Various factors define the size of the bowling shoes. It may differ according to manufacturers, style of the shoes, or materials used in production. With so many options, how do you decide on the perfect size and design for your next pair of bowling shoes?
We have compiled a comprehensive guide regarding the problems you might face when buying your next pair of bowling shoes.
Do Bowling Shoes Run Big or Small?
Normally, bowling shoes run big. However, there is no one correct answer to this question. The size may vary from brand to brand depending on their manufacturing procedures.
Therefore, we suggest that you always refer to the sizing charts when buying bowling shoes.
How to Determine Your Bowling Shoes Will Run Small or Large?
Knowing if your bowling shoes will run small or large is crucial to buying the perfectly sized pair for your next bowling game. To simplify things for you, we broke down the process into the following steps:
- Note how far your hand goes into the shoe (excluding the toe area).
- If your hand goes more than halfway down, you have a small-foot bowling shoe.
- Secondly, note how deep the indentations are between your 2nd and 3rd toes.
- If your arch sticks out more than halfway out of the shoe, this indicates that it is a small-foot bowling shoe.
Moreover, if you have plenty of space between your toes and the end of your heels, you have most likely found yourself some big-foot bowling shoes.
How Do You Know What Size of Bowling Shoes to Buy?
There are certain things you can do to find your perfectly-fitting bowling shoes. Let’s start with the easiest ones.
- Simply take the size of your regular shoes and find a pair of bowling shoes that are the same size. This is an easy trick to use, but it doesn’t always give you the most accurate results.
- Secondly, measure your feet with your socks on. Stand on a level surface with your heels placed firmly against the wall at 90 degrees. Put a ruler beside your foot so that it touches the longest part of your big toe.
- Now, make a mark on the ruler closest to your toes and measure the length from this mark to the end of the ruler. This is your foot length that you need to keep in mind for the next time you find yourself looking for a new pair of bowling shoes.
- For the easiest and most fun process, you can just visit your nearest shoe store and let them measure your foot size for you.
Note: The best practice is to compare your measurement against a size chart to accomplish the best results.
Thereafter, even after you know your foot size, never go for a blind purchase. Always try on the shoes before you buy them. This will save you precious time and money in case the shoes do not fit.
Once you have measured your foot size, you want to factor wearing socks into your current shoe size. Wearing shoes that hug your feet can cause discomfort once you add socks into the mix.
Lastly, keep your comfort in mind. Sports should be a source of relaxation and fun for you. Without comfortable gear, you will end up looking forward to the end of your leisure time.
For added reassurance while choosing your correct size, walk around a little to see if the shoes are comfortable enough.
Here is a quick summary of a few things you want to consider when choosing a size for your next pair of bowling shoes:
- Foot length
- Foot width
- Comfort and support
- Sock thickness
- The fit when you try it on
How Much of a Difference Does Length Make on a Bowling Shoe?
Simply put, not much. Bowling shoe manufacturers mostly design their shoes according to the width. In simpler words, there is a standard length for each width available out there.
That’s why, when you go shopping for your bowling shoes, you just need to ensure that the width fits you. The length will follow itself.
The width-based preference and design of the bowling shoes can also mean longer ones, at times. However, unless the shoes are too long compared to your feet, the length won’t bother you.
Rather, you will have some extra room to wiggle your toes and get a better grip on the floor.
Should You Size Up in Bowling Shoes?
With bowling shoes, it is a dream come true to find a pair that fits just right.
Is sizing up a good idea? Well, there is no absolute answer to that. At times, it won’t hurt to size up a little when buying your bowling shoes.
The idea is simple: you don’t want to have your shoes fit too tight or too loose. You just want to find the fit that is comfortable enough.
However, sizing down is never recommended. It will unnecessarily put pressure on your foot and may cause bruising. It will also make your gameplay uncomfortable.
Although going bigger is not always the optimal choice, you can always bear a bigger shoe, but with a smaller one, there isn’t much you can do.
If you want to size up, we suggest that you go with a half-size up to keep things on the moderate side and avoid any drastic changes. But what is a half-size-up?
If you wear a size 7.5, a full size up will take you to 8.5, which might be too loose for your liking. On the other hand, a half-size up would take you to a solid 8, not too loose and not too tight.
Regardless, this usually comes down to personal preference. Go with whatever suits you best and whatever offers you the best comfort level.
Note: If you go for a size up, you can always fill the extra space with thicker socks. This will also provide some extra comfort. Conversely, you cannot do much with a size-down and a pair that’s too tight.
Things to Consider When Choosing Bowling Shoes
What should you know before going bowling shoe shopping? We have compiled a list of everything you need to remember to find your perfect pair.
What Size Of Shoes Do You Normally Wear?
This part is so simple that people almost always skip this step. Even though you might think you know what size you are, it is wise to always get your feet professionally measured so that you get your actual shoe size. A shoe that is too tight can not only be uncomfortable, but it could also end up giving you blisters.
On the other hand, a shoe that is too loose can indeed cause chafing, as it slides around constantly on your foot. It can also reduce your balance and grip during your games. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware of what the best size for your shoes is, and everything else is secondary.
Where Do You Go Bowling?
The environment where you go bowling plays a crucial role in deciding what kind of bowling shoes you need. If you rarely bowl at the same alley throughout a single year, a basic bowling shoe will suffice.
However, if you bowl the whole year round and go visit different bowling alleys, you should go for some high-performance bowling shoes.
They are of higher quality and are adjustable for changing environments. This helps the quality of your performance even if your environment has changed.
How competitive are you?
The type of bowling shoes you should buy highly depends on the level at which you play. If you bowl quite regularly, you should consider purchasing your own shoes.
This will save you some money in the long run. In such circumstances, you can make a one-time investment in a high-quality pair of shoes and avoid the accumulating expense of constant shoe renting.
You will end up developing an understanding of how they work. Good quality shoes will also be able to withstand the wear and tear that may occur due to your regular play.
However, if you bowl competitively, you will surely need high-performance bowling shoes to win high-end games.
Other factors that you might want to consider are if you need interchangeable sole and heel pads and how often you bowl. All these things pile up to the perfect bowling shoes for you.
FAQs
Do Brunswick Bowling Shoes Run Big or Small?
Generally, the Brunswick Bowling Shoes are accurate in their size. This means that if you normally wear a size 8 for your casual shoes, the same size 8 will fit you perfectly for Brunswick shoes.
Should You Rent or Buy Bowling Shoes?
This depends on your playing lifestyle. If you play competitively or are a regular player, you should invest in high-quality bowling shoes.
On the other hand, if you play once in a while, renting them will be a good idea. For regular players, renting bowling shoes can be costly.
Does the Bowler’s Foot Size Matter?
Yes! Your foot size is a major part of deciding the kind of shoes you will be wearing, especially your foot width since the designers create the shoes based on that.
Should You Buy Bowling Shoes Online or at a Retail Store?
If you are buying them for the first time, go to a retail store. Buying online comes with its risks. Various brands have their size charts.
But even with size charts, there are some inaccuracies. With retail stores, you can have the actual feel of the shoe before buying it.
How Much Should I Spend on Bowling Shoes?
It depends on the type and level of your playing lifestyle. But on average, you can find a good pair of shoes between $30–$60.
However, the higher-end bowling shoe brands are expensive. They may cost up to $200–$300. To start with, it’s always good to get middle-range shoes to test the waters.
The Bottom Line: It’s the Shoes that you Choose
Choose your shoes carefully, as they can help you win games. The size remains the most crucial aspect of choosing your bowling shoes. First, you need to know what size your foot is. Then, decide if you want to go with the exact size or have a size up.
Different approaches have their pros and cons. We have comprehensively sprinkled out the recipe for choosing the dream-fit bowling shoes for you.
So, ask yourself at what level you play and how often you play. These are the second most important aspects regarding choosing your bowling shoes after the sizing.