Leon Paul Shoes?

[SJB]

Has anyone purchased a pair of the much banner advertised Leon Paul shoes?

If so, how are they?

How do they compare to the Adidas models?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Has anyone purchased a pair of the much banner advertised Leon Paul shoes?

If so, how are they?

How do they compare to the Adidas models?

Here's a couple of links for you:

'Hi-Tech/LP shoes'.
'Leon Paul Fencing Shoes'.
'New Leon Paul Fencing Shoe Launch at USA Nationals'.

Some shoe reviews.

[Cerian]

I bought a pair. Didn't really like them, so I sold them to a friend. Much prefer the Onitsuka Fencing LAs. The LP Blades were too clunky/heavy for my taste. The side also dug into my ankle on the back foot. I wasn't that impressed by the traction either, and their was a bit more sole than I like, leaving my feet further from the ground than I like. My friend likes them alot though, but he hasn't tried any other fencing shoes.

[keith]

I have been using the LP shoes for the last month or so, some thoughts, observations.

If you have been using court shoes but want 'fencing shoes' you may find them an improvement - they have excellent grip/support.

Although they have thin soles they are thicker than those on other fencing shoes (in between a court shoe and adidas fencing shoe), so if you like to really feel the floor they may not be for you.

The plus of the more substantial sole is you probably won't really feel the floor quite as soon as with the adidas shoes

[Mizore]

I'm using Lotto indoor soccer shoes now. On the plus side they are grippy on wood gym floors, rubber and metalic fabric surfances. But I find that they stick a bit too much on lunges and sometimes when retreating.

I'm interested in trying fencing shoes but have read here that many models fall apart quickly and the others are $200. How do you think the LPs compare to the D'art 1 and D'art 2 shoes? And if anyone is using the Onitsuka's can you tell us a little more about what you like/dislike about them?

[misha]

I bought them, tried a couple of times....
if anyone is interested in size 10.5 I will sell for $50 plus shipping

Note: I fence epee

1) Upper is not breathable at all.
Looks like it is build from material for a firefighter suit.
I guess it is logical step from Lexan mask to full body epee lame
2) Heel of the front foot is too stiff for my lunges.
3) Protection on the side of the back foot is in the wrong place.
4) I have wide feet, but this thing is sooo wide that my foot
moves from side to side, which gives weird feeling.
5) One good feature I want to mention is wide "stability bar",
but I guess it causes 4)....

I would get Adidas Asymmetrics any day over this shoe.
Too bad they are not making it anymore...



.

[Cerian]

nd if anyone is using the Onitsuka's can you tell us a little more about what you like/dislike about them?

Good traction, very light and breathable, thin sole (heel pads reccomended), reasonably wide. I found the protection on the inside didn't go up quite far enough for me, but I just had a cobbler sew some sturdy leather on for 5 bucks or so.