So you’ve made the decision to start bowling more often, but you’re worried about how safe the sport is because you’re not wearing any protective gear. We’re here to tell you that not only is bowling protective gear not required by most bowling alleys, but you should wear some anyway. Here’s why.
When you think of bowling, you probably picture yourself wearing a jersey and bowling shoes and throwing a few frames with your friends. But what you may have forgotten is that bowling actually counts as a strenuous workout. A standard game consists of 10 frames and involves rolling a heavy ball up to 15 pounds down a lane and trying to knock down as many pins as possible. When it comes to bowling, you’re using not just your arms, but also your shoulders, back, legs, and core to make the ball go where you want it to go.
Because bowling can put so much strain on your arms, shoulders, back, and legs, it’s smart to wear protective gear. Not only will these items help protect you against injury, but they also often have additional features like padding, ventilation, and moisture-wicking properties that can make the sport more comfortable.
Read on for the best bowling protective gear.
Our Editor’s Best Bowling Protective Gear Reviews
- Multiple Pockets for Sufficient Space - The CIIHARS bowling ball backpack has enough space to store all your bowling accessories & equipment. 1 front compartment to hold 1 bowling ball and 1 shoe compartment for a pair of bowling shoes.1 more on the back can easily store towels or clothes. 1 side vent pockets perfect to storewater bottle,1 side zipp pocket perfect to store wallets, keys and other small items
- Protect Your Bowling Ball Well - The biggest compartment which is for holding bowling ball is equipped with a removeable foam padded to cushion and protect your expensive bowling ball from damage. Besides, there are a buckle in bowling bag to provide stability and reduce tear and wear during the way to the bowling alley or going back home
- CONVENIENT USB&HEADSET PORT DESIGN - Bowling Backpack Offers a USB Charging Port Outside.Great For Charging Your Phone Or Other Electronic Devices While Walking.(Please Note That The Power Bank Is Not Included In This USB Bowling Backpack). And The Headphone Interface Frees Your Hands When Enjoying Audios, Music, Etc.
- Backpack With Shoe Compartment - The top compartment of the bowling package can hold a pair of shoes up to US mens 16 and separate your shoes from other items and keep the stink out. Keeps your things well organized also more convenient for you to put it in or take it out without messing up the other equipment you have already packed.
- Carry Your Gear Comfortably - Adjustable shoulder with pad strap can reduce the stress of your shoulder and allows you to carry the bowling bag with ease. The waist buckle design keep your bowling ball bag steady. Also the breathable mesh back which improve the air circulation on the back can provide comfortable carrying experience
- MICROFIBER BOWLING SEE-SAW TOWEL: Comes in black color. With a spherical shape and 2 long handles. Made of soft and high-quality microfiber fabric designed to work on most bowling bowl sizes and weights.
- USE SEE-SAW MOTION TO POLISH YOUR BOWLING BOWL: Place the bowling ball inside the bowling seesaw. Move the seesaw handle up and down alternately. In just a matter of seconds, you’ll polish your bowling balls to a shine!
- HIGH-QUALITY MICROFIBER SHAMMY: Durable and ultra-absorbent. The microfiber fabric is highly efficient and effective in removing dirt, oil, and lane conditioner. It also has moisture-wicking technology that absorbs and locks liquids up to 7 times more than regular shammies.
- PROTECTS BOWLING BALLS FROM SCRATCHES: This specially-designed bowling ball is not only for cleaning and polishing. It’s a perfect cover for your bowling balls from scratching or other surface damage while inside your bowling bag.
- MACHINE WASHABLE BOWLING BALL TOWEL: Don’t worry about this bowling ball shammy unraveling in the wash. This towel has reinforced stitching for increased durability, ensuring that the bowling ball shammy can survive numerous washes.
- Functionality Meets Vibrant Design: enjoy 4 pieces of quality microfiber funny bowling towels featuring bowling themed designs, there are black, gray, blue and red colors; These vibrant towels visually enhance your bowling experience, while their practicality ensures uninterrupted play; Each towel is designed with a grommet and clip, making it a compact, easy to carry accessory that integrates with your bowling gear
- A Stroke of Quality microfiber: these bowling towels are constructed with microfiber material, with exceptional water absorption, washable and reusable, sturdy and lasting, can absorb oil stains, sweat stains, water stains, and remove dirt, grass, and sand from your balls, making them an essential accessory for your bowling games, providing you a pleasant game experience
- Ideal Size to Suit Your Bowling Needs: with a size of approximately 16 x 24 inches, these bowling supplies strike the balance between functionality and portability; They are compact enough to take with you wherever you bowl, yet large enough to adequately clean your bowling balls
- Novelty Theme Design: don't just settle for routine, extend your love for bowling to these bowling towels for women men; They boast 4 different embroidered bowling themed patterns that serve both decorative and practical purposes, adding style to your game while keeping your bowling balls clean
- Celebrate Bowling Lover: package includes 4 bowling towels to wipe off ball, making them the ideal gift for anyone in your life who loves the sport; Show your recipients just how much you care by offering them these stylish, bowling themed towels as a present on birthdays or holidays
- Multiple Pockets for Sufficient Space: The Bosynoy bowling ball backpack has enough space to store all your bowling accessories & equipment. 1 front compartment to hold 1 bowling ball and 1 shoe compartment for a pair of bowling shoes. 1 more on the back can easily store towels or clothes. 2 side zipper pockets and 2 vent pockets on each side are perfect to store wallets, keys, water bottle and other small items
- Protect Your Bowling Ball Well: The biggest compartment which is for holding bowling ball is equipped with a removeable foam padded to cushion and protect your expensive bowling ball from damage. Besides, there are a buckle in bowling bag to provide stability and reduce tear and wear during the way to the bowling alley or going back home
- Backpack With Shoe Compartment: The top compartment of the bowling package can hold a pair of shoes up to US mens 16 and separate your shoes from other items and keep the stink out. Keeps your things well organized also more convenient for you to put it in or take it out without messing up the other equipment you have already packed. The two sides mesh pockets can carry water bottles, umbrella, Etc
- Carry Your Gear Comfortably: Padded shoulder strap can reduce the stress of your shoulder and allows you to carry the bowling bag with ease. The waist buckle design keep your bowling ball bag steady. Also the breathable mesh back which improve the air circulation on the back can provide comfortable carrying experience
- High-Quality Materials & Multipurpose: Made of sturdy materials to ensure that it can withstand heavy weight. A smooth zipper helps you take out your items easily. Not only can be used to hold bowling balls, but also can used as a backpack for other outdoor activities, such as hiking or camping. Also for men, womens, college as a gym backpack. Dimension of bowling backpack: 12”x11”x19.5”
- Bowling thumb sleeve--easy to clean and maintain, it's always ready for use, lightweight and compact design for a comfortable fit in the hand,competition bowling gloves
- Adaptable bowling gloves--small and lightweight design makes it easy to carry wherever you go, allowing protection at all times when needed,sports bowling gloves
- Fixed bowling gloves--easy-to-wash and store, making it an essential addition to your bowling bag,compact bowling gloves
- White bowling gloves--made from soft and breathable materials, it offers comfort for long hours of play,elastic bowling gloves
- Black bowling gloves--its soft and breathable materials offer added comfort and maximum ventilation,home-use bowling gloves
- 【Safe & Comfortable】This bowling thumb tape is safe and comfortable, effectively protecting fingers and joints without restricting their movement. It can prevent fingers from being scratched during movement and avoid calluses or blisters caused by prolonged friction
- 【Premium Material】These bowling finger tapes, made of premium cotton and featuring stretchability, flexibility, and breathability, can effectively prevent skin bruising. They can tightly fit the fingers without stiffness, ensuring more precise and controllable release
- 【Easy to Use】This bowling finger protection tape is easy to use. It adopts a self adhesive design, so you can just tear off the backing and stick it wherever you need. It can be directly attached to the back of your fingers or wrapped around the joints of your fingers
- 【You Will Get】You will get 40 pieces of blue bowling finger tape, enough for your daily use. They are portable in size and easy to fit into pockets and bags. You can carry them with you when going to bowling alleys or outdoor activities for easy access at any time
- 【Buy with Confidence】TKYPZY is committed to providing customers with quality products and caring services. If you have any questions during the use of our products, please tell us by email. If you are not satisfied with our products, we will definitely try our best to solve them. Customers' satisfaction is our greatest pursuit
- Meets ASTM and other standards
- Approved to be used in all grades from elementary school to universities
- Approved for the thousands of children and adults in leagues throughout the United States
- Bowler's Helper: These bowling thumb tapes are suitable for bowling enthusiasts, help to keep your fingers from friction while bowling, and can also be applied to scratchy areas to keep them clean
- Comfortable Feeling: Our bowling thumb tape is made of soft material that feels like a second skin to the touch, easily stretches and fits your fingers for a comfortable use experience
- Much Quantity: Value pack, each pack contains 100 pieces of bowling tape thumb, size 2.95x0.98inch/7.5x2.5cm. meet the needs of you, your family and friends for multiple games, let you enjoy the thrill of bowling to the fullest
- Strong Adhesion: Our bowling thumb tape are made with sports adhesive for extra strength. Even if your hands are sweaty, it won't fall apart, ensuring a long-lasting and reliable bond throughout the game
- Widely Applicable: Bowling finger tape is a practical accessory for both outdoor and indoor sports, preventing scratches and cuts to the fingers during sports and exercises
- 2-Ball Bowling Backpack: Features a large open compartments that can easily accommodate 2 bowling balls and a pair of shoes, the bowling ball bag backpack has a T-shaped dividers and 2 padded ball caps to stabilize the bowling balls. Comes with a drawstring bag that fits for shoes up to size 16
- Organized Storage: The Bowling bags Backpack for 2 ball features 2 front pockets, including one with a water-resistant lining for wet items, plus an additional zippered section. Side zipper and mesh pockets hold water bottles or cleaners. An anti-theft pocket ensures valuables like keys and wallets are safe and accessible when needed
- Compression-reducing Design: This double bowling ball bag features thick, breathable back padding, 3D compression-reducing shoulder straps, and an adjustable chest buckle to minimize the load. Even when carrying two heavy bowling balls, its thoughtful design ensures excellent weight distribution, providing comfort for long hours of wear during travel or competition
- Premium Quality: Crafted from water-resistant polyester, reinforced with heavy-duty stitching and durable metal hardware, the bowling backpacks for men protects contents from light rain or splashes. Laminated layers add thickness and cushioning, while five semi-circular feet provide stability when placed on the ground, ensuring a secure and long-lasting
- Travel & Competition Ready: Whether you're traveling or heading to a competition, the ergonomic design and spacious compartments ensure you can carry everything you need with ease. The bowling bag's long-lasting construction and organized storage solutions make it the ideal choice for serious bowlers on the go
- LARGE CAPACITY: This double-layer bowling bag features a main compartment for two balls, a small front pocket, two side mesh water bottle pockets, and a dedicated shoe compartment (breathable and fits men's shoes up to size 16). These pockets make it easy to store a variety of items, such as bowling ball cleaning fluid, dry powder, spare socks, wrist guards, towels, phone, keys, ball straps, and more.
Best Bowling Protective Gear Buying Guide
Before choosing the best bowling protective gear you should consider following options:
1. Bowling shoes: The first thing you should buy as a bowler is a good pair of shoes. They must fit well and be comfortable.
If you have narrow feet, look for shoes that have a narrow last. If you have wide feet, look for shoes with a wide last.
You should also look for a pair that meets your specific needs. For instance, if you bowl on a synthetic lane, you will want to purchase bowling shoes with a special sole to help you keep your grip on the lane.
If you bowl on wood, you will need shoes with a special rubber sole that won’t slip on the wood.
2. Bowling shirts: You should be sure to wear a comfortable shirt that wicks away moisture. Cotton is not the best choice here.
Instead, look for shirts made of synthetic materials. Look for a shirt that has a tail, so it doesn’t ride up during your delivery.
You also want a shirt that has a loose, relaxed fit. A tight shirt can throw off your delivery.
3. Bowling gloves: Gloves are essential to keep your hands protected from the friction of the bowling ball. They also help you keep your grip on the ball.
You should look for a glove that is snug, but not too tight. You want to be able to feel the ball in your hand so you can get a good feel for the delivery.
You also want a glove that is durable and made from quality materials. You will be throwing many balls in a night, so you need a glove that is up to the challenge.
4. Protective gear: You will want to wear protective gear if you bowl in leagues with bumpers or if you like to throw heavy balls.
This is essential to avoid damage to your body. You can purchase chest protectors, arm guards, and leg guards.
You should also wear a helmet when you bowl. The ball can get very heavy when it hits the pin deck, so you want to protect your head.
You can purchase a helmet with a built-in facemask or buy a regular helmet and attach a facemask.
5. Other essential gear: Other essential items you will want to have with you include a towel to dry your hands after throwing the ball, a change of clothes in case you get wet, and a change of shoes to wear after your game.
What else you should know about bowling protective gear
1. What kind of protective gear do I need when bowling?
A bowling ball, bowling shoes, and a bowling alley.
2. How do I know if the protective gear I’m using is effective?
If you are unsure if the protective gear you are using is effective, you can always ask a supervisor or safety officer. They will be able to tell you if the gear is effective for the task you are performing.
3. How often should I replace my bowling protective gear?
Most bowling alleys will have staff that can help you with this question, as they will be familiar with the amount of wear and tear that your gear goes through. Generally, it is recommended that you replace your bowling shoes every few years, and your bowling ball every few months. Your other gear, such as your glove, bag, and wrist guard, can last much longer, but should be replaced if they start to show signs of wear and tear.
4. What are the consequences of not wearing protective gear while bowling?
The consequences of not wearing protective gear while bowling are that you could get injured if you are hit by a bowling ball. You could also damage the equipment if you are not wearing protective gear.
5. How can I properly care for my bowling protective gear?
To properly care for your bowling protective gear, make sure to clean it after each use. You can use a mild soap and water solution to clean your gear, and then let it air dry.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best bowling protective gear. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best bowling protective gear will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.