Closest thing to adidas blue stripes?

[goldbaker]

I know we've been over the shoe topic many times, but I have a fairly specific question. My old Adidas blue stripes are giving up the ghost. I like them because they fit pretty well and my custom orthotics fit in them. They're the only fencing shoes that have ever really worked for me.

I tried some of the more recent Chinese (JL) shoes, which my wife really likes. Unfortunately, my back hurt when I was wearing them, so I need something else, preferably without a molded interior, since I put my own insoles in anyway. Any ideas?

[counter riposte]

Unfortunately, if you are in fencing with an orthodic (as I do), Adidas is probably going to be your best bet. Reebok/Nike don't make fencing shoes, and the closest that you will come to in those brands are indoor soccer shoes, which have the adequate grip and design for quick turns on gymnasium floor surfaces, but don't have padding on the heel of the front foot. Adidas is one of the few, if any shoe makers that make shoes this sport specific. You may spend $150 for them but at least you will be fencing comfortably with reasonable control.

I've tried the JL's and although my coach seems to love them, they were too tight for me in the toebox. Overall, when it comes to shoes, if you are anywhere close to a fencing dealership, you should go there, try on shoes and do some footwork in them for about 30 min each, otherwise you will be spending a pretty penny on shipping back and forth.

[achilleus]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Originally posted by counter riposte:
<strong>Unfortunately, if you are in fencing with an orthodic (as I do), Adidas is probably going to be your best bet. Reebok/Nike don't make fencing shoes, and the closest that you will come to in those brands are indoor soccer shoes, which have the adequate grip and design for quick turns on gymnasium floor surfaces, but don't have padding on the heel of the front foot. .</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">That's pretty odd, since the older style fencing shoes have no heel padding so as to make the heel smooth and round.

Personally, I don't use fencing specific shoes, and haven't in years. Using orthotics, the best I've found is volleyball or tennis shoes (with removable insoles), just look for those that have similar characteristics to fencing shoes, i.e. low slung, toe-drag protection, rounded heel, etc...

There a couple of great tennis websites rating the shoes on performance, fit, and specs. to get a better idea if you want to do some research.

However, if you really want fencing shoes, I've heard nothing but good things about PBT, and last time I checked, the insoles were removable.

[mifencer]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Helvetica, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial"> I tried some of the more recent Chinese (JL) shoes, which my wife really likes. Unfortunately, my back hurt when I was wearing them, so I need something else, preferably without a molded interior, since I put my own insoles in anyway. Any ideas?
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Helvetica, Arial">Maybe you should try to wear shoes your own size. Or do you and your wife have the same shoe size?

[John Nguyen]

For some reason, I love my Adidas Samba's. (Indoor soccer) great stopping power, and reasonable grip for a great price. (though the cool traditional look was a main selling point)

I wear them for two events.

Umpiring while doing Basework
and Fencing. They give me pretty good support, but I usually use double heel cups because I tend to Ballestra hard (sp?)