How to Choose Curling Shoes: What to Look for Before You Buy
Few pieces of curling equipment influence your experience on the ice as quickly as your shoes.
The right pair can improve comfort, stability, delivery consistency, and confidence moving around the sheet. The wrong pair can leave you fighting for balance, struggling with fit, or wondering why something still feels off halfway through a game.
Part of what makes curling footwear different from regular athletic shoes is that it has to do two opposite things at once. One foot needs to slide smoothly during delivery. The other needs reliable traction while walking, sweeping, and moving into position. Standard sneakers are not built for either, which is why dedicated curling shoes tend to change how you move on the ice as soon as players start using them.
This guide breaks down the main factors worth considering, from fit and handedness to sliders, grippers, and how shoe types differ.
It All Starts Here: Fit and Comfort
Before slider thickness, materials, or any other specification, fit is the most important thing to get right. It is also the easiest thing to overlook when shopping, because specs are simple to compare online and fit requires actually trying the shoe on.
That tradeoff tends to become obvious quickly. Slider ratings and upper materials look the same end after end. A shoe that pinches or shifts underfoot does not. Poor fit affects balance during delivery, stability during sweeping, and overall comfort in ways that no slider upgrade can fix.
A few things to pay attention to:
Snug but not restrictive. Curling requires crouching low out of the hack, extending through the delivery, and sustained sweeping across multiple ends. A shoe that feels slightly tight during a quick try-on often becomes genuinely uncomfortable an hour in. It should feel secure without squeezing.
Width matters as much as length. Curling shoes can run narrow compared to standard athletic footwear, and the demands of the sport make a poor width fit harder to ignore than it might be in everyday shoes. If you have a wider foot and the shoe is pulling across the top or creating pressure on the outside edge, that is not something that breaks in. It is the wrong shoe.
Lining and warmth. Curling is played on ice, and feet that become cold or damp are a distraction that builds over the course of a game. Look for shoes with a moisture-wicking lining that keeps feet dry and comfortable through extended play.
Wear the socks you plan to curl in. If you are trying shoes on in a store, wear the socks you actually curl in. Sock thickness can have a real effect on fit, and a shoe that feels right in thin socks may feel snug once you are on the ice.
Fit can vary between models even within the same brand. If you are ordering online for the first time, checking the sizing guidance for that specific model rather than assuming your usual size carries over is worth the extra step.
Get the fit right first, then compare everything else. A shoe that fits well and feels right from the start will serve you better than a technically superior shoe that doesn't.
Understanding Sliders and Grippers
Sliders and grippers are the functional core of curling footwear, and how they are built into a shoe tells you a lot about what that shoe is designed to do.
The Slider
The slider sits on the delivery foot. Its job is to let your foot slide smoothly out of the hack and through the release. Inconsistency underfoot tends to show up in your delivery timing before you can identify why something feels off.
The Gripper
The gripper covers the opposite foot. It keeps you planted while sweeping and stable while walking the sheet. Gripper rubber takes a beating from the hack and the ice surface, and once the texture wears smooth it loses traction fast. A degraded gripper also sheds small rubber debris onto the ice, which creates problems for everyone playing on that sheet.
Toe Coating
A toe coating protects the toe of the trailing shoe against wear from drag on the ice and reduces friction, which helps maintain a smoother, more consistent slide. Some shoes come with a toe coating already applied, and it can also be added after purchase as a service.
Fixed vs. Modular Systems
Where shoes differ significantly is in how these components are integrated. Basic setups have the slider and gripper built permanently into the sole, which is functional but gives you no ability to adjust or replace either element independently. More advanced shoes use a modular system where the sliding disks are replaceable and interchangeable.
Asham's RDS (Rotator Disk System) is a good example of modular design in practice. Rather than a single fixed slider, the RDS uses a sliding disk platform that can be swapped out in the store or at home, letting you change both the material and thickness of your slide surface without replacing the shoe. For players who curl regularly, that replaceability pays off over time.
Slider Thickness Explained
Thickness and Speed
Slider thickness is measured in fractions of an inch, and the difference between a 3/32" and a 5/32" disk is subtle enough that many players never think about it until they try a different thickness and immediately notice the change in feel.
Thicker sliders are faster because they ride on top of the pebble rather than losing energy over it. That extra speed matters for hit-weight shots as much as it does for draw delivery. Players who struggle to generate pace through the release will often notice a meaningful difference with a thicker slider. Thinner sliders offer more resistance and control, which most players find easier to manage while their delivery mechanics are still developing.
Slider speed is often expressed as a number on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the slowest and 10 is the fastest. The scale is a general guide rather than a universal standard, as different manufacturers may rate their sliders slightly differently.
Slider Materials
Slider material also plays a role in how a shoe performs. Teflon is the most common material and comes in a range of thicknesses, making it the most accessible option at any budget. At the higher end, stainless steel and hard anodized aluminum (Hard ANO) options are available for players seeking a faster and more durable sliding surface. These suit more experienced and competitive players who know exactly what they need from their slide.
Asham's RDS shoes come standard with a 3/32" Teflon sliding disk, rated speed 5: enough slide for a clean delivery, enough resistance to stay in control. From there, disks can be swapped for a thicker option or a different material as your game and preferences develop.
Right-Handed vs. Left-Handed Curling Shoes
Handedness is one of those details that seems obvious once you understand it, but it is easy to overlook when you are buying for the first time. Ordering the wrong configuration is a frustrating mistake that is entirely avoidable.
Curling shoes are configured differently because the sliding foot changes with handedness.
- Right-handed curlers slide on their left foot during delivery. The slider goes on the left shoe.
- Left-handed curlers slide on their right foot. The slider goes on the right shoe.
When browsing curling shoes, you will typically see this specified in the product listing. Buying the wrong configuration means the slider is on the wrong foot, which makes delivery considerably more difficult.
If you are unsure which configuration applies to you, think about which foot leads when you slide into the hack. That is your sliding foot, and that is the shoe that needs the slider.
How Often Do You Plan to Curl?
Frequency of play is one of the most useful filters when choosing between shoe options, and it shapes which features are actually worth paying for.
Trying Curling Casually or Joining an Introductory Program?
You may not need dedicated shoes at all yet. Slip-on sliders and grippers are a practical and low-commitment entry point that fit over regular athletic footwear and are enough to get through introductory sessions comfortably. Many clubs provide these, and they are also available to buy if you want your own. If you do want a dedicated pair of shoes from the start, a straightforward entry-level shoe focused on fit and comfort is more than sufficient.
Joining a Recreational League or Curling Regularly?
This is where dedicated curling shoes start to make clear sense. Look for a well-fitting shoe with a solid integrated slider and gripper setup and interchangeable sliders if your budget allows.
Curling Competitively or Playing at a Higher Level?
Performance features carry more weight here. Lighter materials, stiffer construction, premium slider options, and more precise fit systems all start to matter as the demands of the game increase.
Most players start somewhere in the first or second category and upgrade naturally as they play more. The best curling shoe is the one that fits well, matches your slider foot, and suits how often you play. There is no need to buy ahead of where you are.
Materials, Features, and Price
Upper Construction
Upper construction varies considerably across the market. Entry-level models typically use durable synthetic uppers that hold up well through a full season of regular play. Higher-end models move into lighter materials, including mesh-knit constructions, that reduce overall weight and improve breathability without sacrificing support. The difference is noticeable if you are playing frequently; less so if you are curling once a week through a recreational league.
Toe Caps
Toe drag during delivery is one of the most common habits in newer curlers, and it will wear through a shoe faster than almost anything else. Models with a hardened toe cap hold up much better and are worth prioritizing if you are still working on keeping your toe off the ice through the release.
Price and Value
On price, the Asham range starts around $190 CAD for entry-level models and reaches $390 CAD at the top end. Entry-level models offer everything most beginners and recreational players need, while higher-end models add interchangeable slider systems, better materials, and construction details that hold up over multiple seasons. Performance models are better shoes, but the gap is felt most at a competitive level, not in a Wednesday night league.
All Asham shoes with sliders include a slip-on gripper at no extra cost, and Asham backs all products with a warranty for the life of the product. Both are worth factoring into the real value of the footwear over time.
Ready to Find Your Pair of Curling Shoes?
Once you've narrowed down the features that matter most, the next step is finding a shoe that fits how you play. Asham has been manufacturing curling footwear in Winnipeg for over 40 years and ships worldwide, with a range that runs from entry-level club shoes for players just getting started to performance models worn at the highest levels of the sport.
Browse men's, women's, or junior curling shoes to find the right fit for how you play. If you need something customized, Asham also offers shoe modifications and repairs directly from the factory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need curling shoes to start curling?
Not necessarily. Many clubs provide basic equipment for introductory sessions, including step-on sliders that work over regular athletic footwear. Once you move into regular or league play, dedicated shoes tend to make a noticeable difference in comfort and consistency.
How do I know if I need right-handed or left-handed curling shoes?
Think about which foot leads during your delivery slide. That is your sliding foot, and that is the shoe that needs the slider. Right-handed curlers slide on their left foot; left-handed curlers slide on their right.
What slider thickness should a beginner choose?
Most Asham RDS shoes come standard with a 3/32" Teflon disk, rated speed 5 on a scale of 10. That is a practical starting point: enough slide to deliver cleanly, enough resistance to stay in control while your mechanics are still developing. Since disks are swappable, there is no need to overthink the thickness decision when buying your first pair.
How much should I spend on my first pair of curling shoes?
Asham's junior curling shoes start around $170 CAD and adult shoes start around $190 CAD. Spending more tends to make sense once you're playing regularly and have a clearer sense of what features matter to your game.
Can I use regular athletic shoes for curling?
For a first session, usually yes, though most clubs require clean indoor shoes with rubber soles. For regular play, standard athletic shoes lack the dedicated slider and gripper setup that curling footwear provides, which makes a meaningful difference in comfort, balance, and delivery consistency.
How should curling shoes fit?
Curling shoes should feel snug and secure without being restrictive. The sport involves crouching, lunging, and extended sweeping, so the shoe needs to support natural foot movement throughout. A fit that feels slightly uncomfortable during a quick try-on will almost always feel worse over the course of a full game. Most brands follow standard athletic shoe sizing, but fit can vary between models, so checking sizing guidance before ordering online is worthwhile.
How often should you replace curling shoes?
It depends on how frequently you play, but the slider is almost always the first thing to show wear. On Asham RDS shoes, that is a disk replacement rather than a shoe replacement, which extends the life of the footwear. The gripper sole will wear over time too, particularly for players who sweep aggressively. As a general guide, recreational players curling once a week through a league season can typically get several seasons from a well-maintained pair. If your slide feels inconsistent or your grip has noticeably reduced, those are the signals to act on.