole is easy to break-in so you can get yourself to your home alley as soon as they arrive, and you’ll find the perfect slide to enhance your form and keep you well-balanced with every strike. The metal eyelets and durable stitching deliver peace of mind and longevity. It also comes in eco-friendly packaging without a shoebox to reduce waste and minimize shipping weight and space.
7. BSI Men’s Basic #521 Bowling Shoes

Range of sizes with true-to-size fit
Lightweight and durable rubber outsole
Action leather upper
Common microfiber sliding sole
Balances traction and slide
Extra-plush insole/sock liner
Basic may be in the name, but we can assure there is nothing fundamental or boring about the BSI Men’s Basic #521 Bowling Shoes. It’s true-to-size fit across a range of sizes ensure simplicity when choosing the right size, and this, when combined with the extra-plush insole and sock liner, guarantees lasting comfort whether you play a quick game after work, or spend your whole weekend knocking down pins and racking up wins.
The action leather upper is perfect for competitive games, but as it’s so durable, you can also use it as a practice shoe when training or playing casual games. The common microfiber sliding sole balances traction and glide perfectly, while the lightweight outsole complements the rest of the shoe and demonstrates it is one that you can rely on no matter the occasion.
8. Dexter Bowling Men’s Pro Am II

Soft and durable man-made upper
Fully fabric lined
Padded tongue and collar
Classic rubber outsole
Raised heel
S8 slide soles
For experienced bowlers looking for a shoe that reminds them of their first time stepping up the approach, the Dexter Bowling Men’s Pro Am II is just what you need. It boasts a soft and durable man-made upper that is sturdy, but also flexible to provide the ideal twist and foot placement, while the padded tongue and collar offer the ankle support necessary for more demanding strikes.
Inside, the full fabric lining goes easy on your feet and is a relief compared to the harsh interior of borrowed bowling shoes, while the raised heel gives you that extra bit of oomph when you need to be daring. It also boasts a classic rubber outsole that ensures easier sliding, while the Slide-Rite gives you confidence that you can glide, twist, and contort your body just how you need to.
9. KR Strikeforce Men’s Flyer Bowling Shoes

3 colors
Range of sizes
Universal slide soles
Soft and durable man-made upper
Comfortable fit
Simple but stylish
With three subtle but still distinct color styles, the KR Strikeforce Men’s Flyer Bowling Shoes is an excellent choice for anyone unwilling to take the leap from the traditional black bowling shoe into more outrageous styles. Still, it hints at how you’d like to look as you step up the approach, and for many, that’s a-okay.
As for performance, it boasts universal slide soles for bowlers of both dexterities, while the soft and durable man-made upper is both comfortable and durable. This comfortable fit provides fantastic relief and ensures consistent concentration throughout your game. It’s simple, but also stylish, and for many bowlers, both old and young, that’s all you need, as you let your technique do the talking.
10. Dexter Bowling Men’s Kam Bowling Shoes

Range of available sizes
Universal soles for left- and right-handed bowlers
Slip on design
Lightweight and cool cotton canvas upper
Increased flexibility
Durable and convenient
The Dexter Bowling Men’s Kam Bowling Shoes are our premium pick and are the perfect choice for intermediates looking to make the step up from occasionally competitive play and instead be crowned the king of the alley. It boasts universal soles for fantastic support whether you’re lefthanded or right-handed, while the slip-on design makes them some of the most convenient bowling shoes ever made.
This slip-on design is enhanced by the lightweight and cool cotton canvas upper that promotes breathability, even as things get heated on lane 6. It provides increased flexibility that allows greater freedom of movement, allowing you to try techniques and styles that you’ve never been confident enough to attempt before.
11. Brunswick Ladies Envy Bowling Shoes

Range of available sizes
Premium material construction
Lightweight structure
Modern and comfortable
Heel pub tab
True to size fit
The Brunswick Ladies Envy Bowling Shoes comes with premium materials that announce long-life and durability, meaning they may just be the last bowling shoe you ever buy. The sizes range from 6 to 11 so they can accommodate everybody, while the true-to-size fit ensures convenient and hassle-free wear.
Both modern and comfortable, they add a hint of style that is sorely lacking from the majority of bowling alleys. You will also enjoy the lightweight structure that makes every step feel lighter than the last. For as for getting them on, the heel pull tab makes this easy, while the lowered laces, although not everybody’s cup of tea, ensures a secure fit to help you keep your balance and maintain fantastic mobility when your head, arm, hips, and leg must all operate on the same plane.
Bowling Shoe Buying Guide and FAQ
Features To Look For In Bowling Shoes
Fit
Bowling shoes are available in a wide range of widths and fit styles. As with any shoe, you want to ensure that they fit properly so you can balance and maneuver your body more effectively to perform as you need to. If the shoe is too loose, it can affect the consistency of your game, while a shoe that is too tight could cause blisters, while the overall pain will distract you from being at your best. If these blisters persist, you may not be able to bowl until they heal. Even if you think you know your shoe size, get them professionally measured so you can be sure you select bowling shoes with the perfect fit.
Comfort
Fit and comfort often go hand in hand, but it is about more than the tightness or looseness of the shoe that will affect how comfortable they are. The bowling shoes you have grown up borrowing at the bowling alley are unlikely to be comfortable. They have been worn by thousands of people before, and this leads to a good deal of wear and tear. For your own bowling shoes, consider padded collars and tongues, as well as lightweight materials. This will help keep you nimble on your feet and also reduce foot fatigue during a long game. The better the comfort, the easier your flow will come, and the better you will perform.
Support
Much like comfort and fit, support is essential regardless of the shoe, but as bowling includes a lot of stretching, twisting, and balancing demands, support is even more essential than you might first think. With adequate support from your bowling shoes, you can find the optimal balance when bowling. It will prevent you from leaning too far one way or the other, and ensure that each bowl will end in a strike, most of the time, anyway. This support can also prevent injuries, especially around the ankles while also keeping your feet in excellent condition by applying the necessary arch or heel support that you require.
Slide
What is slide? For anyone who is just researching bowling shoes for the first time, it is interesting for you to learn that slide refers to the glide that happens when you bowl the ball from the approach. In bowling shoes, there is a slide sole and a braking sole, and this will depend on whether you bowl right- or left-handed. Your braking sole is your dominant foot, while the sliding sole is your other foot. Despite this, some bowling shoes come with universal soles, while performance shoes have interchangeable soles that you can switch out to match your bowling style or the surface you are bowling on.
Traction
While slide is important, so too is traction. With a sufficient amount of traction, you can ensure stability when approaching the lane. This enhances balance and prevents you from slipping over, which won’t just ruin your bowl, but also embarrass you in front of everybody. As mentioned above, the traction or braking sole is usually on your dominant foot, but this may vary depending on your bowling style, just like some left-handed golfers play with right-handed clubs, for example. Traction is crucial for balancing your game properly, but too much traction could cause problems if you are still getting to grips with your bowling technique.
Best Bowling Shoe FAQ
Q: Can you wear your own bowling shoes?
A: Absolutely. In fact, for many people who bowl more than once a year, buying and wearing your own bowling shoes is much more hygienic and effective than wearing shoes borrowed from the bowling alley. While bowling alleys are likely to have your size no matter what, wearing your own bowling shoes gives you the comfort and confidence you need to put you at the top of your game.
If you are a regular bowler, the shoes will pay for themselves, eventually. You don’t need to worry about worn or outdated bowling shoes with insufficient slide and soles. You will also avoid the discomfort that can come from borrowing alley bowling shoes. Just like a passionate bowler would purchase their own ball to use at the bowling alley, your own bowling shoes will complete the look.
In many places, wearing your own bowling shoes welcomed, as it means that there are more to lend out to casuals arriving for parties or pre-games.
Q: Can you wear bowling shoes as regular shoes?
A: You could, but it’s not something we’d recommend, especially not outside, or indeed anywhere except a bowling alley. There are several reasons why it’s not a good idea to wear bowling shoes as regular shoes.
The biggest reason is that bowling alleys, lanes, and the floorboards around the ball return and scoring console, are specifically designed to keep the soles of your bowling shoes in the best condition. They are not abrasive or porous, and this ensures a consistent slide to maximize your performance when bowling.
Compare this to outside, even in your backyard, and there is the chance that you could step on something that severely damages the sleek smoothness of the bowling shoe sole. Bowling alley owners also don’t want you to track mud and debris in with you, which could also damage the lane surfaces.
Mud and dirt would not just affect the area where you bowl, but also the lane themselves. The shiny surface is necessary for bowlers to perform to their best ability, so you don’t want anything to damage it. It may sound convenient to wear your bowling shoes to and from the bowling alley, but if it risks damaging the lanes, it’s not worth it. Bring your shoes in a backpack and change into them once you arrive to maintain both the soles of your bowling shoes and the lanes.
Sources:
Why Bowling Alleys Require You to Wear Bowling Shoes - Spare Times Bowling
How to Make My Bowling Shoes Slide More - Sports Rec