Shoes for fencing?

I'm in desperate need of some shoes for fencing, but I don't necessarily
want to go the "fencing shoe" route (aside from cost, I just know I'd
get stuck shipping them back a few times before I got a pair that fit
right). Last time I bought some white, low-top court shoes from Reebok,
but that was so long ago I don't know if they even stll make that model.

So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
with for fencing?

Thanks!

--Harold Buck


"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

The best fencing shoes I've found were low-top sneakers. Good traction, low
cost.

V/R:
Mike McDaniel

> I'm in desperate need of some shoes for fencing, but I don't necessarily
> want to go the "fencing shoe" route (aside from cost, I just know I'd
> get stuck shipping them back a few times before I got a pair that fit
> right). Last time I bought some white, low-top court shoes from Reebok,
> but that was so long ago I don't know if they even stll make that model.
>
> So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> with for fencing?
>
> Thanks!
>
> --Harold Buck

Adidas' indoor soccer shoes [Sambas, in whatever variation you can find]
seem to be pretty popular. Their minimalist basketball shoes work pretty
well in a pinch, too. Basically, I look for a light, thin-soled low-top.

-Bill

Wolf wrote:

>>I'm in desperate need of some shoes for fencing, but I don't necessarily
>>want to go the "fencing shoe" route (aside from cost, I just know I'd
>>get stuck shipping them back a few times before I got a pair that fit
>>right). Last time I bought some white, low-top court shoes from Reebok,
>>but that was so long ago I don't know if they even stll make that model.
>>
>>So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
>>with for fencing?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>>--Harold Buck
>>
>>
>
>Adidas' indoor soccer shoes [Sambas, in whatever variation you can find]
>seem to be pretty popular. Their minimalist basketball shoes work pretty
>well in a pinch, too. Basically, I look for a light, thin-soled low-top.
>
>-Bill
>
>
One addition that worked well for me: go to a shoe-repair store and have
them sew & glue a piece of leather on the back foot where you're apt to
drag. The $10 is worth the cost of new shoes.

--
Amy and Joseph Kormann

"Wolf" <bussone@adelphia.net> wrote in message news:<eMWdnRFD5oESl5PdRVn2sg@giganews.com>...
> > I'm in desperate need of some shoes for fencing, but I don't necessarily
> > want to go the "fencing shoe" route (aside from cost, I just know I'd
> > get stuck shipping them back a few times before I got a pair that fit
> > right). Last time I bought some white, low-top court shoes from Reebok,
> > but that was so long ago I don't know if they even stll make that model.
> >
> > So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> > with for fencing?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > --Harold Buck
>
> Adidas' indoor soccer shoes [Sambas, in whatever variation you can find]
> seem to be pretty popular. Their minimalist basketball shoes work pretty
> well in a pinch, too. Basically, I look for a light, thin-soled low-top.
>
> -Bill

Ya Sports authority sels the shoes for cheep... indoor soccer shoes i
mean

Alternatively there's this bowling alley that has black mono colored
bowling shoes. With no heel. The old timers like nadi fenced in what
amounts to a wing tip with a flat sole... almost like a cross between
a ballet slipper and a wing tip. Then go to a cobbler and have him put
a gummy thin rubber sole.

Please wear arch supports. And those gel insoles are GRREAT!!!!!!! Im
gellin like a felon... want some melon? :-)

For Epee I just use a court shoe like the new balance with gel
orthotics.


for saber.... HA! dont fence saber. All that whackin'..... I've never
seen so much whackin' in my entire life (Hank Hill)


When I become the greatest fencer(foilist) of all time Ill be sure to
do the responsible thing by yall and get a shoe deal with Nike or
Adidas. :-)


Delusions of Grandeur,

Magni

michael_lichtstrom@yahoo.com (magni) wrote

>
> Please wear arch supports. And those gel insoles are GRREAT!!!!!!! Im
> gellin like a felon... want some melon? :-)


No need to be yellin'.



> for saber.... HA! dont fence saber. All that whackin'.....

You really should jump on the bandwhackin'....

In article
<no_one_knows-955BB8.22230620012004@comcast.ash.giganews.com>, Harold
Buck <no_one_knows@attbi.com> writes
>I'm in desperate need of some shoes for fencing, but I don't necessarily
>want to go the "fencing shoe" route (aside from cost, I just know I'd
>get stuck shipping them back a few times before I got a pair that fit
>right). Last time I bought some white, low-top court shoes from Reebok,
>but that was so long ago I don't know if they even stll make that model.
>
>So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
>with for fencing?
>
>Thanks!
>
>--Harold Buck
>

Hi-Tec shoes meant for squash work for me.

Tim S.

It seems like you have to go through a lot of trouble to tailor "off the shelf"
shoes for fencing applications. There are several attractive, reasonably
priced alternatives on the market. No1 shoe that Blade sells for around $95 is
working very well for me, and I fence at least 4-5 times per week. They are
higer quality and much more comfortable then low end Adidas (chinese made ones)
shoe and costs less. There is also a reasonable quality Hungarian shoe by PBT
at about the same price as No1.

As I said, there are several attractive options, so there is no need to go and
buy something that will not be ideal for fencing and will need some altering
before use.

Good Luck!

Harold Buck <no_one_knows@attbi.com> wrote in message news:<no_one_knows-955BB8.22230620012004@comcast.ash.giganews.com>..

> So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> with for fencing?


As a coach at a major university, where students are less than wealthy
as a rule (and being somewhat frugal myself), I am always on the
lookout for fencing shoes.

Sure, any low-top, flat-soled shoe will do. Some are better than
others....

I find the Adidas Samba is only OK. The heel is very sharp, not
rounded at all.

Puma has a number of shoes, that BEG to be fenced in, but tend to be
pricey. The Speedcat is an F-1 racing shoe and therefore has the
heel-roll we all love, and is nearly perfect, about $55 on sale--but
is made of suede. Go figure. (The professional Speedcat-L is even
better, but at $130 the pair, I'd really rather have some Adidas
D'artangans....)

Keds are great. Lightweight, inexpensive. Last about a season.

(Drum roll please). But I recently discovered an incredible shoe:
the Mark Ecko "Cult" formal sneaker. $55 on sale at Macy's for Men,
but NOW ONLY $48!! Available in black, white w/green and white
w/blue, for men and women. All leather upper, perforated, breathable,
a great shoe:

http://www.macys.com/catalog/product...at=3758&bhcp=1

(you might need to fix the link)

Or try http://www.villageshoes.com/marcecko.html

These are bar-none the GRIPPIEST shoes I have ever used. In fact my
first lesson in them exhausted me because I had to work my legs so
correctly! I love them and am thinking of buying another pair for
when these die.

And at $48, you wont' find a better shoe in the US.

Cheers,

TC

WOW I'm going to Macys and ordering some!!!
THey are a cool shoe!

Regards,
Magnobitsky

tcate@zoo.uvm.edu (Thom Cate) wrote in message news:<4c1bba3.0401301208.282915a3@posting.google.c om>...
> Harold Buck <no_one_knows@attbi.com> wrote in message news:<no_one_knows-955BB8.22230620012004@comcast.ash.giganews.com>..
>
> > So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> > with for fencing?
>
>
> As a coach at a major university, where students are less than wealthy
> as a rule (and being somewhat frugal myself), I am always on the
> lookout for fencing shoes.
>
> Sure, any low-top, flat-soled shoe will do. Some are better than
> others....
>
> I find the Adidas Samba is only OK. The heel is very sharp, not
> rounded at all.
>
> Puma has a number of shoes, that BEG to be fenced in, but tend to be
> pricey. The Speedcat is an F-1 racing shoe and therefore has the
> heel-roll we all love, and is nearly perfect, about $55 on sale--but
> is made of suede. Go figure. (The professional Speedcat-L is even
> better, but at $130 the pair, I'd really rather have some Adidas
> D'artangans....)
>
> Keds are great. Lightweight, inexpensive. Last about a season.
>
> (Drum roll please). But I recently discovered an incredible shoe:
> the Mark Ecko "Cult" formal sneaker. $55 on sale at Macy's for Men,
> but NOW ONLY $48!! Available in black, white w/green and white
> w/blue, for men and women. All leather upper, perforated, breathable,
> a great shoe:
>
> http://www.macys.com/catalog/product...at=3758&bhcp=1
>
> (you might need to fix the link)
>
> Or try http://www.villageshoes.com/marcecko.html
>
> These are bar-none the GRIPPIEST shoes I have ever used. In fact my
> first lesson in them exhausted me because I had to work my legs so
> correctly! I love them and am thinking of buying another pair for
> when these die.
>
> And at $48, you wont' find a better shoe in the US.
>
> Cheers,
>
> TC

Thom Cate wrote:
>
>
> Or try http://www.villageshoes.com/marcecko.html
>
> These are bar-none the GRIPPIEST shoes I have ever used. In fact my
> first lesson in them exhausted me because I had to work my legs so
> correctly! I love them and am thinking of buying another pair for
> when these die.
>
> And at $48, you wont' find a better shoe in the US.
>
Just a thought for consideration (not questioning the above)
but are the "grippiest shoes" that desirable for fencers?
I pose the question as in my experience I have found
that on some surfaces shoes that grip all too well have had
a tendency to crab in a retreat. Most particularly if the edge
comes down first. You are extending the leg rearward, to
bring yourself backward and an edge touches and rolls under.
Realizing that in a perfect world you would of course maintain
the foot perfectly parallel to the surface and there would be
no problem. But reality and perfection being somewhat different
I've found a little slide to be desirable.

My favorite fencing shoes are indoor soccer shoes.
The made for fencing shoes don't seem to give me
the support or handle inserts that my flat feet necessitate
whereas the indoor soccer shoes seem to be just a bit more
substantive. Also general purpose/cross training shoes
and many running shoes are made with glued soles which will
separate when subjected over time to the inevitable dragging
of the rearward foot in a lunge.

J.

Harold Buck wrote:

> I'm in desperate need of some shoes for fencing, but I don't necessarily
> want to go the "fencing shoe" route (aside from cost, I just know I'd
> get stuck shipping them back a few times before I got a pair that fit
> right). Last time I bought some white, low-top court shoes from Reebok,
> but that was so long ago I don't know if they even stll make that model.
>
> So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> with for fencing?

Onitsuka Tiger track shoes. $34 at:

http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722001244.html

I've been disapointed with the "real" fencing shoes I've owned, I've always
had better luck with cheap track shoes.

Kevin

Kevin O'Neill <koneill@brazosport.edu> wrote in message news:<40463B3D.7F867A0D@brazosport.edu>...

> Harold Buck wrote:
> > So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> > with for fencing?
>
> Onitsuka Tiger track shoes. $34 at:
>
> http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722001244.html

Kevin:

Checked the link, those look good...but I didn't see the Tigers at
anything like $34--more like $84. Were you thinking of the "Modern
Mexico?"

TC

tcate@zoo.uvm.edu (Thom Cate) wrote in message news:<4c1bba3.0403041041.33ea1d1b@posting.google.c om>...
> Kevin O'Neill <koneill@brazosport.edu> wrote in message news:<40463B3D.7F867A0D@brazosport.edu>...
>
> > Harold Buck wrote:
> > > So I'm wondering, what "off-the-shelf" shoes have people had success
> > > with for fencing?
> >
> > Onitsuka Tiger track shoes. $34 at:
> >
> > http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/722001244.html
>
> Kevin:
>
> Checked the link, those look good...but I didn't see the Tigers at
> anything like $34--more like $84. Were you thinking of the "Modern
> Mexico?"

The Tiger is listed below for $46, but yes, the Mexico looks good to
me too. Also perhaps this, if you like black shoes:

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....ROD_ID=501134#

or

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2....ROD_ID=501133#

I'd like to find a pair of the Mexico 66 Mid Runners for $20 at Ross,
but sadly I don't think they've even hit the states yet. I can only
find them here:

http://www.asicstiger.com/onitsukatiger/

They look good, $75 isn't bad for high tops, and Tigers fit me
perfectly unlike Addidas fencing shoes.

Kevin

new balance gumsole indoor court sneakers, comes in wide widths too!!