Left-Handed Bowling Shoes: How to Choose the Right Pair

Left-handed bowlers need a bowling shoe whose slide sole sits under the right foot. Many performance bowling shoes are sold in a right- or left-handed version, so the choice matters. This guide explains which foot a left-hander slides on, how left-handed bowling shoes are set up and which options you have.

Which foot does a left-handed bowler slide on?

You slide on the foot opposite your bowling hand. A right-handed bowler slides on the left foot at the release, a left-handed bowler on the right foot. The other foot pushes off during the approach.

How bowling shoes are set up for left-handers

Performance bowling shoes usually have a smooth slide sole under the sliding foot and a rubber traction sole under the other foot for grip. In a left-handed shoe, the slide sole is under the right shoe and the traction sole under the left shoe, the reverse of a right-handed shoe.

If you wear a right-handed pair as a left-hander, you slide on the traction sole and push off on the slide sole. Your sliding foot then stops abruptly instead of gliding into the release, which makes a consistent approach difficult.

Your options as a left-handed bowler

Left-handed performance shoes

Many performance models are available in a right- and a left-handed version. Look for the label "left-handed" or "LH" in the product name or details. If a listing does not state the hand, ask the retailer before you order.

Interchangeable soles

Some performance shoes have removable soles and heels that fit either shoe. You attach the slide sole to the right shoe and the traction sole to the left. You can also swap in slide soles of different speeds to adapt your slide to the approach. More on this in our article on interchangeable soles.

A slide sole under both shoes

Rental shoes and many athletic bowling shoes have the same sole under both shoes, so they suit right- and left-handed bowlers alike. There is no need to choose a hand when you order.

BOWLIO bowling shoes take this approach in genuine leather: a full-length leather sole with a slide sole under both shoes makes them suitable for left- and right-handed bowlers, from beginners to professionals. The upper is genuine leather too, and the white heel with the embossed logo is non-marking.

Fit tips for left-handed bowlers

• Measure both feet. If they differ in size, choose the size for the larger foot.
• Pay attention to the sliding foot. For a left-hander, the right foot carries the slide, so it needs a secure fit.
• Get used to the slide before a league night. Bowl a few practice games in new shoes to learn how the slide sole behaves on the approach.

For converting between US, EU and UK sizes, see our bowling shoe size guide.

Further reading: Bowling shoe buying guide · Slide soles explained