Curling shoes are purpose-built footwear with one sliding foot and one grippy foot so you can glide smoothly on the ice while staying stable and safe during delivery.

What makes curling shoes unique?

  • One shoe has a slider sole (for your sliding foot), the other a gripper sole (for your hack foot).
  • The slider sole is flat and made from low‑friction material like Teflon/PTFE or sometimes stainless steel so you can glide on pebbled ice.
  • The gripper sole uses high‑friction rubber to give traction while you push out of the hack and when you’re sweeping or walking on the ice.
  • Many modern shoes add a reinforced toe coat to protect the upper from wear during your slide.

Handedness and basic setup

  • Right‑handed curlers (throwing with the right hand) usually have the slider on the left foot and the gripper on the right.
  • Left‑handed curlers have the slider on the right foot and the gripper on the left.
  • Some series (like Goldline Momentum) let you move Velcro‑backed sliders and grippers between feet, so you can reconfigure for left or right hand or even make double‑gripper shoes.

Types of soles and sliders

  • Standard full slider : One continuous Teflon/PTFE piece under the sliding foot, available in different thicknesses (for example 1/32", 1/16", 1/8", 1/4"). Thicker generally means faster slide.
  • Flex perimeter slider : Slider glued from toe to about mid‑ball of the foot, leaving the rest of the sole more flexible and comfortable while still giving good sliding performance. Models like Olson CrossKicks, Genesis, Zapa offer this.
  • Indent slider : Some Goldline G50 models use indents in the slider to shift weight to the perimeter of your foot, improving balance and reducing drag.
  • Split slider : One slider section under the front of the foot and another under the heel, both fully glued; examples include Goldline G50 Fuego and Olson Black CrossKicks 1/16".
  • Velcro slider system : Momentum series shoes use Velcro to attach slider and gripper pads so you can upgrade to faster sliders over time without buying new shoes.

Double‑gripper and beginner options

  • Double‑gripper shoes have rubber grippers on both feet and no slider, ideal for brand‑new curlers, coaches, or players who don’t deliver from a slide (for example some stick curlers).
  • Double‑gripper versions exist in lines like Goldline Momentum, G50 Swaggers, and Olson Zapa and CrossKicks.
  • Absolute beginners can start with clean, flat‑soled sneakers and slip‑on sliders and grippers, but dedicated curling shoes quickly feel safer and more consistent.

Fit, comfort, and shoe base

  • Fit and comfort are described as the most important factors: every brand and model fits differently, and you need snug heel lock but enough room in the toe box.
  • Some curlers with wide or narrow feet look for regular vs wide lasts or even extra‑wide (4E) options or custom builds.
  • If you convert regular shoes into curling shoes, flatter and smoother soles are much easier to work with for mounting Teflon sliders and rubber grippers; heavily sculpted or very curved soles can compromise performance.

Popular brands and what players say

  • Common brands carried by pro shops include Goldline, Asham, BalancePlus, Hardline, and Olson.
  • Curlers on forums mention models like BalancePlus 904 as lighter, more comfortable successors to older “Deluxe” designs, while still keeping a sturdy upper and durable toe coat.
  • Newer lines like Goldline Momentum (and upcoming Momentum Dash, Charge, and Dart) are highlighted for their modular Velcro slider systems and athletic‑style comfort.

Mini buying guide (quick scoop style)

  • Decide your level:
    • New to league play → double‑gripper or slower, thinner slider.
* Competitive or confident slider → thicker, faster slider, maybe flex or split designs.
  • Check your handedness so slider and gripper are on the correct feet or choose a configurable Velcro system.
  • Focus on fit first (length, width, and arch); performance upgrades can come from sliders and toe coats later.
  • If you are tempted to convert a favorite sneaker or trail shoe, make sure the outsole is fairly flat so a technician can mount slider and gripper plates properly.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.