Looking for History of Fencing Shoes

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

I started fencing about 18 years ago, and have taken several multiple-year breaks from the sport. As a result of my absences, I'm a little behind on what's happened with shoes.

When I started, the blue&gold stripe Adidas were, to the best of my knowledge, the end-all of fencing shoes. They were made in Germany. Some people had similar looking shoes, also Adidas, which had a bit of red at the heel, which I understood to be French-made Adidas.

Years later, when I had to replace my shoes, what was availale were "Purple-stripe Adidas," which I was actually wearing until a couple of weeks ago. I know there were "Black-stripes" and "Asyms" which people seemed to really like. However, I just purchased some D'Art IIs (Fencing Post...$80!). I decided on them because they looked like they would feel similar to the old Adidas I am used to, but I was surprised that they actually cost less than the old shoes I used to buy in the late '80s!

Then I saw...MADE IN CHINA. What? Is there such a thing as a German-made fencing shoe? What has happened over the years? I know Scimitar, whoever that is, makes a popular shoe, but they look ungainly to me. And the "Adistar" shoe, well, I don't hear a lot of great reviews about it, and at that price, I want to hear that it's Cat's Ass before I go with it.

What's happened with the fencing shoe market over the last two decades, and is Adidas no longer the shoe of the serious fencer?

[FencingKitten]

Paging Mauler, I've lost your link...

[Dunar]

Many serious fencers still wear Adidas. And the Scimitar is made by Leon Paul (who happens to also have and adidas shoe on their site : http://www.leonpaulusa.com/fencing/a..._Socks_32.html )

[HDG]

And the Scimitar is made by Leon Paul

Well, by Hi-Tec for LP...

[oiuyt]

http://home.nj.rr.com/santarefjay/shoes/history.html

-B

[achilles_heal]

my first coach had those yellow stripe adidas. i had no idea they were from the '60s. man. they were revered by the other older fencers as the best shoe ever.

mr roboto looks better to me though.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Does anyone know if they even make ANY fencing shoes in Germany anymore? And if not, when did they stop?

[Asprin]

I really like these "Sabre model - "The Neo-Fleche"", it wpould be fun to fence in them!!

[CvilleFencer]

To my knowledge Adidas does not make any of their shoes in Germany. I would be very surprised to find that someone did considering cost...

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

To my knowledge Adidas does not make any of their shoes in Germany. I would be very surprised to find that someone did considering cost...

That's a bummer, as the made in Germany shoes were of very good quality IMO. We'll see how these Chinese D'Art IIs do....

[CvilleFencer]

I only wear them when teaching and giving lessons (about 3 nights a week) as I use LP's as my serious fencing shoe, but I have had the Dart II's for almost 2 years now and they are holding up very well. I think they are a fair bit better made than the original darts as I burned through a pair of those in 6 months at best.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

I only wear them when teaching and giving lessons (about 3 nights a week) as I use LP's as my serious fencing shoe, but I have had the Dart II's for almost 2 years now and they are holding up very well. I think they are a fair bit better made than the original darts as I burned through a pair of those in 6 months at best.

Cville...thanks for the insight. I guess I won't feel bad about spending $80 on the D'Art IIs...especially as I regularly see them priced at $120 elsewhere. Also, how do you feel the LP's are better?

[Mauler]

Years later, when I had to replace my shoes, what was availale were "Purple-stripe Adidas," which I was actually wearing until a couple of weeks ago.

I was in love.... then I met Assym.

[FoilyDeath]

Viktoria's are still made in Germany, and are in my opinion still the best on the market...assuming you can get a hold of them.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Viktoria's are still made in Germany, and are in my opinion still the best on the market...assuming you can get a hold of them.

Which ones are Viktorias? Do they have some visual characteristic which helps in identifying them? Where have you found them in the past?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Which ones are Viktorias? Do they have some visual characteristic which helps in identifying them? Where have you found them in the past?

'Absolute Fencing Gear' sells them, as do Negrini.

I've mostly seen italians wear them so I always thought they were italian made...

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

'Absolute Fencing Gear' sells them, as do Negrini.

I've mostly seen italians wear them so I always thought they were italian made...

Wow, thanks! Those are cool! Thanks, Zilverzmurfen!

[qatet]

As with most fencing shoes, the problem with Viktorias is that they tend to wear through if you turn your back foot. A number of fencers at my club love them, but one managed to wear through the back shoe down to his sock over the course of Nationals last year - a mere six or seven days of competition on the shoe-eating strips.

One of our fencers has had luck with firmly attaching a thick leather exoskeleton over the spot where one is likely to wear through the shoe. When that starts to wear through he takes off the patch and adds another layer.

[FoilyDeath]

Or just tape. A lot.
Viktorias make great chose: however, be aware 4 models are available at the moment: the competition High and Low(the newest models) and the Pro Alto and Comp Low, the older high and low models. The old models have been discontinued, but a few suppliers still have a few if you ask. Hence, they come cheap.