Alternative fencing boots - discuss

[TheArmourer]

I spoke to someone at a competition a while back who was wearing motor racing boots rather than fencing boots.
Apparently they were great for grip and provided lots of support. And you'd expect them to be pretty tough.
As I'm constantly on the search for ways to make fencing cheaper, they had the bonus of being much much cheaper than fencing boots.
I was thinking of something like ... http://www.racewear.co.uk/Web2002/index2.html

Any thoughts?

[Zilverzmurfen]

I think they look quite cool for "streetwear" but since the sole is black I would not use them for fencing. Good price though!

[rory]

A lot of the French (and other European) team members wear volleyball court shoes instead of fencing shoes.

Lots cheaper, and better cushioned apparently.

[fencergal33]

I know several people who wear wrestling shoes and buy heels cups to put in them for shock absorbtion. Seems to work for them...

[Namir]

Lots of people also use indoor soccer shoes, myself included

[whtouche]

Lots of people also use indoor soccer shoes, myself included

Im on my third pair of indoor soccer shoes, and at around 30 dollars a pair it's an easy decision.

[S. Hunter]

Why do people bother finding alternatives to fencing shoes? The pair I have (PBT Somethings) was about 90 bucks and has lasted me about 2 years and counting. The traction is great, and there is definately a 500% inprovement over normal shoes or even wresting shoes. I really think its worth the money to buy a pair. (Of course, My hats off to anybody who can manage to fence in boots of any sort)

[Namir]

I like soccer shoes becouse:
1: I can go down to MCSports and buy a pair
2: They arn't $100-$200
3: Indoor soccer shoes have Great Traction
4: and Great Support

[achilleus]

Why do people bother finding alternatives to fencing shoes? The pair I have (PBT Somethings) was about 90 bucks and has lasted me about 2 years and counting. The traction is great, and there is definately a 500% inprovement over normal shoes or even wresting shoes. I really think its worth the money to buy a pair. (Of course, My hats off to anybody who can manage to fence in boots of any sort)

I currently use volleyball shoes. I've used fencing shoes (3 models),squash shoes, racquetball shoes, tennis shoes, and basketball shoes.

My favorites have been a particular pair of basketball shoes, and my current volleyball shoes.

Personally, fencing shoes cause my knees and back to hurt after fencing due to their lack of support and cushion, especially on the concrete NAC floors. My fencing shoes also usually lasted me about 6-9 months, and on dusty gym floors, the traction is horrible. I really like the uninhibited drag, but can find other shoes that are almost as nice.

That plus the fact that I can find top of the line volleyball shoes (last years model) on sale for $30 makes it a no brainer.

I also find it nice that the newest fencing shoes, which I may consider trying, finally incorporate technology that other adidas shoes have had for years.

[ebonylevin]

have you tried the chinese li-ning shoes/boots? they're really good, and nicely padded on the heels. theye reasonably priced about $nz140 and they last for ages (mine are going on 2 years) and after i use them as sneakers for outside. the only thing that i have to say against them is that the grip wears out a bit where you scuff your foot to lunge.

[JEC]

Boxer shoes are also inexpensive, and while used in the correct surface (not concrete) a useful choice.
http://store.titleboxing.com/titlebo...s-pretero.html

I have a pair that were close-out $29.99.

[Pun]

I was expecting to see "Alternative Fencing boots are neither Alternative nor boots, discuss" for some reason...

Any way, yeah I have wanted to get a pair or fencing shoes for a while (I've been in Tennis shoes) but alas I have no money. But those racing boots look cool, and they are relatively cheap. I think all fencing supplies have rather inflated prices, so anything to save a few bucks.

[Epee_Pox]

you're right, there. probably it's so inflated because the market is smaller than more mainstream sports. but as mentioned above there are good substitutes for a lot less money if you look at gear for other sports. shoes for sure. socks, too -- soccer socks do the job for way less cash.

[achilleus]

have you tried the chinese li-ning shoes/boots? they're really good, and nicely padded on the heels. theye reasonably priced about $nz140 and they last for ages (mine are going on 2 years) and after i use them as sneakers for outside. the only thing that i have to say against them is that the grip wears out a bit where you scuff your foot to lunge.

I won't. The older style fencing shoes, Adidas and it's knock offs, don't provide adequate support or cushion. To make them bearable for hardwood floors (where their traction is not so good), I need to use a thick, stiff insole and heel cushions. And the US national events are all held on concrete. Then to top it off, with the amount I train, the shoes wear out quickly.

It doesn't really matter to me but some of the knock offs, the chinese in particular, don't even make my size.

I haven't tried the newer models, which look to provide support and cushion, but at the price they charge, I'll stick with last year's volleyball shoes.

[pacer]

Just the other day on Zappos I saw a pair of adidas shoes styled after the racing boots. I think they were definitely aimed at some segment of the fashion market and as I recall they did not have a black sole. They looked like they might do for fencing, but were about the same price as fencing shoes, so why bother?

[cfaustus]

My personal preference is some sort of flat soled canvas shoe like Converse All Stars with a heel cup for cushion.

The one thing I find important to stay away from is shoes that have the soles that flange out towards the front. They do this to give a bigger base for stability in a lot of cross training and running shoes, but they have a odd side effect in fencing: The flange tends to catch on the ground during a lunge making it difficult to keep one's back foot from flopping over. Just an observation.

[achilleus]

My personal preference is some sort of flat soled canvas shoe like Converse All Stars with a heel cup for cushion.

The one thing I find important to stay away from is shoes that have the soles that flange out towards the front. They do this to give a bigger base for stability in a lot of cross training and running shoes, but they have a odd side effect in fencing: The flange tends to catch on the ground during a lunge making it difficult to keep one's back foot from flopping over. Just an observation.

Those Converse shoes were when I first noticed how my feet would hurt wearing improper footwear.

And you're missing out if you only look for shoes with a flat sole. One of the coolest features of some of the Nike tennis shoes is that they often have an angled heels, allowing the lunge to be more cushioned and much easier.

In fact, the new fencing shoes are finally incorporating this technology only 10 years after I first used it in my $60 Nike's, and thought, 'What a great idea.'

[jBirch]

TheArmourer,

Nomex is not a cool material. If you've ever raced competitively, you'll know that it's heavier and much warmer then wool without the moisture wicking properties. Definitely something I'd pass up for a high intensity activity like fencing where there's no danger of fire. Unless, of course, you like wiping out your spouse when you come home from a competition and those puppies come off.

Ninpo tabi are pretty sweet, though I thought that you could only wear specialised footware for fencing (something about tearing up the strip). Learn something new every day.

Hope this helps.

[D'Artag-NOT]

Why do people bother finding alternatives to fencing shoes?

Because no-one makes fencing shoes to fit my narrow (size 8.5 AAA) feet.

As far as I know, New Balance is the only manufacturer of athletic shoes that recognizes the fact that feet come in different shapes and widths. I wear New Balance cross-trainers for fencing and working out in the gym. If I can ever afford an extra pair of shoes to use exclusively for fencing, I plan to try their indoor court shoes.

[cornflower]

I usually use Adidas shoes... you know one of those old-school style shoes. Adidas are GREAT. My feet are like... UBER narrow, and Adidas makes awesome shoes for my feet. I also wear prescription arch-support (call me a geek, I already know), so really... I get great support from most of the shoes I own, so I just get the shoes for fencing based on traction, build, design and size.