New Leon Paul Fencing Shoe Launch at USA Nationals.

[Lefty1]

I can't wait to buy 'em!!

They look like a great pair of shoes for the price!

L1

[Frank Pratt]

I like the idea of the "stability bar." I was in physicial thearpy for a few weeks after bending my rear ankle to 90 degrees (well, it felt like that, anyway ) while retreating. I was not exactly trying to avoid a fleche, either. I was just giving a "nice, easy" group lesson.

[fencinman89]

The sizing on the shoes is about 1/2-1 full size bigger than pretty much everything by adidas. That sux that stuff wont be out until Septemeber. I'm even happier I was the only person to get a pair while I was down there (Sorry To Brag.) PM me if you have any questions.
-Tre'

[bigdawg2121]

Originally Posted by fencinman89

The sizing on the shoes is about 1/2-1 full size bigger than pretty much everything by adidas. That sux that stuff wont be out until Septemeber. I'm even happier I was the only person to get a pair while I was down there (Sorry To Brag.) PM me if you have any questions.
-Tre'

At the risk of blowing my anonymity....not that I'm sure how anonymous I am anyway...it was definitely one size difference Tre. Also, having been one of the 2? Americans to fence in these...they are just as awesome as they have been touted to be...if I could list three shortcomings they would be:

1) If you don't like Red/Silver/Black as a color scheme, you're SOL it would seem
2) The upper material (which DID NOT even appear scufffed after a day on the aluminum strips fencing saber) is stiff at first, so the spot right where it flexes at the toe might be a little uncomfortable at first (barely noticeable if at all when fencing though). It apparently also goes away after a day or so...Tre would know better.
3) The prototypes were hand stitched I believe...so while yours will last for a long time, mine will last longer when I get the order in...so

[scodeb444]

I'll be very interested to see what people think of the shoes. Not wanting to pay the generally high price for fencing specific shoes, I bought a pair of Hi-Tec Elite 500's several months ago. They're a squash/racquetball shoe, but I read where a lot of people were using them as a cheaper alternative.

I've been very pleased with them as they're a very well-made shoe. Since Hi-Tec also is making this Leon Paul fencing shoe, I'm curious as to what additional features are included for the extra $40 over the Elite 500's.

[fencinman89]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2121

2) The upper material (which DID NOT even appear scufffed after a day on the aluminum strips fencing saber) is stiff at first, so the spot right where it flexes at the toe might be a little uncomfortable at first (barely noticeable if at all when fencing though). It apparently also goes away after a day or so...Tre would know better.

The piece by the toe is starting to loosen up for me, and feels much better then when I first bought them. Well done Ben and Hi-tec.
-Tre'