fencing shoes

[kmak_577]

my footwork is very slow , well i think so lol. will a pair of fencing shoes make any diffrence over a pair of squack shoes ? if so whats the best ones to go for i like the look of the LP and Hi-tech "blades" they any good ?
thanks

Kmak_577

[stealingophelia]

well i doubt they would make you faster, but depending on your current shoe, they might give you better grip and control. i know that was my case

[kmak_577]

ok thanks , i meant to write squach shoes but i couldnt spell when i wrote it sorry

kmak_577

[shango]

Just do a search on them in the forums, you'll get plenty on it. As for me, I own a pair, and I rate them as much better than the D'Art IIs and highly recommend them.

[Cerian]

squash shoes can be good.

I tried the blades and didn't like them.
I really like the Onitsuka Tiger Fencing LAs.

Good shoes do help.

[Daniella]

I use squash shoes.
Running, dance, regular training + concetration, and footwork is ok.
Other way... shoes can save your head...

[yomi]

indoor soccer shoes are good too....i use a pair of adidas sambas

[achilleus]

my footwork is very slow , well i think so lol. will a pair of fencing shoes make any diffrence over a pair of squack shoes ? if so whats the best ones to go for i like the look of the LP and Hi-tech "blades" they any good ?
thanks

Kmak_577

Really, there are no shortcuts.

You want better footwork, practice.

Some people like fencing shoes, I don't. In my experience, the only benefit they have is the lack of 'catching' on the back foot during the lunge. In terms of traction, support, and durability, they seem to be inferior to other court shoes. And if you look around, you can find court shoes that'll be similar with the 'catching' aspect of fencing shoes.

[foily]

Really, there are no shortcuts.

You want better footwork, practice.

Some people like fencing shoes, I don't. In my experience, the only benefit they have is the lack of 'catching' on the back foot during the lunge. In terms of traction, support, and durability, they seem to be inferior to other court shoes. And if you look around, you can find court shoes that'll be similar with the 'catching' aspect of fencing shoes.

I'm kind of leaning this way myself, finding a pair of court shoes that have rounded heels.

[Mauler]

Shrine of Fencing Shoes

Perhaps this would help in your search for the perfect footwear?

[Moniteur]

I bought a pair of the Adidas "getonup" basketball shoes a few months ago, when I noticed that they shared a lot of resemblance with the Equipment 2000 shoes, but were not assymetrical (I have flat feet, prescription orthotics, and pronation problems, so the tilted midsole of the equip2000's is NOT good for my back knee). Thus far they've been the best shoe i've found to fence in. They're high-tops, very light, ventilated and more supportive than the adidas and pbt fencing shoes I've had, as well as more absorbant in the soles - and they cost me only $80.00.

I'm pretty happy with them.

Still - they won't help your footwork - it's only as good as you are. Of course, in my case, starting my third of law school, and 30 lbs heavier, as good as I am is not so good.

[edwin012290]

i've always heard good alternatives to fencing shoes were like basketball, volleyball shoes. but how about puma? you've probably seen pumas around; they're sleek and they have a "rounded" heel. would they be considered good shoes for fencing?

[achilleus]

I'm kind of leaning this way myself, finding a pair of court shoes that have rounded heels.

I find that most court shoes have rounded heels to some extent. The key, for me at least, is finding those that are not built on a running shoe platform. Many volleyball, and some basketball, and racquetball shoes use the running shoe platform for extra stability, this however, causes the shoe to 'catch' the back foot during the lunge. Especially if you drag.

[achilleus]

i've always heard good alternatives to fencing shoes were like basketball, volleyball shoes. but how about puma? you've probably seen pumas around; they're sleek and they have a "rounded" heel. would they be considered good shoes for fencing?

A fencing shoe is a specialized court shoe. Basketball, volleyball, tennis, and racquetball/squash/badminton shoes are all court shoes with variations.

As for Pumas, why? I mean, they look very similar to fencing shoes, but if that's what you want, why not just buy fencing shoes? Most people who complain about fencing shoes dislike the lack of cushion, support, and durability, so why on earth would they get a shoe that looks the same? In addition, Puma is generally a fashion shoe, not a performace shoe. Personally, I find the performance shoes much better for sports...

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I think achilleus has a shoe fetish.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Oh, yeah, try the dunkmans. Put a better insole in them, and they're a great fencing shoe.

[achilleus]

I think achilleus has a shoe fetish.

You think?

I'm pretty sure I've said in previous threads that I do. I also feel like I have good reason. After getting injured, and said injury relating directly to the lack of support and cushion in fencing specific shoes, I've spent a lot of time trying to find suitable replacements that wouldn't aggravate my injury. What's really sad, is that I'm not the only fencer I know of to have such an injury....

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

You think?

I'm pretty sure I've said in previous threads that I do. I also feel like I have good reason. After getting injured, and said injury relating directly to the lack of support and cushion in fencing specific shoes, I've spent a lot of time trying to find suitable replacements that wouldn't aggravate my injury. What's really sad, is that I'm not the only fencer I know of to have such an injury....

What was the injury? I'm assuming it was something in the knee, or maybe a tarsal injury.

[Gav]

Shrine of Fencing Shoes

Perhaps this would help in your search for the perfect footwear?

LOL.

That is the most anally retentive fencing shoe [fetish] site I've seen. Actually, it's the only one ... but there you go.

[Gav]

Really, there are no shortcuts.

You want better footwork, practice.

This is excellent advice - follow it. There is no shoe which will suddenly give you an edge or give you 'magic feet'. That is just practise - with a liberal pinch of coordination.

Occasionally a bad shoe can affect your footwork, however I think that others have made good statments that should help you purchase suitable shoes. I say avoid running shoes - they give you good cushioning, at the expense of a rounded heel, and I've found that they adversely my footwork in general.