Can I use just regular knee socks in fencing?

[Queen_Maleah]

Ok so my questions are: Can I use regular white knee socks that you would get at wal-mart with my fencing pants? Do my socks have to be white? Can I wear socks with monkies on them if I want? Or do I need a specail kind of sock? Are regular socks strong enough?

[Inquartata]

Yes, no( unfortunately ), yes ( ye gods ), no, and it depends.

Cheap "regular" socks will soon develop holes from the stress put on them by footwork. I bought some recently that tore through at the heels after just one practice...both pairs.

OTOH, better quality ones will last quite a while. I use Wigwam heavy-duty ones, with another pair of regular ( but not el cheapo ) ones over them.

Of course, if you fence epee anything will do, inasmuch as you will never move enough to wear them through.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Inq is right (on most counts), and I used Wigwam Seven Footers for years. Ironically, I bought some white "old man knee socks" at Wal-Mart about 18 months ago. They're thin, but strong. They have lasted much better than the Wigwams ever did. I bought two pairs, and I haven't had to break out the second pair yet. These are not "athletic" socks, mind you. These are what Inq would wear with his navy polyester shorts and white shoes while visiting yard sales in his Town Car. For some reason, they're brilliant fencing socks.

[Nolano]

I got some cheap white knee socks from wally world, a few months ago. They've lasted alreight, except when I got hit with a glancing blow to the leg and it tore right through them. I use basically soccer socks, now. I like them better.

[LastLeftyofEL]

In some tournaments they allow different colored socks. In CT I see colored socks all the time.

[fencerbill]

In some tournaments they allow different colored socks. In CT I see colored socks all the time.

I really like Thorlo long basketball socks. They have reinforced heels and toes and have lasted years. Excellent cushioning. May not be the cheapest but who cares when they last so long.

[acaba]

I second fencerbill on the Throlos. I have had 3 pair and used them for the last 6 years. I have finally worn through the bottom of the big toe on a couple of the socks, but the uppers/elastic are still going strong.

(And I don't need garters (How can I keep my socks from rolling down during a bout?) to hold them up).

[Medinilla]

I have both types, but i must say i am really fond of my soccer knee sock Adidas, i dont feel them, they are thin but strong, not a single hole and i have been using them every day for the last 6 months....they are f***** beautiful aswell.

[kanuck]

I also prefer baseball and soccer socks to straight up fencing socks, mostly because they do exactly the same thing (go up to your knee, be durable). Also it's my only hope of getting a decent color selection without going online (School colors and the like for college competition, whites for "big tournaments", whatever for practice).

I suffer from what is commonly known as "large feet", so any steps I can take to shorten the "buy the product" to "return the product because it's too small" period is helpful.

As to buying generic knee socks, I haven't been overly impressed by their durability, most of my friends who did that have been replacing them pretty regularly. If you *must* have the monkeys on your socks (we have a girl with skulls), also wear the lowest ankle sock you can find over them, it will keep the heel and toe intact longer.

[Jyc]

What I do is I wear two pairs of socks when I'm fencing, one regular white for sports and knee socks over them. Haven't had a problem since and it helps with my blisters... Although my shoes are getting really old and they don't fit me well which could be part of the problem.

[gatsby]

i second the adidas soccer socks

you can get a pair of copa's pretty much anywhere for 7.99

they're not sweat sponges and have a padded bottom. in other words: why get anything else?

[freerider258]

OTOH, better quality ones will last quite a while. I use Wigwam heavy-duty ones, with another pair of regular ( but not el cheapo ) ones over them.

Of course, if you fence epee anything will do, inasmuch as you will never move enough to wear them through.

1. OK, I do the whole double-socking thing which helps my fencing footwork, and foot. I currently put my long socks over my ankle socks. Should I be using ankle sock as my other pair when double-socking? I fence epee, which leads me to my other statement...

2. true true not really though

[KD5MDK]

Although my shoes are getting really old and they don't fit me well which could be part of the problem.

That falls into the category of problem and you really ought to do something about it. Even if all you can afford is the $19.99s at Payless, get shoes that fit.