Shoes for Problem Heels

[peterlista]

I have a lot of problems with my heels and Achilles Tendon, and I have had issues for years with my flat feet and some other related issues. Now that I am fencing more often (epee), my sneakers just don't cut it anymore.

Does anyone who has this issue (or a related one) have any suggestions about what "fencing" shoes I ought to be looking at?

Thanks,
Peter Lista

p.s. I'm a college student and would like to keep my costs as low as I can.

[erooMynohtnA]

I would not look at any shoes marketed for fencing. I would definitely look at court shoes. Since I don't have flat feet, I can't tell you what to look for in particular. Someone should be along shortly.

[SensibleStu]

I would recommend getting a set of custom insoles - they are pricey but well worth it, I got a set that were only 50 Euro, probably cheaper wherever you are. I currently have a 150 euro set of insoles which are the best thing since sliced bread imo (they're rigid plasctc and have excellent support).

Just use them in normal fencing shoes or I use squash shoes which are very flat soled and have no support (very little at least) in them so my insoles just slide in without any trouble.

[twohands]

I don´t have flat feet, but I had problems with my right heel when I started fencing. It hurt a lot when lunging. I used to wear a plastic cup inside my right shoe (I was using voleyball shoes then, because I couldn´t afford fencing shoes). I know people who still use it and it really works. Besides, they are very, very cheap. I think they cost around 10 euro, but don´t take it seriously because it´s been a long time since I bought last. Be very careful with your Achilles tendon, if it breaks you are out of the strip for many months. Stretch them thoroughly before and after fencing. Watch your footwork technique as well, don´t lift your foot too high when lunging, just a couple cm. and be sure to land your heel first.

[rudd]

Short term

Get a heel cup and/or a pair of shoes with a well cushioned heel to alleviate the heel pain.
Get off the shelf (Profoot,Superfeet) or custom orthotics.

Long term.

Improve your lunge.
Fix your feet as much as possible.

[peterlista]

I would not look at any shoes marketed for fencing. I would definitely look at court shoes. Since I don't have flat feet, I can't tell you what to look for in particular. Someone should be along shortly.

I have looked into court shoes, but am unsure which ones would be best suited to fencing footwork (especially in epee where I am bouncing a lot).

I would recommend getting a set of custom insoles - they are pricey but well worth it, I got a set that were only 50 Euro, probably cheaper wherever you are. I currently have a 150 euro set of insoles which are the best thing since sliced bread imo (they're rigid plasctc and have excellent support).

I currently have insoles for my dress shoes and sneakers, but I do think I will look into getting some specifically for whatever shoes I purchase. My concern is that the insole won't provide the protection needed... so I am still looking for a decent shoe.

Improve your lunge.

My lunge doesn't seem to be the issue, it is the epee footwork that is killing me. When I bounce and move, it starts to hurt no matter how much I stretch it out (which I do).

[peterlista]

I was looking into Racquetball Shoes because I know they would work out well on the gym floors I usually fence on. I hear that they offer good support, but I am still a little unsure.

What do you think?

http://www.squashgear.com/head-super...men-shoes.html

http://www.squashgear.com/asassqsh.html

http://www.squashgear.com/asast55mesqr.html

[migopod]

The Asic gel rocket has removable insoles, so you could pretty easily replace the stock insole with one that better suits your feet.

Out of curiosity, are you by any chance invulnerable everywhere except your heel?

edit re Gel Rocket. They're pretty good on gym floors and at least AF aluminum pistes, which are the only two surfaces I've yet tested mine on.

[WGH]

I have a lot of problems with my heels and Achilles Tendon, and I have had issues for years with my flat feet and some other related issues. Now that I am fencing more often (epee), my sneakers just don't cut it anymore.

Does anyone who has this issue (or a related one) have any suggestions about what "fencing" shoes I ought to be looking at?

Thanks,
Peter Lista

p.s. I'm a college student and would like to keep my costs as low as I can.

]

Not a doctor so take my advice with a grain of salt, but I think inserts are really what you need. And a decent pair of court shoes, but I don't think you'll find a pair that does exactly what you need. I used to have the exact same problem when I was doing martial arts, especially kickboxing. You stretch out the tendon before hand, sure, but once you start bouncing everything tightens up and refuses to let go and you find yourself limping for the rest of the night.

Gel heel inserts really helped me, but what really solved it was yoga. How is your forward flexibility? When mine was at its worst, I couldn't even touch my ankles without ducking my feet out, basically taking the whole calf-acheilles tendon-planterfacia pain zone out of the mix. The combo of long deep stretching and gel heel inserts really did it for me. By the time I stopped doing yoga I could stretch 12 inches past my feet without ducking and surprise surprise... no more pain! Can't claim to be able to do that anymore... but I can get past my foot at least and my foot only hurts if I forget to stretch.

[peterlista]

Out of curiosity, are you by any chance invulnerable everywhere except your heel?

Haha, well, I have practically no arch in my foot and can't pronate my foot (if that makes any sense). Ultimately, it is a heel and Achilles Tendon issue.

[SensibleStu]

If you have no arch in your foot then this is contributing to your achilles problem and no matter what shoes you get you will still need an orthotic of some kind - believe me, all the problems with footwork will go away after time (achilles injuries take time to heel - pun intended ). reason it still hurts, as I'm sure you know, is because as ou bounce and then move you foot onto the flat, you foot moves inwards, tweaking you achilles and you heel (the picture shows a very exaggerated version but it.s the same thing.

foot-pronation-diagram.jpg

The ones you have for other shoes will still work if they fit into whatever shoe you decide to get - they will be better than nothing.

These are the shoes I use - they're about 40 euro, so about 60 dollars or so
http://www.hi-tec.com/uk/40615-produ...ssic-mens.html

[Hauptman]

I currently have insoles for my dress shoes and sneakers, but I do think I will look into getting some specifically for whatever shoes I purchase. My concern is that the insole won't provide the protection needed... so I am still looking for a decent shoe.

I think you answered the most important question; if you need insoles for your walking shoes it seems even more necessary to have them for your athletic shoes which will put your feet under even more stress.

That said, I usually buy a cheaper shoe that fits my needs, rip out the insert and replace it with a high quality insole. Some shoes don't have removable inserts so that is something I look for.

For me, traction is the most important characteristic, since the insole I put in gives me the comfort I need. And traction will depend on the surface. If you fence on multiple surfaces you might even find that you need a different shoe for each surface to get the ideal traction.

[peterlista]

Like I said before, I do use an insole with the sneakers I use currently for fencing. What I need are some shoes to compliment them.

I really like the Hi-Tec Squash Shoes mentioned earlier... they get very good reviews (and look nice too).

http://www.hi-tec.com/uk/40615-produ...ssic-mens.html

[TBean]

My lunge doesn't seem to be the issue, it is the epee footwork that is killing me. When I bounce and move, it starts to hurt no matter how much I stretch it out (which I do).

Moving or bouncing, which is it. If B - don't bounce - there is nothing in a secret epee handbook that says you have to bounce.

As for court shoes, I have known several good epee fencers to like squash shoes. Badminton shoes could also help - many of the same kinds of moves in the sports. Personally I wear volleyball shoes - Adidas Lightsters.

[peterlista]

I've decided to get these shoes from Head.

http://www.squashgear.com/head-super...men-shoes.html

What do you all think?

[DRed]

One thing that seems to have been missed (I've skimmed through so may have missed this) is to recognise when your shoes have had it.
This is not the same as your shoes physically falling apart, the heel on the front foot will usually be the first bit to go. If your shoes are causing bruising on the heel (if in doubt, ask!) then it's probably time to throw the shoe out.

[damianip]

I've decided to get these shoes from Head.

http://www.squashgear.com/head-super...men-shoes.html

What do you all think?

The heel is kind of square. I'd look for one with a little more rounding.

I use Prince T8 shoes (about 70 bucks) when training and my feet are sore. I still compete in my real fencing shoes.

http://tennisexpress.com/PRINCE-T8-M...ite-Navy-12576

I've also used Head squash shoes, but they no longer make the ones which worked well for me.

However, one of the most comfortable "real" fencing shoes I ever had were the Estoc fencing shoes.

http://sword-masters.com/catalog/images/sh_big.jpg

They are funny looking but they feel great. The only reason I don't use them any more is that my Viktoria high tops are almost as comfortable, lighter and "quicker" (they fit a bit more snugly, minimizing "shoe slop").

Paolo

[peterlista]

The Prince T8 shoes get very good reviews, and look better too. I'll add them to the shoes I am considering. What is the reasoning behind the rounded heel?

Do you think they would fit an insole or heel cup? And how well have they held up?

[damianip]

The Prince T8 shoes get very good reviews, and look better too. I'll add them to the shoes I am considering. What is the reasoning behind the rounded heel?

Do you think they would fit an insole or heel cup? And how well have they held up?

The rounded heel eases the transition of the front foot as it lands at the end of an advance or lunge. Without it, the heel acts as a hinge of sorts and the rest of the foot slaps down. Plus, it gives a bit more support over a wider range of angles as the foot lands.

The shoes are pretty well cushioned so: a heel cup may not necessary or fit.

They have held up well so far. I'm murder on shoes, being rather large.

Paolo

[peterlista]

The shoes are pretty well cushioned so: a heel cup may not necessary or fit.

I really need a shoe I can put an insole in, any other suggestions?