Bowling is one of the many sports best played with the right footwear. In fact, many bowling alleys won’t even let you play without either bringing or renting a pair, as normal street shoes can mark up the alley — or worse, cause injuries. Bowling shoes are better to wear because they have sliding soles, allowing you to glide your feet as needed. Regular shoes, conversely, will not allow as much sliding and could throw off your game.

There is also more than one type of bowling shoe, and making the right choice could save you money as well as improve your game. Read on for some tips on choosing the right pair for your needs:

How Often Do You Bowl?

Don’t bowl very often? If you can count the number of times per year on one hand that you visit the local bowling alley, you can probably rely on rental shoes. Pricing varies depending on the establishment, but you shouldn’t expect to pay more than a single-digit dollar amount per session. If, however, you bowl so often that your total amount spent on shoe rentals exceeds $25 per year, you might be happier investing in your own bowling shoes. Pricing for these depends on brand and quality and roughly ranges from $25 to the hundreds.

What Is Your Bowling Style?

Most beginning and intermediate bowlers will do well with a pair of athletic bowling shoes, which are the same type you’ll find at most bowling alleys. Athletic style bowling shoes are also the cheapest option, so they’re probably the most cost-effective choice if you don’t play professionally. If, however, you become a seasoned bowler and develop a specific bowling style, there are various performance bowling shoes that are pricier but offer greater customization. The soles of these can be designed to suit either left-handed or right-handed bowlers, allowing for more control and traction.

The only thing better than bowling is pizza and bowling — a winning combination you can get at South Lanes Pizza in La Crosse, WI. Plus, their rental shoes are only $1.75 per game! If you’re interested in livening up your next party or just want to have a fun night out with friends, stop by. Call (608) 788-0830 for questions, or visit their website for pricing, coupons, and special deals.