Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Empty Wallet · 08-04-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanovice

G'day All!

Also, and probably more importantly- what are my chances of getting them delivered to me in Aus? it looks like the nike website only ships within the states- do we have any idea who else may stock it though?

As these seem to have been released on NikeStore, I too played around and found the Customer Service notes only allow US delivery -- backed by a US issued credit card.

I called Nike locally here in Oompa and they said that there is no way of directly getting them from the US. If the local Nike operation does not have them listed, then they are seemingly unavailable because they are not cataloged to other countries. Australia is, apparently, one that is out in that ruling.

Unless they change the plan and start using retailers, best to befriend someone in the US and go through them and have them forwarded.

I note that fNet refers to the Nike site, so not luck here

EW

bigdawg2121 · 08-05-2008, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanovice

G'day All!

Considering these have only just hit the webstore i'm guessing not too many of us have tried this shoe yet- but it looks mighty awesome (its going to have to be if there going to extort us this badly for it!) Just a question to those who have tried it, or generally wear nike shoes. How true to size would these shoes run? I wear a 10 in adidas indoor shoes for fencing and im not sure where to go with these nike ones. Should i try on a pair of their indoor soccer shoes to get a feel for size maybe?

Also, and probably more importantly- what are my chances of getting them delivered to me in Aus? it looks like the nike website only ships within the states- do we have any idea who else may stock it though? I generally go through LP but considering their sale on the old adistars ive got a feeling theyre just getting ready to stock the new ones... Apologies for the ramble! Hopefully you guys can sort me out though!

Couple things:

1) The damn things are running WAY large...I tried a 9 today and it was right around the edge of my acceptable range and I usually wear a 10 (or 9.5 depending) in fencing shoes. Order at least a half size down, probably a size. I wouldn't be surprised if someone found a size and a half under to be right.

2) Can't blame them for ncharging $220 entirely. I mean, look at the Adidas offerings; they're pricing high and they're clearly saying F*** It to actually producing quality fencing shoes and just giving us court shoes with slightly rounder heels. If the competitor can give us crap for $220+ why shouldn't Nike market their clearly-better-designed/researched shoe for a similar price? Sadly, I think they may have all priced court shoes into a bigger share of the market....maybe that was Adidas plan since the only way they could win in head to head fencing-specific shoe battle would be to re-release the assymetrics (Equipment Fencing line)....why can't they just give me two symmetrical shoes with the same front shoe design? They'd probably still have a competitive dog in the fight then....oh well; this is why I don't get paid the big bucks.

3) Is it just us or has anyone else noticed that the Ballestra's do not ship as Ballestra Fencing? All of ours came labeled "Beijing Fencer Shoe" on the box. I'm glad they know that the shoe is for the fencer not for some abstract concept such as the sport itself

sanovice · 08-05-2008, 04:21 AM

Thanks for the help so far guys!

Yeah, i mean i wasnt too optimistic about getting them directly from nike, i just thought a fencing store with a decent online dept would retail them, but thats not looking too certain. Ive got a few friends to call on in the US if needs be, but it just looks like theres too many variables in the mix now to get them sent over at (relatively) great cost to find that they dont fit right etc...

That being said, they definitely look like the better of the fencing shoes being released this year. The soles on my Bigroar 3's are comparable enough to the new D'arts that it doesnt warrant the $70 price difference (plus i can buy them without shipping!) and while on one angle the new adistars look money, the inside appears to be covered in warts/nipples. Apparently theyre fairly light though, and shippable to Aus nicely (theyre on eastbay btw, I know many people quite like their stuff, and my mates get bulk orders in on eastbay stuff and split shipping) I'm just not sure what my options are. Wait a little longer perhaps? or scoop up some old adistars/D'arts on sale? What do you reckon (sorry if this has hijacked the thread a bit)

Empty Wallet · 08-05-2008, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanovice

Thanks for the help so far guys!

Yeah, i mean i wasnt too optimistic about getting them directly from nike, i just thought a fencing store with a decent online dept would retail them, but thats not looking too certain. Ive got a few friends to call on in the US if needs be, but it just looks like theres too many variables in the mix now to get them sent over at (relatively) great cost to find that they dont fit right etc...

It seems as though they are only going to sell directly online for now. Bit of a pain for people anywhere else in the world. Perhaps the inlaws could be of use for something.

My kids wear HiTec squash shoes. Still a lot more than Bigroar, but comfortable and long wearing

bigdawg2121 · 08-05-2008, 05:34 AM

Hmmm....I can't imagine them only selling online and withing the US. I could potentially see Nike not being all that terribly concerned with the world market for fencing shoes (i.e. they did it b/c they had to for the contract and now no longer care) but it just doesn't make sense not to go ahead and make them available to fencing vendors since they're already making the damn things in at least 4 different color schemes already.

Craig? Any plans to stock the shoe or even info on whether it's an option?

btw...If anyone is planning to buy a pair and wouldn't mind ordering a pair of the Obsidian/Photo-Blue for me, I'll send you my unused pair of White/Light blue in exchange*.

*I might also consider it for the Granbassi colored ones too...they're actually not as bad looking as I thought they might be.

***Craig*** · 08-05-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdawg2121

Craig? Any plans to stock the shoe or even info on whether it's an option?

We are talking but their wholesale dept. is used to footlocker and larger - they're not really comfortable with the whole niche market thing yet.

Craig

wbowman · 08-05-2008, 02:19 PM

That's too bad. I'm interested, but I'd prefer not to buy shoes that I can't try on -- especially given bigdawg's remark that they're running large.

I'm sure lots of others feel the same way. If you're still trying to talk to them, please make that point.

***Craig*** · 08-05-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbowman

That's too bad. I'm interested, but I'd prefer not to buy shoes that I can't try on -- especially given bigdawg's remark that they're running large.

I'm sure lots of others feel the same way. If you're still trying to talk to them, please make that point.

Just looked at the store and Nike Ballestra is already out of stock of some sizes in the US Team model and the White/Blue model. The NikeStore is giving free shipping on orders of $175 or more and if you register with the store you can log in for free return shipping labels.

So, for doing exchanges they seem very painless. Here's the link to the Nike shoes [link].

Craig

Ersatz999 · 08-05-2008, 04:10 PM

Also, using promo code BACKTOSPORT when checking out saves 20%, $44 off for the ballestras.

LTranter · 08-05-2008, 05:04 PM

umm...K...So why are the purple and pink ones only $160, but the rest are $220? I'm just not a 'pink' kinda girl or I would be all over that. Did some one have a big "oops" on listing that color as a Mens shoe??

L

Pescados666 · 08-05-2008, 05:07 PM

They are, eh? That makes them look a bit better then >_>
I wonder if no one will notice if I get socks that gradient from a matching pink into a white?

jesus_l11 · 08-05-2008, 05:32 PM

so all of them are 160 now except the red one

Pescados666 · 08-05-2008, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus_l11

so all of them are 160 now except the red one

And the solid blue one.

This drop in price is good.

jesus_l11 · 08-05-2008, 05:38 PM

yeah im going to buy them now bad thing they charge taxes

Pescados666 · 08-05-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus_l11

yeah im going to buy them now bad thing they charge taxes

With that coupon, it should cover tax and then some.

jesus_l11 · 08-05-2008, 05:51 PM

i dont think it works the coupon doesnt work

jesus_l11 · 08-05-2008, 05:53 PM

never mind it works

TooLoftheDeviL · 08-05-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesus_l11

i dont think it works the coupon doesnt work

The coupon code is case-sensitive.

jesus_l11 · 08-05-2008, 05:54 PM

yeah i know it works

MHS Fencer · 08-05-2008, 06:04 PM

The prices seem to be fluctuating every time I switched color schemes - sometimes the pink were 220 and sometimes 160 - ditto for the white and light blue, which I ended up grabbing. I'm wondering if they're keying off of relatively popularity or something for the lower price - anybody else have a similar experience?