The Official Nike Shoes Thread

[DangerMouse]

Both people I talked to who were wearing them had the low-top shoe version.

[clonardo]

has anyone heard anything about new Adidas shoes? My Adistars are on their way out, and I'd like to delay their exit until some sort of new hotness is available.

[mfencer2008]

I like Ask a Ninja. Also pertaining to the subject, those shoes look sweet for performance! Their design is somewhat ugly though : (.

[bigdawg2121]

BUMP---

Word on the street is that I get to fence in the Nike shoes tonight at practice...if anyone is interested I'd be willing to share my two cents upon my return.

[seak]

The shoes were several sizes to large for me, so I didn't bout in them....

but I did some footwork and they were niiiice. Super light, and seem like they have enough cushioning and heel support. Good lateral stability etc. I think everyone who fenced with them tonight liked them.

BigDawg should have a more complete review for you later, since he actually got to fence in the things

[seven6ty]

Pictures!!!

[bigdawg2121]

I may look into taking a few at some point.

[Squall_Leonhart]

Didn't bother reading the other posts. Pardon if it's a repeat.

I had a chance to try out the new Nike shoes. Here's what I think/know.

They're called the Ballestra, and I think they're just as light, as the LP Scimitars.
For nike's first official try, I think it was well done.
Much like the LP "abrasion zone", the sole has a upper wrap around area for people who drag their back foot when lunging. It's BETTER than the LP in where the rubber is cut so when you walk, the articulation where the ball of your foot doesn't make the upper area of the shoe dig into your foot. LP overlooked this detail.
The upper is mostly mesh, a default idea considering Nike's history with the material. If you pronate your back foot,retreat fast/hard like a sabre fencer, or put most of your weight on the outside edge of your back foot, the mesh will eventually give to wherever stress it most.
Rumor has it it'll be priced around $100.
I liked these better than LP scimitars, and nearly as much as the asymmetrics, maybe more if they grow on me.

Nike made their own fencing symbol and it looks much like the stick figures signifying "sex" separation for bathrooms...except it's fencing. (Olympic games like, as well.) Go figure.

One thing I didn't like was how slick the shoe laces are. I don't like having to pull my laces every time I have to tie them...but that's just me.

[Squall_Leonhart]

Oh, I tried the low-top version. Like it, heel reminded me of the adidas engarde and d'arts. i.e. it's rounded vertically, but not laterally (like the asymmetrics).

[gatsby]

wow i really want these nikes now
for $100 they seem a hell of alot better than the similarly priced d'Arts (which to me, are horribly overpriced for what they are)

[bigdawg2121]

I'll be getting Craig a review shortly as well as pictures. The inside of the shoe isn't actually mesh either; it's a special light material that theoretically is super strong and actually might hold up decently. It's a Nike shoe - no need to further play up possible longevity issues.

FWIW they're nicer than any Adida or Hi-Tec currently available.

[bigdawg2121]

A sneak peek...I'd post more, but I haven't figured out how to post more than photo a post yet.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by bigdawg2121

A sneak peek...I'd post more, but I haven't figured out how to post more than photo a post yet.

They look really nice. Together with your review/comments they might be interesting -- once they 'properly' hit the market.

(As in I haven't seen anyone carry them yet.)

[bigdawg2121]

They come out next year. I'm not sure if this implies Spring '08 or not (I don't think it does though). We just got sent a few pair to test since we'll likely be ordering about 60 or so right off through our contract. Also of note is that they come in many new and interesting colors. One fencer even has an exclusive color scheme. The Chinese team has an exclusive version of more or less the same kind that I just posted but with a red tongue. Tres chic.



Also:

The inside of the shoe. As you can see it's some sort of lightweight, plastic-like material. Thus far pretty tough, reputably very very tough. Also, the things weigh nothing. They're easily the lightest fencing shoe out there.

[HDG]

It looks like they're designed off of a Nike sprinting shoe; if so, I feel vindicated for fencing in their Waffle Racers for years.

[clonardo]

how's the traction?

[wahrman]

I'd probably not buy them because they are Nike. I'm surprised they didn't just
buy another company and slap their name on the former company's product.

Poor Bauer, I miss you. Sniff.

[Barry Paul]

From the F.I.E regulations for branding
'Shoes The name of the brand on each shoe, maximum size 4.5 cm x 2 cm or the normal badge or insignia (e.g. bands)'

From the pictures the Branding looks non-regulation?

[Alex_Paul]

Originally Posted by Barry Paul

From the F.I.E regulations for branding
'Shoes The name of the brand on each shoe, maximum size 4.5 cm x 2 cm or the normal badge or insignia (e.g. bands)'

From the pictures the Branding looks non-regulation?

Yep, they are definitely not FIE legal which is a bit of a boo boo!

I think we would probably consider dropping the adidas for these.

[leftyboy]

Maybe it's not a violation of regulation if they just claim the giant swoosh as part of the color scheme. Not that they'd get away with it.

Also, does the implication from the colors description mean it could possibly be used in that NikeID thing?