BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Bags, Shoes, Accessories => Topic started by: bigdaddy1808 on April 16, 2022, 08:56:44 AM
-
I was looking for some input on new shoes. I've always worn dexter shoes, whatever variant of the sst. I'm seeing pretty much everything is switched over to the boa system instead of laces. Has anyone had any experience with brunswick's or KR Strikeforce's version of interchangeable soaled shoes? My problem is looking for size 14 wide.
-
I can’t help you here. I wear 3GS and find them more durable and comfortable than dexters. I’m not sure they come in 14 wide.
-
I am over the moon happy with the Sst 9 HT boa, the color change one.
They make wide up to 14, and the shoe is decently roomy in regular width, I'd imagine the wide would be great for someone with wide feet.
Got them when they first came out....so almost 2 seasons worth of use, no issues with the boa, I don't think I'd ever go back to reg lace ups and am actively looking for boa regular shoes lol. Only issue with these is the price.
The KRs didn't cut the mustard for me...got the lime green/black ones...just felt cheap, and the slide pads no matter what I did, I couldn't get the right combo for me of slide pads and heels. Dexter definitely outclasses the KRs....
-
Just got my first pair of KR shoes after being a Dexter guy for a lot of years. They aren't really comparable, but not necessarily in ways of one being better than the other because style differences.
Old pair was Dexter SST8 Power Frame BOA's, absolutely love the BOA, but the shoe base with Dexter is pretty meh at best, but aftermarket insoles help quite a bit. Sole and Heel combo's are hard to beat here, Dexter has a well oiled machine in terms of options.
New Pair, Motiv Flash (similar to the KR Tour Knits), they aren't boa's, but a knit shoe so the there isn't a tongue, and they are like a sock at the top. They have a really nice insole and are really comfortable walking around in. Sole and heel options aren't as plentiful as the Dexter ones, but you can toss any dexter sole or heel on them and use them as if they were dexters.
I'm going to give the motiv shoes a good workout and report back later, but initially I like them despite having to compromise without the BOA for now.
-
Thank you for the replies so far guys. Just wish dexter would keep one or two performance shoes simple lace up.
-
Thank you for the replies so far guys. Just wish dexter would keep one or two performance shoes simple lace up.
What's wrong with the boas? Have you had one become broken?
-
I'm just a simple man who wants simple things.... ;D
I'll have to take a closer look at them.
-
Used Dexters for years and the first time i bought some Strike Force shoes under Brunswick i was really surprised. Dexters aren't that comfortable and are very much like dress shoes. You don't really notice it till trying something else.
Strike Force shoes are more like tennis shoes. I really liked that.
I use a mix and match of heels and soles from Dexter and Strike Force to get whats needed depending on the approaches i may face
-
I'm a 3G Ultra Tour guy. I talked my dad into getting a pair of Ultra Tour. He wears a 9EEE shoe. He went with a 9 1/2 and fit him great.
-
I got the Team Brunswick shoes right after they launched and they're holding up pretty well. They also come with a few real leather soles, unlike Dexter and KR who use microfiber soles. I don't find them to be quite as roomy as my old Dexter 6's, but the performance is as good, if not better. My only complaint is that they're pretty boring to look at, but at least they're not garishly ugly like some other options.
-
I got the Team Brunswick shoes right after they launched and they're holding up pretty well. They also come with a few real leather soles, unlike Dexter and KR who use microfiber soles. I don't find them to be quite as roomy as my old Dexter 6's, but the performance is as good, if not better. My only complaint is that they're pretty boring to look at, but at least they're not garishly ugly like some other options.
I really liked the Team Brunswick bowling shoes, but the slide shoe has completely cracked in half after 2 years of use. I got them for $100, so I guess I can't be too mad.
-
I used to buy the cheapest Kmart shoes on the block, I think they were $24.99, but would go on sale for like $19.99 once in a while. When I was a youth, they would last about one season.
When I finally bought my first pair of left handed Dexter shoes, they were 7x more expensive and again only lasted 1 year. That seemed to be the norm for me as they've all gotten ruined.
I've had toes pop through and soles split.
I stopped buying expensive bowling shoes and my pair now cost me $69.99 and they've lasted for a few years. They are 3G.
-
As someone who has worked for a bowling distributor; I had access to all the shoes on the market. I tried on all the high end shoes and the ones that stood out in a big way for me were the 3G Tour Ultras. I was a Linds guy for the better part of 20 years until Linds virtually disappeared. I gave the Dexter SST-8s a try and they felt like I was standing on a 2x4. I remembered a pro shop owner I knew that had been a Dexter guy and he told me when he switched to 3G; it was a night and day difference and said he would not go back to wearing Dexter. That was what prompted me to try the 3Gs and I am glad I did. They are super comfortable and have lasted me the past 5 years. The only issue is that the toe cap recently came off which is a known issue with that shoe. However; with a little sandpaper and gorilla glue; the shoe is like new again. The sole has remained intact and the leather has shown zero signs of wear. For the record; I have kept the shoes in the black carrying case as well as the box they came in off the shelf for double the protection.
-
I’m still using ABS tour ultras from how many years gone by, still great
-
I think it's widely accepted that the 3G Tour Ultras are more comfortable than SSTs, but good God are they one of the ugliest shoes I've ever seen. I had the old style SST8 they were still in perfect condition after 8+seasons, I just wanted to upgrade to the 9s for looks. The 9s are significantly less "blocky", much lighter, but still far from a tennis shoe if we're being completely honest.
I have the BOA system, and am a huge fan. It's so quick an easy. I'm probably a bit biased due to previously being a snowboarder, which is where Boa made it's name in the industry. Which should really help quell any concerns about durability. The C9 Knits look like they could potentially be more comfortable, but I have no complaints about the SST9, and I don't cover enough distance in my bowling shoes for concerns to really pop up.
If I had to run a mile in my bowling shoes, then I'd probably have some major concerns or complaints, but the 10 steps from my seat to the approach, is not enough for me to ever even notice the shoes on my feet.
The 8s use to come with a whole sole\slide combination pack which was awesome. The 9s come with only 1 slide and 1 heel, which was disappointing given the price we pay.
Don't let the Boa system dissuade you. If you prefer the comfort of the 3Gs, completely understandable, but lace system should not be the deciding factor, in my opinion. Best of luck.