win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Bowling Shoes Heel Height  (Read 6236 times)

EG

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« on: August 31, 2018, 09:16:32 PM »
I am planning on ordering my first pair of bowling shoes that have interchangeable soles and heels, hoping to relieve some soreness in my knees when going from center to center. My current shoes, regular $40 KR Strikeforce, they are mainly flat from sole to heel.

For those who have these kind of shoes, is there any sort of heel height difference from sole to heel?

I am planning on getting the Dexter SST 6 Hybrid.

 

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24523
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2018, 03:43:43 PM »
I am planning on ordering my first pair of bowling shoes that have interchangeable soles and heels, hoping to relieve some soreness in my knees when going from center to center. My current shoes, regular $40 KR Strikeforce, they are mainly flat from sole to heel.

For those who have these kind of shoes, is there any sort of heel height difference from sole to heel?

I am planning on getting the Dexter SST 6 Hybrid.


While your current shoes may have a flat surface going from toe to heel, I guarantee there is a height difference between your heel and your toe. They haven't made truly flat shoes for may be 3 or 4 HUNDRED years.

I am not sure if you just want to see a flat surface from heel to toe or you actually think you want a shoe with zero height difference between toe and heel.

FYI there is a difference in height between the heel and the toe in some manufatcturer's brand.
For example: in the Brunswick TPU-x the difference in height between the heel and the toe was about 3/8" larger than the difference in the height between heel and toe of the Dexter SST-8.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

thedjs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1017
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2018, 06:35:18 PM »
I am planning on ordering my first pair of bowling shoes that have interchangeable soles and heels, hoping to relieve some soreness in my knees when going from center to center. My current shoes, regular $40 KR Strikeforce, they are mainly flat from sole to heel.





For those who have these kind of shoes, is there any sort of heel height difference from sole to heel?

I am planning on getting the Dexter SST 6 Hybrid.


While your current shoes may have a flat surface going from toe to heel, I guarantee there is a height difference between your heel and your toe. They haven't made truly flat shoes for may be 3 or 4 HUNDRED years.

I am not sure if you just want to see a flat surface from heel to toe or you actually think you want a shoe with zero height difference between toe and heel.

FYI there is a difference in height between the heel and the toe in some manufatcturer's brand.
For example: in the Brunswick TPU-x the difference in height between the heel and the toe was about 3/8" larger than the difference in the height between heel and toe of the Dexter SST-8.

Do you think that going from a shoe like the Brunswick with the higher heel down to a shoe like the Dexter would affect your slide?  I'm asking because I went to a Dexter shoe after years of using Lind's.  There is noticeable difference in the heels between those two shoes and I seem to have a problem sliding as much as I used to.  I don't have the Lind's anymore so I can't make a comparison.  Probably not the reason but I'd just like to have another's opinion.   Thanks.

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8451
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2018, 06:37:38 PM »
EG--Here is one factor you need to identify.  Are you a whole foot slider or a up on the ball of your slide foot? 

I am a whole foot slider being a mature bowler in my late 60's we learned to bowl ala Mike Durbin style shoulders more back and not thrown forward to gain maximum leverage next to our slide foot with rubber, poly, urethane and then resin. Mike Durbin bowling Firestone 1983.  Video should explain what I mean.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0fyZMxja2E  (BTW wood approaches and Linds Classics made sliding whole foot much easier once you got the Linds Classics rubber heel worn a bit.)  Back then bowlers needed to create the hook with technique....different era different lane conditions but that's why you will see many mature bowlers slide with their whole foot.  Now the equipment creates the hook.  The modern game is more shoulders forward and majority of bowlers sliding on the ball of their foot hence heel height becomes less of a factor. 

I tried TPU-X's and got rid of them as I could not get used to the higher heel height same with Dexter's.  I went back to 3G Tour Ultra's as that design is the least difference between slide sole and heel. 

If you are using a less expensive shoe then you are probably used to a flat sole/heel.  I would try on some 3G's at a pro shop and see if they might work for you.  They come in various price points but I'd look at the interchangeable soles (Tour Ultra's and Sport Ultra's).  See http://3gbowling.com/  you can see from the images on the site there is less sole and heel height difference than Dexter's or TPU-X or whatever they are called now. 

Hope that helps!
Scott

avabob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2777
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2018, 06:45:04 PM »
Depending on what was causing pain with your old shoes,  using a leather heel may be of more benefut than anything. 

Incidentally,  since previous poster kept mentioning it, creating hook requires technique regardless of the ball being thrown.   Hook comes from creating axis rotation, and revs.  Both require technique.   

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24523
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2018, 08:17:06 AM »
I am planning on ordering my first pair of bowling shoes that have interchangeable soles and heels, hoping to relieve some soreness in my knees when going from center to center. My current shoes, regular $40 KR Strikeforce, they are mainly flat from sole to heel.





For those who have these kind of shoes, is there any sort of heel height difference from sole to heel?

I am planning on getting the Dexter SST 6 Hybrid.


While your current shoes may have a flat surface going from toe to heel, I guarantee there is a height difference between your heel and your toe. They haven't made truly flat shoes for may be 3 or 4 HUNDRED years.

I am not sure if you just want to see a flat surface from heel to toe or you actually think you want a shoe with zero height difference between toe and heel.

FYI there is a difference in height between the heel and the toe in some manufatcturer's brand.
For example: in the Brunswick TPU-x the difference in height between the heel and the toe was about 3/8" larger than the difference in the height between heel and toe of the Dexter SST-8.

Do you think that going from a shoe like the Brunswick with the higher heel down to a shoe like the Dexter would affect your slide?  I'm asking because I went to a Dexter shoe after years of using Lind's.  There is noticeable difference in the heels between those two shoes and I seem to have a problem sliding as much as I used to.  I don't have the Lind's anymore so I can't make a comparison.  Probably not the reason but I'd just like to have another's opinion.   Thanks.

Unlike Scott, I had no problem with the height of the TPU-Xs over the Dexters. Make no mistake: I still liked the Dexters; I just like the TPU-Xs more.
I am also a full shoe slider, with lots of arthritis in both feet. So I always use a special sole insert to provide better support of the arch and the whole foot in general, in every shoe.

The extra height of the heel can push your toes more forward in the shoe if you wear your laces on the looser side. PLUS a lot depends of the actual internal physical structure of your foot; like hands and faces, everyone's is slightly different.
Yes, the height can affect the slide, for the above reasons and also just because of the nature of the human being.

You might want to try a friend's shoe, to play totally on the safe side. Just trying it one won't tell you all the potential differences. I think you have to actually slide a game or two to see if the new shoe feeling disappears and you are comfortable, and don't give them a 2nd thought while bowling. That's true of every bowling shoe.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

JazlarVonSteich

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 419
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2018, 10:28:33 AM »
I bought the new Team Brunswick shoes and I definitely had an issue with the heels. The extra height was not something I factored in. I can't use the rubber heels at all. I'd be on my face. I use the orange leather one. Luckily it works. On the flip side, the red one with the Dexters was way too much slide for me. So definitely consider the height.

MotivAYo

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 27
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2018, 02:12:49 PM »
Try some 3G's. They feel lower to the ground and more balanced. The heel's don't stick up as high either. My uncle used Linds for years and switched to the 3G's too.
Adam Yoshii
MOTIV Bowling, VISE Inserts, and Logo Infusion Staff Member
Just Bowling Pro Shop

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8451
Re: Bowling Shoes Heel Height
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2018, 06:31:36 PM »
I wouldn't worry about the heel height, you'll get use to it. You get a thinner heal with the full blown SST8 (red felt heel), not sure about the next gen and the SST8 retro comes as is.

I went from $40 shoes to Dexter SST8's in 2011 and what a difference. This shoe has great support when sliding. Like the sole is thicker or stiffer and I'm able to put lots of pressure down and keep my balance when sliding. Doesn't make my foot sore. I have another pair as well but the SST8 Retro which I like better and it's cheaper.

I didn't care for the 3G shoes. Tried a friends pair one night when I forgot my shoes and the sole was thinner, more flexible plus I had trouble keeping balanced while sliding and it made my foot sore.

I probably just use to the Dexter SST8 and it fell into my comfort zone.
Just for giggles, try and bowl in a pair of house shoes and you'll feel the difference.



I'll disagree.  You won't get used to high heel height.  I tried TPU-X's and tried them for over a month some of the worst bowling of the last few years because of the poorly fit shoes if you are whole foot slider which I am.  All depends on  the OP's slide and needs.   
Scott