Current Events > Should I buy a bowling ball first, or bowling shoes?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I'm thinking shoes would be the better investment at this time.

1) dont have to rent nasty used shoes, 2) I'm still not sure what size ball is best for me, and 3) it doesnt cost anything to use a house ball anyway.

So shoes i guess lol unless you got a rrason why i should get ball first. Any recommendations? Cheap shoe would work fine. Anything seems better than the used shoes ew.
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Shoes, definitely, for all the reasons you listed. If you don't think that you want to get seriously into bowling, then just go with something cheap and functional. If you think you might be getting serious, get a pair with a sliding sole and a gripping sole, something like this: https://www.bowling.com/products/dexter-mens-pro-am-ii-right-hand.htm

I was looking for something cheap since I'm not too serious. $30-$40 range. Wide foot. Comfortable slide (house shoes fuck up my knee).

Been reviewing Brunswick, Storm, and Dexter brands. Any suggestions with these filters?
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Like these, but cheaper

https://www.bowling.com/products/brunswick-mens-frenzy-black-red.htm
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A bowling shirt
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This is the best deal I see: https://www.bowling.com/products/dexter-mens-ricky-iii-black-alloy-wide-width.htm

edit: although the size selection on that is limited, might need to go with the newer model: https://www.bowling.com/products/dexter-mens-ricky-iv-black-alloy-wide-width.htm

https://www.bowling.com/products/dexter-mens-ricky-iv-black-alloy-wide-width.htm

I just might go with that one since my size is available. Trying to find a discount code or free shipping.

Btw, never really thought much about apparel. Would a bowling shirt really help my game? How about pants or gloves?

O free shipping on this item. Nice.
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As long as you already have clothing that you can move freely in there's no need to buy bowling-specific pants or shirts. The main function of bowling shirts is for team unity (or advertising, at the pro level).

Gloves can be functional, although not very many pros use them. Pete Weber is the major exception that I can think of. I would get a ball long before gloves, personally.

Ok, I'll focus on these shoes then. Sucks that there is a return fee. Idk if they'll even fit.
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Another question: how long would cheap shoes like these last? I want to save money, but $40 when i only go on $2 Tuesdays would mean I have to go at least 20 times before it pays for itself. Some people say the soles on bowling shoes need replacing after a month
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Hmm. My first pair of cheap bowling shoes lasted me until I was ready to get a pair with a push-off sole, and that was at least several months. But that was also over a decade ago; I don't know what current quality is like. I can say that I only change my soles on my SST9's about every year (SST9's have interchangeable soles), and that's with weekly bowling. I also have a shoe brush, which is nice for maintaining the soles.

Well i only go bowling an average of once a month.

Ugh, seems like it's not so worth it anymore, but I'm just being cheap lol. I still don't want to wear the used lane shoes anymore.
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Lets be real, youre not going to get either
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So i found and purchased it from Walmart. No extra charge for returns.

Next concern is regarding care/maintenance. Where should I store it? How can I protect it? I hear if you step in spilled soda then your shoes are fucked.
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Keep them in a bag where they won't get contaminated. Only wear them on the lanes. If you're going outside, cover them or change to your street shoes. If you're going to the bathroom, or even the bar/food area, cover them or change to your street shoes.

It's not impossible to rescue a sole that's been seriously contaminated, but it is a pain in the butt. Contaminated soles won't slide.

Lol now I feel bad cuz when I rent shoes I go to the bathroom in them.

But what counts as contamination? Sometimes there are water spills. How can I clean them.

Btw thanks for all the info
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3khc posted...

Lol now I feel bad cuz when I rent shoes I go to the bathroom in them.

You and everyone else. Why do you think they don't slide?

(also, rental shoes tend to have soles that are more durable and less susceptible to contamination--but also less good at sliding)

I figured as much. No wonder my knee sometimes hurting after a game. Abrupt stop.
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