Shoe Shopping Help

[Jeeves]

O.K. So Iv'e blown out the DMX air chamber in a second pair of Reebok Walk/Run DMX shoes. I'm like the shoes, but now it's time for something new. I'm not ready to spring for a pair of Starfighters, and after an hour or so at the local mall I still did'nt find a pair of shoes to fence in.
Sooooo... How about a little professional advice for an old fart novice fencer. What the heck am I looking for when I return to the mall tommorow???
What works, what don't? Just not another pair of Reebok Run/Walk DMX PLEASE.....

Many thanks.

[Zelda]

Jeeves, SQUASH SHOES! In three years I have gone through 2 pairs of cheap hi-tech brand squash shoes and am now Using ASICS GEL with the Rhyno skin on the toes. Nice and flat with good ankle support and cushioning.

[Zelda]

PS. I got mine at Althletes foot, though I am sure Foot Locker will have something very similar.

[SäbelFechter]

Walking shoes or cross-trainers are not the way to go. If you don't want to get fencing shoes, another good alternative is to get shoes for volleyball (which are much cheaper and have good non-slip soles). That's what I've been using so far and they've worked well.

[Eileen]

I also recommend vollyball shoes. I had a pair of Reebok volleyball shoes that served me well for quite awhile.

These were designed for indoor volleyball use and hence had wood floors in mind. I purchased mine at Foot Locker.

[foodle]

Look at squash, racquet ball, volleyball, or indoor soccer shoes. All can be found for a much lower price than "real" fencing shoes. Personally, I had problems with the addidas fencing shoes being very narrow (especially the asymmetrics), so I had to search out some alternatives.

Sadly indoor court shoes are sometimes hard to find at your local mall. There are a bunch of decent internet/mail order places. The US and UK have a bunch of good places to order from.

[ 02-24-2002: Message edited by: foodle ]</p>

[Jeeves]

Thank you, everyone for the sound advice. I found a pair of shoes made by New Balance that I think will do very well. Fairly flat bottoms, and no DMX style air chamber to slow my reaction time.
With the DMX style air chambers I always felt like I was pushing down/compressing the air chamber first instead of just pushing off with my back foot.
These have a much better feel for the floor and are a couple ounces lighter each.

Thanks again.

[Sciurus Rex]

I seem to be a little late to the topic, but I'll add my two bits anyway:

Indoor soccer shoes. Excellent hardy construction, lightweight, very little excess material around the sole, decent support, a lot of options. And chances are there's a soccer specialty shop somewhere in the larger metro areas near you, so you don't have to order by catalog.

[sean]

Whatever you wind up with, make sure the heel is not too flat on the indoor court shoes. Some of the squash and volleyball shoes don't have a lot of heel support, and the heel can take quite a beating while lunging. Anyone who has ever suffered a heel bruise while doing paractice lunges in stocking feet will back me up on this one. Not fun.