Registered: Jan 2015
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Posts: 1

Im going to the store to buy new shoes this week, but i dont know what kind to get! im a tucker and if i dont tuck im at least on my toe. My coach tells me that asham ulteralite and podium golds would be great for me. He didnt give me full details. Im going to go with 1/4 sliders, but do i get donuts or half sliders? and which of the two shoes are best for my type of delivery?

Thanks so much !

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Posts: 99

In my personal opinion, I'd get the Asham's with a ring disc or donut as you called it. I tuck, and I love the balance and straightness of this set up. If your budget is allowing it, buy something with real leather like the Legacy, Slam, or Tour Ultralites. If you slide on the extreme tip of your toes, request they add the front slider wedge to your shoes if they can, or order the shoes from Asham with it. The Goldline Podiums are nice shoes as well, but I have never slid in them myself, so I can't give any feedback.

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Registered: Dec 2013
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Whats your opinion on getting ashams for non-tuckers? Needing a new pair of shoes and debating going from balance plus to ashams. Not a huge fan of any of the balance plus style out right now - all to bulky

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Registered: Apr 2005
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Posts: 399

I'm a fan of shoes that have detachable sliders/grippers. This allows you to replace your grippers on a regular basis so that you don't leave detritus all over the ice, and keeps your shoes nice and grippy. The expense of replacing gripper pods is offset by having to have a shoe re-gripped, or buying new shoes when the integerated gripper disintegrates. Almost all of these type shoes have hinged front sliders that accommodate either flat-foot, toe, or tuck delivery.

Perimeter sliders, donuts, or BalancePlus sliders with holds will be faster than solid sliders. (Less surface area.)

Beyond that, I think you should get whatever shoe fits well. For those of us with narrow feet, Balance Plus shoes tend to fit a little better than Goldline, as they have fairly narrow heel cups. (A good cobbler can also strengthen and narrow the heel cup with a comfy leather insert.)

Almost all currently manufactured shoes are glued together and have a limited lifespan in heavy curling. Very few have the uppers sewn into the sole, and those that are built this way tend to be heavier and stiffer. (I tried a pair of BP Delux shoes but they were too wide and way too stiff, with a full (not split) slider.)

Right now, I'm using BP 500s, and although the slider shoe is heavy with 1/4" teflon, these have held up the longest of the sports-style shoes (more than 24 months without delamination). I can destroy any Goldline Podium-type product or Asham Slam in 1-2 years. I also found the Ashams to be "hot" shoes. I kept wondering who was the idiot that was leaving little melted circlular gripper marks all over the ice, then realized it was me! I haven't tried the new Quantums, but they look interesting.

Cheers.

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Registered: Jan 2009
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Posts: 99

I can say that I have had certain pairs of Asham shoes that wore out quicker than I think was acceptable. But, they have a great warranty policy. And the last pair I purchased, the Legacy, is absolutely the nicest blend of comfortable/flexible leather and durability. They have held up extremely well after 3 years of use and show no signs of letting me down any time soon. I'll put them up against a pair of BP Deluxes for a long term test any time.

I can't speak as to them being "hot" shoes as my feet get cold skipping in anything. But they do insulate better than anything I've ever used from BP, and I never leave gripper marks anywhere.

I've heard great things about the feel, speed, and light weight of the new Goldline Quantum shoes. But, thus far, of 3 people I know with them 2 have had stitching come apart in different spots. Those 2 had the black pair and the other person without problems has the white pair. It might be a coincidence, or maybe not. That's just what I know about them at this point in time.

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Registered: Mar 2009
Location: Burlington
Posts: 638

I like the balance Plus 500 with the hinge sole. I am very hard on shoes so a year on any shoe is good for me.

I tried the top of the line goldline and the shoe fit well but I found the 1/4 slider much slower than the 1/4 Balance plus. I used them 4 times then sold them and went back to the Balance Plus.

Never use Asham so can't comment.

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Registered: Feb 2011
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Posts: 42

Another option is to find a good new pair of low heel basketball shoes (other another type of shoe with a flat sole) and sent them into BalancePlus or another company and have them custom make the shoe into a curling shoe.

__________________
Yea, Curling!

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