Editing Curling (section)

=== Shoes ===
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[[File:curlingshoes.jpg|thumb|Curling shoes, showing a slider sole]]

Curling shoes are similar to ordinary athletic shoes except for special soles; the ''slider shoe'' (usually known as a "slider") is designed for the sliding foot and the "gripper shoe" (usually known as a ''gripper'') for the foot that kicks off from the hack.

The ''slider'' is designed to slide and typically has a [[PTFE|Teflon]] sole. It is worn by the thrower during delivery from the hack and by sweepers or the skip to glide down the ice when sweeping or otherwise traveling down the sheet quickly. Stainless steel and "red brick" sliders with lateral blocks of [[PVC]] on the sole are also available as alternatives to Teflon. Most shoes have a full-sole sliding surface, but some shoes have a sliding surface covering only the outline of the shoe and other enhancements with the full-sole slider. Some shoes have small disc sliders covering the front and heel portions or only the front portion of the foot, which allow more flexibility in the sliding foot for curlers playing with tuck deliveries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://glennpaulley.ca/curling/2011/05/22/curling-shoes-choosing-a-slider/ |title=Curling Shoes:Choosing a Slider |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418161202/http://glennpaulley.ca/curling/2011/05/22/curling-shoes-choosing-a-slider/ |archive-date=18 April 2012 |access-date=12 August 2011 }}</ref> When a player is not throwing, the player's slider shoe can be temporarily rendered non-slippery by using a slip-on gripper. Ordinary athletic shoes may be converted to sliders by using a step-on or slip-on Teflon slider or by applying [[Electrical tape|electrical]] or [[gaffer tape]] directly to the sole or over a piece of cardboard. This arrangement often suits casual or beginning players.

The ''gripper'' is worn by the thrower on the foot that kicks off from the hack during delivery and is designed to grip the ice. It may have a normal athletic shoe sole or a special layer of rubbery material applied to the sole of a thickness to match the sliding shoe. The toe of the hack foot shoe may also have a rubberised coating on the top surface or a flap that hangs over the toe to reduce wear on the top of the shoe as it drags on the ice behind the thrower.