what type of shoes do curlers wear
Curlers wear specialized curling shoes that are designed to both slide on ice and grip it, depending on what the player is doing at the moment.
The basic idea
- Each curler has one sliding foot and one gripping foot.
- The sliding shoe lets them glide smoothly during delivery of the stone.
- The gripper shoe keeps them stable when walking or sweeping on the ice.
Key features of curling shoes
- Two different soles:
- Slider sole: usually Teflon or similar plastic/metal, very smooth so it glides easily on the ice.
* Gripper sole: rubber, textured to give traction and prevent slipping.
- Handedness matters:
- Rightâhanded curlers typically have the slider on the left foot and gripper on the right.
- Leftâhanded curlers use the opposite setup.
- Toe protection:
- Many curling shoes have a reinforced or coated toe to handle dragging the toe during delivery and to protect the shoe from wear.
- Warmth and comfort:
- Insulation, good fit, and support are important because games are long and played on cold ice.
What beginners wear
If someone is new and doesnât own curling shoes yet, most clubs are happy with:
- Clean, flatâsoled sneakers or tennis shoes that donât track dirt onto the ice.
- The club may provide removable rubber âgrippersâ and a slipâon slider that go over those shoes to mimic real curling footwear.
Small HTML table summary
| Type of footwear | Who uses it | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Specialized curling shoes (slider + gripper) | Regular / competitive curlers | [8][1][5]Optimal sliding on one foot, strong grip on the other |
| Clean, flatâsoled sneakers | Beginners, firstâtimers | [9][10][7]Basic grip; used with slipâon sliders and grippers |
| Slipâon sliders & rubber grippers | New players or rentals | [10][7]Add temporary slide or traction over regular shoes |
