Making Shoes "comfy"

[Lefty1]

Does anyone use anything "special" to make their shoes more comfortable?

Thanks

[ThatReallyHurt]

I usually wear them around the house for a day or two before venturing out into the real world with them... take a lot of stairs.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Yes, I use my feet. And socks. The socks really help!

Ok seriously, I don't use anything in particular. My shoes are quite comfy as it is. (Thanks to socks, ha ha!)

[Lefty1]

Zilverzmurfen, What kind of socks do you use??

[Zilverzmurfen]

Zilverzmurfen, What kind of socks do you use??

It doesn't really matter what (fencing) socks you use, but if you want to be a better fencer you should definitely wear the allstar socks!

Of course I am joking. It's too late for me to be serious tonight...

Anyway, the most important thing about socks, to me, is that they are long enough and doesn't have any 'seams' chafing (?) on your toes. I really hate that.

[Lefty1]

Thanks,

I'm definatley going to check those out! I've been using soccer socks and they're really getting worn out!

Thanks again

[AndrewH]

I bought a couple of pairs of "hiking socks" from Campmor, they're basically thick wool socks that absorb sweat and pad your feet for long hikes. For competitions I put on my long adidas fencing socks, then put the wool ankle socks on over them. Gives an extra layer of padding plus keeps your feet dry.

[veeco]

I try them on for size before buying them.

Other than that, I wear 2 pairs of socks and I have the sorbothane gel inserts. Of course, in the trying period, that means I have to try them on with all that equipment (that's in theory, in practice I just take them 1/2 to 1 size over what fits with regular socks)

[Gav]

Get the Sorbothanes. They make a huge difference. I've not had as many instances of "@~@~"$£^& ouch my feet hurt - where did these blisters come from????" since I put them in my d'arts. Incidentally, if you have the old style D'arts (like me; and I can't comment on the new one's) you should cut out the [pathtic excuse for] insoles.

[Alain]

Apart from my feet, as Zilver says, I don't add anything to my fencing shoes to make 'em comfy. I have the Adistar Lo shoes and wear Duellist socks (which are good, cos' they actually stay up unlike the Prieur ones I tried before)...

[Cerian]

I use heel pads. Something like these

As a note of caution when I was looking for inserts for other shoes I was told that the really sort of gooey/smushy gel inserts really actually aren't that worthwhile and that other inserts offer more support.

[glowstix]

i've got flat feet so, like others, i use insoles to help with the padding so my feet aren't moving around inside the shoe.

[Lefty1]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I definatley going to look into sorthobanes and maybe a different pair of socks.

[Inquartata]

1) A full-length foam sport insert.

2) A half-length arch support insert.

3) Soft rubber heel cups

4) Two pairs of socks.

[prototoast]

1) A full-length foam sport insert.

2) A half-length arch support insert.

3) Soft rubber heel cups

4) Two pairs of socks.

And when all that is done you need a shoe 3 sizes larger?

[JEC]

add "flat" gel inserts (to buffer), and then the orthotic on top.

[Inquartata]

And when all that is done you need a shoe 3 sizes larger?

No, I like a tight fit in a fencing shoe. Feels more secure and there's less movement, hence no blisters.

[Lefty1]

Most of the problem is on the inside (left side) of my back foot. Anymore ideas or suggestions?

[veeco]

Perhaps you should make sure you keep your back foot flat on the ground when you lunge. Try not to overlunge and practice making smaller, perhaps slower, but more controlled lunges: as a bonus you'll recover from them better. You'll get faster once you do them right.

[samh]

having comfortable fencing shoes for a competition is all about wearing them in long before the competition and wearing 2-4 layers of socks