“Bowling shoes are kind of like farts. You’re proud of your own, but other people’s are kind of gross!”
Bowling alleys usually require bowling shoes to be worn. The infrequent bowler usually rents shoes from the alley. Other non-bowling shoes can damage the alley, or cause the bowler to slip and damage the bowler. There have been several jokes about bowling shoes.
“BOWLING SHOES ARE KIND OF LIKE FARTS. YOU’RE PROUD OF YOUR OWN, BUT OTHER PEOPLE’S ARE KIND OF GROSS!” (shown on an image) was posted on Facebook by The Bowling Alley on August 6, 2025. This saying is usually about children, not bowling shoes.
“the person who invented bowling: ‘oh and we’ll make them wear different shoes for no reason. clown shoes’” was posted on X/Twitter by chase on October 19, 2025, and this received over 8,400 likes.
Wikipedia: Bowling
Shoes
The sole of the non-sliding shoe is generally made of rubber for traction, while the sole of the sliding shoe is made of a smooth material allowing a smooth slide into the release. Bowling shoes can be bought, and may be rented from bowling centers. Wet or dirty soles may not slide properly and could damage the approach surface.
X/Twitter
Briana Whelan
@briwhelann
Why do people wear different shoes to go bowling? Like…do the shoes help? I’m genuinely curious about this
1:19 PM · Feb 4, 2021
X/Twitter
SpareZ Bowling
@SpareZBowling
Shoes, shoes, shoes!
Since most bowling alleys offer rental shoes, many bowlers don’t put much thought into their bowling footwear.
But why are bowling shoes so important, and why do people need to wear different shoes to bowl, anyway?
Read more—> https://zurl.co/vE8A
10:01 AM · Mar 1, 2023
X/Twitter
dahcowboy
@dahcowboy
Okay now I’m wondering why we need to wear DIFFERENT shoes whenever we play Bowling
8:36 PM · Apr 26, 2025
Facebook
The Bowling Alley
August 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM ·
Well, I wouldn’t wear my competitions bowling shoes…. just saying. 😂😂😂😂 👃👟💨
#bowlinghumor
(“BOWLING SHOES ARE KIND OF LIKE FARTS. YOU’RE PROUD OF YOUR OWN, BUT OTHER PEOPLE’S ARE KIND OF GROSS!” is shown on an image.—ed.)
Facebook
Claire Clarke
August 30, 2025 at 2:40 AM ·
What never came back after the pandemic.
I will start… Bowling shoes! All of a sudden it’s safe to wear our own. Where did all the bowling shoes go?
X/Twitter
chase
@_chase_____
the person who invented bowling: “oh and we’ll make them wear different shoes for no reason. clown shoes”
1:42 PM · Oct 19, 2025