AF Elite Fencing Shoe

[Kenji]

So, just wondering, has anyone bought that new shoe from absolute?

[DesertFencer]

I started a post asking the same question and no one else had tried them. I took the plunge and bought a pair.

They fit pretty well. The only problem I have with them is the same problem I have with any other shoe. Since I have flat feet, I usually wear arch supports. This doesn't go over well with these shoes, so I've gone without the supports.

Other than that, they seem pretty decent. I like the heel and the soles. They're my first pair of fencing shoes and I definitely saw a difference with them. Our club meets in a gym with a rubberized floor and the AF shoes worked out much better.

Thumbs up so far.

[Kenji]

Hmm, doesn't sound too bad. I have some onitsuka tigers at the moment, but I seem to be wearing through the tread really fast. Might just be my footwork that's wearing them down so fast. Plus, I've heard that they're not REALLY fencing shoes, so I'm sure that doesn't help. I figure I ought to get some "real" fencing shoes, and the new aboslute ones seem to be a nice price =)

So the fit is good? How bit are your feet? My feet are kinda wide, so shoes tend to not always fit so well. The onitsukas I have are made for small Japanese feet, so they're way too narrow for me (ironic, being that I'm actually 100% Japanese, haha). I wish I knew someplace that had some so I could try them on...

[AntonioDelMonte]

i bought a pair of these at Nationals and the are really comfortable and they are great for training shoes during those long footwork classes Gary from Absolute told me that the next shoe is going to be a hi top version of this shoe i can't wait for those to come out because i have bad ankles

hope that the info helps

[Goldgar]

Originally Posted by Kenji

So, just wondering, has anyone bought that new shoe from absolute?

I had a pair of their prototypes for these shoes, and liked them a lot. I bought a new pair of the final product at Nationals, and so far I like them even more. I saw in another message you posted that you are concerned they might be too narrow. I doubt that will be a problem. My first pair was a little on the wide side, and the new ones are just right.

The insole is very thin, so I've put an extra insole in mine, to give more cushioning to the balls of my feet. It remains to be seen how well they'll wear, but the trial pair lasted through 9 months of heavy wear (4+ days a week), and I expect these will do even better, as they seem to be better made than the prototypes. For the price, I don't think you can beat that.

[Kenji]

Originally Posted by Goldgar

I had a pair of their prototypes for these shoes, and liked them a lot. I bought a new pair of the final product at Nationals, and so far I like them even more. I saw in another message you posted that you are concerned they might be too narrow. I doubt that will be a problem. My first pair was a little on the wide side, and the new ones are just right.

The insole is very thin, so I've put an extra insole in mine, to give more cushioning to the balls of my feet. It remains to be seen how well they'll wear, but the trial pair lasted through 9 months of heavy wear (4+ days a week), and I expect these will do even better, as they seem to be better made than the prototypes. For the price, I don't think you can beat that.

Wow, sounds like a pretty awesome pair of shoes. I think I'll have order a pair.

[fatfencer]

I bought them they were a great price like $39.00 or something plus tax. I bought 2 pair: 8.5's and a pair of nines.

There is a lady at my club in dire need of fencing shoes and I think she will like them. I will let her pick the size.

FOr the price they can't be beat. Also, they allow me to add pieces of hardened vegetable tanned leather to the wear spots on shoes for added durability, i.e. I can experiment on them before I ruin the addidas hi-tops I just bought.

FF

[DesertFencer]

I wear size 12's, as far as I know I'm a normal width. No problems with these shoes.

[Zilverzmurfen]

They look kind of nice, and for the price (USD 49!) they're certainly a bargain. If it wasn't for the added cost of overseas shipping I'd try a pair out.

Edit: If they were available in women's sizes...

[Kenji]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

If they were available in women's sizes...

I was under the impression that all fencing shoes are in men's sizes only? At least, that's what my coach said when I asked her.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Kenji

I was under the impression that all fencing shoes are in men's sizes only? At least, that's what my coach said when I asked her.

I meant a size that fit my feet. I'm a 38, which I think is the equivalent of a size 6 UK. (At least that's the size I have on my D'Art II's.)

If I'm not mistaken only the US sizing system differentiate between Womens and Mens sizes.

[Kenji]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I meant a size that fit my feet. I'm a 38, which I think is the equivalent of a size 6 UK. (At least that's the size I have on my D'Art II's.)

If I'm not mistaken only the US sizing system differentiate between Womens and Mens sizes.

Oh, I get what you mean.

I think that's right. Oh wait, just looked up an international shoe chart. Seems Japan, the UK, and Australia have men's and women's sizes. That's weird, I would've thought that the UK would use European sizes... then again, they do still use the pound, and miles per hour.

[Ordway]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I meant a size that fit my feet. I'm a 38, which I think is the equivalent of a size 6 UK. (At least that's the size I have on my D'Art II's.)

If I'm not mistaken only the US sizing system differentiate between Womens and Mens sizes.

Yeah, it's kind of a boneheaded system.

OTOH, I usually take a size 38 in European shoes, and I do fine with a size 6 (or now, 5) in men's US size.