Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 05:46 PM

Hey folks;

if you could have whatever you wanted in a fencing shoe what would it be?

Im gathering infor because I'm trying to design a shoe by a fencer for fencers.

I've been entrepreneuring for awhile now and I like it. I also like fencing so to combine the two seems most reasonable. I'm not looking for business advice just what do yall readers want in a shoe.

SO tell me....

Chafunkta · 07-29-2005, 06:27 PM

First off, change the name of your thread to "New Shoe" and not "New show."

Well, first off fencing shoes need to be light. They need to have a thin sole so as to reduce the weight. The also need reinforcement on strange places. First off, fencing is an asymetrical sport (as far as feet go). I'm a right handed fencer, so I'll describe what I want from a right-handers point of view. A lot of reinforcement must belong in the heel (especially the right shoe). Also, extra padding in the right shoe at the heel would be a good idea. There needs to be a tough material on the side (the right side) of the leftfoot shoe. It needs to withstand dragging across floors. Some shoes just extend the sole onto that part of the shoe, which seems to be a pretty good idea.

Lastly, I saw one of your posts earlier that was not very mature- if you plan on going in business with fencers I suggest you grow up a little.

Orangeaholic · 07-29-2005, 06:53 PM

You should make the shoes different colors... like *cough* cough* orange...

Just kidding(but i would buy those)

Anyway... light weight, tighter fit(not too tight, but fitting), good traction...

yadda yadda,

~Orange

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 07:13 PM

Chafunkta...

I say what I want when I want to whomever I please,especially to people who butcher the language. You might want to consider getting used to that. End of discussion.

As for the more helpful stuff thanks. Ill be sure to incorporate it.

[OUOTE/]Lastly, I saw one of your posts earlier that was not very mature- if you plan on going in business with fencers I suggest you grow up a little.[/quote]

glowstix · 07-29-2005, 07:31 PM

the best "show" design had already been made and its the adidas asymmetrics and i can't believe those frickin' idiots have stopped making them despite the unbelievable popularity. i know they're still available but obviously it can't go on forever.

the best thing about the asymmetrics was that the soles were the perfect thickness. all the other shoes i've seen had soles that were too thin. for me that provided no support whatsoever. and of course, they were just cool looking and it was obvious that some creativity was put into them. they were just plain awesome.

achilleus · 07-29-2005, 07:36 PM

It's a tough thing, designing a fencing shoe, since everyone has different opinions on what makes the perfect shoe.

To start with, fencing shoes need to be/have:

A rounded heel
Toe drag protection
Lightweight
Durable
Traction on a variety of surfaces
Supportive

Personally, I find all the fencing specfic shoes I've worn to have a rounded heel, be lightweight, have toe drag protection, but lack sufficient heel cushioning, support, and be very flimsy.

I've found the Stabil's to be the best shoes I've worn yet, but would like to see them be just a shade lighter, just a shade lower to the ground, with more of rounded heel than the shoe currently has. In addition, the toe drag protection on the Stabil is a little short, in that it only covers the toe and not much past that.

So, if you're designing a shoe, take a look at the Stabil. I dislike when the the sole of the shoe wraps around, since I drag my foot, and this can hinder my lunge unless the that part of the sole is slick.

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 07:40 PM

I do plan on having white, a flag design for the olympic team and staff, and several other colors schemes.

I WILL have Orange and black: 100% of the gross receipts of those shoes will go to Save the Tiger type charities.

So far the shoe design is very similar to the adidas yoga shoe MEI which is black and doesnt have a continuous sole. It has a wide heel and wide forefoot... but the arch is too flexible. mine will be more stable... but to cut down on weight there will only be foamon the forefoot and heel. both heels will have rounded rubber a la the asymetrics. and both insides will have drag protection so that any fencer will have rear leg grab and durability.

The forefoot will be more articulated for greater traction i.e. the ball of the foot will be separated by drainage lines so that the toes can wiggle.

Like blades shoes have to have balance. if the upper weighs considerably less that the midsole and outsole then you will have a 'heavy' shoe regardless of how much it weighs. I'm using a heavily ventilated leather upper. the arch will also be ventilated.

My goal is to make a mid top weigh less than the average running shoe.

Ive noticed also that many fencers when they lunge completely roll their rearfoot. Im considering putting in an ankle stabilizer to prevent over pronation. What do you think?

I think that a mid top will be the choice of most fencers provided it weighs as little as a low top. Mid tops also offer more canvas for design.

I think that the shoe will have an orthotic like Phase4 or something built in. That way during the lunge the knee will track over the foot correctly.

What do you think?

Fatfencer

Fencergrl · 07-29-2005, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfencer

Chafunkta...

I say what I want when I want to whomever I please,especially to people who butcher the language. You might want to consider getting used to that. End of discussion.

I guess he really wants "show" and not shoe designs folks.... how about a nice musical?

OROD · 07-29-2005, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfencer

Chafunkta...

I say what I want when I want to whomever I please,especially to people who butcher the language. You might want to consider getting used to that. End of discussion.

As for the more helpful stuff thanks. Ill be sure to incorporate it.

No one is saying you cant say what you want. And if someone says something silly or dumb or whatever, and you feel you really cant live on without posting something about it on this board, even though it has nothing to do with fencing, then go ahead. Just DONT BE AN ARSE. There's no need to personally attack someone on this board <when they havent done anything to provoke it>, and especially not the ladies that post on here. And, if you happen to get overly emotional or whatever and you say something like that, then perhaps if you apologize people will not mind so much.

.

ReverseLunge · 07-29-2005, 07:44 PM

Fatfencer you are a guy who is trapped in his own life.

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 07:45 PM

I dont know how to change the thread name on this thing or whether or not its even possible. grrrrr I hate my computer illiteracy. grrrrr

Smiles,

Fatfencer

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 07:52 PM

orod...how decidedly gallant of you. Fine you win. But as Im responsible for what I say i expect others to be and i simply choose not to pull any punches. period.

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReverseLunge

Fatfencer you are a guy who is trapped in his own life.

what other life would I be trapped in 'sides my own?

Fencergrl · 07-29-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OROD

No one is saying you cant say what you want. And if someone says something silly or dumb or whatever, and you feel you really cant live on without posting something about it on this board, even though it has nothing to do with fencing, then go ahead. Just DONT BE AN ARSE. There's no need to personally attack someone on this board <when they havent done anything to provoke it>, and especially not the ladies that post on here. And, if you happen to get overly emotional or whatever and you say something like that, then perhaps if you apologize people will not mind so much.

.

OROD is right. It is especially unfair to attack new people.

Not only does it not make good business sense, it's just unnecessary. There are people from all over the world. For many, English is not their first language. Some like yourself have typos in their posts. Lighten up, and we'll all have fun here.

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 07:55 PM

If its not shoe related then send me an email and flame all you wish. Otherwise its all about the shoes.

foildad · 07-29-2005, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfencer

If its not shoe related then send me an email and flame all you wish. Otherwise its all about the shoes.

This thread is flawed. I wanted to read about shows.

Ordway · 07-29-2005, 08:19 PM

What others have said. I'd add that I like the uppers to be flexible as well, and thin, with shoelaces that start fairly near the toe. That allows me to selectively tighten one part of the shoe more than the other. I would also want the flexibility so it would lace well over my ankle brace.

I prefer a low-cut. I wear the ankle brace on my forward, not rear foot, but even if I did wear it on the rear, I'd rather have that than have a shoe try to act as a brace. Let the shoe be the shoe and let the brace be the brace

HUGE thing would be the more durable edges of the shoes, especially the rear one.

Good traction on the soles, without being clunky.

Good heel cup - absolutely positively vital.

fatfencer · 07-29-2005, 08:28 PM

For you I will make a low top as well. I confess I never thought of the shoe lace thing starting closer to the toes. Good idea. Will do.

Heel cup definitely... will an orthotic like th Phase 4 do? it encloses the heel rather well. If not Ill offer them either built in or separate

As for the brace issue. I was actually planning to make it a removable metal strip. It will offer some level of support but for those people who forcefully overpronate or who WANT to do so the they can remove the strip. Also its easily removable such that you could do so i the middle of the bout should you wish. Similar to the carpal tunnel braces for the wrist. Available for midtops only obviously.

Fatfencer

ThatReallyHurt · 07-29-2005, 08:31 PM

I've never worn fencing shoes, and I've only seen a few pairs, but what about improving breathability? Sweaty feet aren't fun, especially if you're running around on them in the same pair of socks for six hours...

AntonioDelMonte · 07-30-2005, 04:12 AM

if you are going to have some sorta stabilizer on them you might wanna take a page from adidas and the adistar 2004's with a piece of material that hangs over the stabilizers and tucks into the stabilzer hole to keep the stabilzer from popping out

and how bout some hitops i have ankle problems but i hate wearing braces

thanks and i hope it helps