Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Nolano · 02-13-2008, 01:31 AM

As the title suggests, it's about time for me to get some fencing shoes.
I have very wide feet(4E), so Adidas are probably not the best idea, as I've heard they run narrow.

I'm pretty open to suggestions, as I don't really know what to look for... I want low tops, and my budget could go as high as $170, maybe, but lower is better, if reasonably possible.

I'm thinking I may wait till the Portland NAC and go try a bunch on.

CvilleFencer · 02-13-2008, 01:58 AM

For that width you may want to consider going with a non-fencing shoe that is very popular with fencers such as the Stabil 3 or 7's from Adidas. You are much more likely to find them in a fit your size. For what its worth, the Leon Paul Hi Tech line of shoes fit the closest to an athletic shoe from any of the ones I have tried. I normally have to go a half or even whole size up in Adidas and many shoes but I can just order my normal size in the LP's. Plus I just like them very much.

There are a ton of brands out there, more so than many fencers know about, so you do have options. A lot of companies that you would not think of off the top of your head (DKNY, Asics, Puma, Le Coq, etc) make fencing shoes but those brands are often not carried by most fencing vendors so if you don't find one that immediately works for you at a tourney or NAC don't lose hope, there are lots of options if you look around. I mention this mainly so that you don't feel trapped into choosing from Adidas/LP/Victoria or the random house brand "usual suspects".

Phaeton · 02-13-2008, 03:13 AM

I also have very wide feet, but luckily just tried on a pair of shoes that worked splendidly. Today I finally got my Adidas Barricades in the mail.

I was using Puma and Yonex shoes prior to this point. The Yonex model that fit me went out of production and the Puma shoes were completely eaten up by metal strips. I asked around and there was a consensus that the barricades run wide.

If you're going to get a non fencing shoe there are a few things to be very careful of. The shoes you need have to have good lateral support, that's why I'd recommend a tennis (like my barricades) or a badminton (like my formerly beloved yonex) shoe.

The shoe should have a heel that you can roll on to when you lunge. That means nothing too bizzare. It should however, have a decent amount of padding on the heel and the ball of the foot. You can generate a lot of force lunging or jumping back, and in my Pumas (driving shoes) I managed to bruise my feet pretty badly just on impact changing directions.

Another overlooked factor in shoes used for fencing is the front toe. I've torn up a lot of nonfencing shoes because they just couldn't stand the beating I gave to the front of the shoe, and the bottom would just come off...

So apart from gripiness...those are some key things to focus on.

uhl-mann · 02-13-2008, 08:52 AM

DO NOT BUY THE EN GUARD SHOES!!!!!!!! I got them and they are crappy and i do not like them.

Beloit Fencer of Old · 02-13-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

*snip*
There are a ton of brands out there, more so than many fencers know about, so you do have options. A lot of companies that you would not think of off the top of your head (DKNY, Asics, Puma, Le Coq, etc) make fencing shoes but those brands are often not carried by most fencing vendors so if you don't find one that immediately works for you at a tourney or NAC don't lose hope, there are lots of options if you look around.

OK, I am not familiar with the DKNY, Puma or Le Coq fencing shoes. I'm curious...does anyone have links to pictures/prices, etc.? I'm an Adidas guy myself, so I probably would not purchase any of these, I'm simply curious.

academe · 02-13-2008, 09:53 AM

Link to images of Le Coq Sportif Escrime:

http://www.amazon.com/Coq-Sportif-Me.../dp/B000DZXN0G

DKNY fencing shoes:

http://www.amazon.com/DKNY-Footwear-...dp/B000HK6ZXY/

***Craig*** · 02-13-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

A lot of companies that you would not think of off the top of your head (DKNY, Asics, Puma, Le Coq, etc) make fencing shoes .

I know for a fact that the DKNY and also Balliston "fencing shoes" are fashion shoes inspired by fencing, not functional fencing shoes. (In other words, they are made to look nice and walk around in, not actually compete in.) I would suspect that this is the case with the Le Coq shoes as well from the photos I've seen.

Craig

TBean · 02-13-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

A lot of companies that you would not think of off the top of your head (DKNY, Asics, Puma, Le Coq, etc) make fencing shoes but those brands are often not carried by most fencing vendors so if you don't find one that immediately works for you at a tourney or NAC don't lose hope, there are lots of options if you look around.

These are not athletic shoes, these are fashion sneakers made in the style of fencing shoes. They would not be an appropriate choice for competing or training.

You might want to try and hold out until the Olympics, if you are willing to go that spendy on the shoe see if the Nike works out for you.

Beloit Fencer of Old · 02-13-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I know for a fact that the DKNY and also Balliston "fencing shoes" are fashion shoes inspired by fencing, not functional fencing shoes. (In other words, they are made to look nice and walk around in, not actually compete in.) I would suspect that this is the case with the Le Coq shoes as well from the photos I've seen.

Craig

Wow...who would think of fencing shoes as a touchstone for fashion??? Yikes! I know I was headed out one day wearing a 20 year old pair of blue-stripe Adidas (very comfy for driving...too old to be used for fencing) and my wife made me take them off before she would let me leave the house.

academe · 02-13-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I know for a fact that the DKNY and also Balliston "fencing shoes" are fashion shoes inspired by fencing, not functional fencing shoes. (In other words, they are made to look nice and walk around in, not actually compete in.) I would suspect that this is the case with the Le Coq shoes as well from the photos I've seen.
Craig

Yea, and they are ugly too...

CvilleFencer · 02-13-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBean

These are not athletic shoes, these are fashion sneakers made in the style of fencing shoes. They would not be an appropriate choice for competing or training.

I would disagree with you, at lest on some of the models. Some of the DKNY shoes have a good sole, leather/suede reenforcement zones, are light weight and low profile and are overall rather similar to some of the older Adidas styles. The Le Coq have a couple of models that are at best questionable for fencing (the one called the "Epee" would seem to be a really bad choice for epee actually) but some of the styles would make a decent fencing shoe and are "athletic" shoes. The Asics shoes were worn by the Japanese Olympic fencing team and so on.

If it is the choice between these and some type of basketball, running or wrestling shoes I would consider some of these models to be a better choice. I am not saying they are the best fencing shoe for everyone (I don't even want to get into that argument), but they are an option if you can't find a dedicated high level sport fencing shoe in your size.

DangerMouse · 02-13-2008, 12:06 PM

Before ordering shoes online, go to a local store and try a variety of shoes on so you know what to look for. You might even find something you like.

I'm using a pair of New Balance that I like better than the Stabils. I bought them on clearance at Big 5 (the new one at 28th and Willamette) for $40.

Hauptman · 02-13-2008, 04:05 PM

I wonder too about the so-called "fashion" fencing shoes. The few I have seen so far have been of comparable quality to any "real" fencing shoe in the same price range.

Now if you want to pay 2 to 4 times more for a "serious" fencing shoe.... that's something different.

forethought · 02-13-2008, 05:33 PM

I recently got a pair of Yonex shoes for competing in, the SHB-100 LTDs, and also a pair of SHB-100 MX to teach in.

The MX pair is nice, felt a little narrow at first but they've broken in nicely, but I friggin LOVE my LTDs; the inside sole is ribbed so that my foot has more traction inside the shoe and therefor slide around less, and the grip on the sole is amazing...it's almost too grippy. Both pairs are fairly light and now they've been broken in, are quite comfortable.

***Craig*** · 02-13-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CvilleFencer

The Asics shoes were worn by the Japanese Olympic fencing team...

Yes they were - in 1984.

Chuck Taylors were also worn by NBA basketball players back in the day. So, why are they relagated to "fashion" duty and not used by high school, college, or pro basketball players now?

Craig

little_old_me · 02-14-2008, 09:01 AM

Nike pays better for the pros. Athletic shoe companies sponsor some college teams (our soccer team is sponsored by Nike). And HS kids don't know any better and buy what they see the pros wear.

(the above is merely a joke and should not be taken as my firm opinion... although there is likely at least a little truth in it.)