Are Cheap Shoes Worth It?

[chinbeard]

Is there much of a difference between tennish or cross-training shoes and low-end fencing shoes? Do shoes matter that much?

[remistress]

Over time, I've become a firm believer in good shoes.

I started in cross trainers....wicked shin splints due to the raised heel on the suckers. I then did the cheap look like fencing shoes but aren't fencing shoes deal. These weren't all that bad, but weren't constructed to give good arch support (IMHO needed) or deal with the impact of coming down hard on the front heel and tended to fall apart rather quickly. Presently I have some middling quality fencing shoes. They seem to be holding up pretty well. That's my two cents.

[counterattack]

Is there much of a difference between tennish or cross-training shoes and low-end fencing shoes? Do shoes matter that much?

How good are you knees and ankles? I don't have foot/ankle problems and I find that the durability and grip are most important to me. I have friends who suffer shins splints, sore ankles, arch problems, etc. They find the exact shoe fit and support to be VERY important. No one can pick shoes for you. You need to constantly assess how your feet and legs feel during and after fencing. If your body complains then find and fix the problem asap before it becomes something chronic or permanent.

For me, I like the Leon Paul Hightec shoes. I also liked the old Adidas D'Artgnan shoes, but the new ones just don't hold up to the Zivovic cheese grater metal strips I fence on. Both of these shoes are very minimal flat shows, the Leon Paul having all kinds of re-inforcement of the side and ends to add durability.

The fencers I know who need more support and cushioning go with Stabils. I personally cannot stand to have such a big heel on my shoes and have no motivation to learn to like it.

I have not used any of the Chinese shoes available, by the time I knew they existed I had found things I liked and that worked for me. I have never heard any one rave about them, but I have heard a few people say the Li Ning high tops were servicible.

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Sometimes, people blame their shoes for problems they have with their body (soreness, injuries, ect)...

But more often, they should be blaming themselves (muscle imbalances, poor form, ect). The shoes dont **** you up, you **** yourself up while wearing the shoe. The key word is YOU.

The important things to consider with a shoe are fit, traction and durability.

I've had good results with Asics Gel Rockets and Adidas Barricades, but I've also had good results in hiking boots and worn out lawn mowing shoes. With that said, I think "fencing" shoes are overpriced and under quality.

[FoilyDeath]

Good shoes can avoid an injury. Good isn't necessarily expensive, but some shoes will just get you hurt. A good sole which won't trip you and sustains large impacts is what you really need, and then its mainly your personal preference.

[chinbeard]

The fencers I know who need more support and cushioning go with Stabils.

I haven't really had problems with my running shoes (although it seems like a little more lateral support might be nice), but I think I would have problems with the fencing shoes that look more like decorated socks than shoes. Which Stabils are you talking about, Adidas or Saucony?

[gatsby]

adidas soccer shoes.
50 dollars and have everything you need

[chinbeard]

What about those Asisics Tiger shoes?

[leftyboy]

adidas soccer shoes.
50 dollars and have everything you need

Unless you roll your back foot often, as I do. Blisters are a problem. Other than that, they really are great bang for your buck.

[academe]

What about those Asisics Tiger shoes?

Please. These are just fashion shoes. Stick a fork in this topic, I'm tired of seeing people bring them up...these shoes are not for serious fencers...nor should they be for recreational fencers. They are the equivalent of playing basketball in Chuck Taylor All Stars. Can you use them? Yes. Are you risking injury if you use them for any kind of semi-serious effort? Yes.

[chinbeard]

Unless you roll your back foot often, as I do. Blisters are a problem. Other than that, they really are great bang for your buck.

Which ones?

[FoilyDeath]

Please. These are just fashion shoes. Stick a fork in this topic, I'm tired of seeing people bring them up...these shoes are not for serious fencers...nor should they be for recreational fencers. They are the equivalent of playing basketball in Chuck Taylor All Stars. Can you use them? Yes. Are you risking injury if you use them for any kind of semi-serious effort? Yes.

Thank you. Took a while.
There are a bunch of nice fencing based shoes out there, but proper fencing shoes are a different matter. I actually have a pair of Coq Sportif Escrime I really like just to wear around, but they we're based on the designs of over 20 years ago.
Same goes for the DKNY and Asics. The Asics are based on a more up to date model, so probably more suitable, but far from ideal.

[gatsby]

Please. These are just fashion shoes. Stick a fork in this topic, I'm tired of seeing people bring them up...these shoes are not for serious fencers...nor should they be for recreational fencers. They are the equivalent of playing basketball in Chuck Taylor All Stars. Can you use them? Yes. Are you risking injury if you use them for any kind of semi-serious effort? Yes.

this man speaks the truth.

but anyway, to answer the question: i use these

http://www.soccer.com/IWCatProductPa...archQuery=sala

anything like that should work fine.

[Cgriml3y]

Which fencing shoes have a good arch support?

I'm also looking into buying fencing shoes, I've been using new balance for about 5 years now.. and yea.....

just thought I'd sneak the question in.

[fleshbroiler]

Some people can get away with minimally sophisticated footwear. I bought my first pair of fencing shoes back around the holidays and I went as economical as possible. I regret that decision now and I should have known better. I weigh around 220# and my shoes have no footbed support and no heel support or padding. After a few lunges my front heel and metatarsal areas ache then become numb. I refit these with Superfeet footbeds and gel heel cups and they're better but I probably should have done some homework and picked out shoes as carefully as I'd select any specialized footwear like running shoes, cycling shoes, etc.

[Blakeian]

Thank you. Took a while.
There are a bunch of nice fencing based shoes out there, but proper fencing shoes are a different matter. I actually have a pair of Coq Sportif Escrime I really like, but they we're based on the designs of over 20 years ago.

I've got a pair of them. And yeah they're not to be compared with actual fencing shoes despite the origins of their design.

To The Original Poster: You want to use a shoe that provides support and has a sole that wont get torn apart by lunging. It isn't necessary to have fencing specific shoes as you can use Volleys or any court shoe really if you want. Personally I train with two pairs; cross trainers and fencing specific. I use the cross trainers during the warm up which often means sprints and if need be I can do footwork/fence in them if I forget my other shoes.

I use Scimitars with orthopaedics mostly because I have wide flat feet and in terms of internet ordering they are one of the easier types to obtain. I have used the Hi-Tec Blades and they're also great. My biggest problems with both shoes are the eyelets (or lack there of in the Blades) and the laces but these are minor problems.

As for arch support most shoe manufactures (in general - not just fencing related) are moving away from arch support and opting for a flat sole. This is because it is the prevailing opinion among podiatrists. If you need arch support because you have flat feet or whatever get some orthopaedics.

[fencerX]

Which fencing shoes have a good arch support?

Any or all. At least when you rip out the original innards and add new footbeds or your own arch support.

The same goes for any other type of sports shoe as well, of course.

[AdamH]

Feiyue.Thin, rubber soles. Canvas lace-ups. Bought my first pair a few years ago on EBay for £4.99. Just back from China where I bought 3 pairs for 26yuan (~£1.80) each. Best thing ever.

[Nolano]

I have a friend who fenced in England for a few years... She has a pair of Hightec athletic shoes. They're not fencing shoes, but they're made by the company that makes Leon Paul shoes. She said they're very nice, for about $35-$40

[commiemermaid]

I switched to low-end fencing shoes because I have *very* skinny feet, and for whatever reason the Adidas shoes are in quite a thin width. They fit me much better than anything except my running shoes (which are AAA width) and are a lot lighter.

I went with the En Gardes because someone told me the only difference was the quality of material; i.e., how long they'd last. I figure by the time I wear them out it'll be time for an upgrade anyway.

I think they cost me around $70 from Absolute. To me, they're worth it for the weight and fit. I recommend trying on whatever shoe you're looking at before you buy, to see if that makes a difference.