Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Fencing LA shoes?

[_fence(1)]

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7223093.html

Are those Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Fencing LA real fencing shoes or just "replicas", "inspirations", etc? Can you fence in them or they are just for looks?

Thnx!

[penguin_2000]

still haven't figured out the search button, huh?

[_fence(1)]

Thank you for your advice! Here is what I've found:

Thank you for contacting ASICS America regarding our Onitsuka Tiger brand.

Onitsuka Tiger is a vintage-fashion brand and the footwear are not designed for sport use, however they are manufactured to the specifications of our vintage Tiger footwear.
These footwear are sold in urban-life retailers and eclectic footwear/apparel retailers nationwide; http://www.asicsamerica.com/onitsukatiger/stores.htm

[shlepzig]

I use them and am seeing more fencers in them.

I really like the fact that they are very light, grip well, and breathe nicely.

I have been especially impressed with how well they are wearing (a year of hard fencing and they show little wear at all) which I didn't expect based on how insubstantial they feel. I am notoriously hard on shoes so this is a serious bonus.

They have little support, so if you need good arch support and padding they are not for you. The sole is quite thin, so you get a good feel of the floor, but concrete floors can be tough on the feet after a long day.

The bright green with yellow accents may also put off the fashionably timid.

Shlep.

[parryDoh]

The bright green with yellow accents may also put off the fashionably timid.

Shlep.

Recently found that it is possible to find em in white. And more difficult to find em in the green and yellow colors.

I been using for almost a year now, they lasted a long time with little wear. I would recommend em as long as you dont need to use a full length insert in your shoe, but a heelcup is fine. My orthopedic insert just didnt fit well in the shoe and caused it to to be "off center".