Best Fencing Shoes?

[135711]

i've been wearing post shoes for a while, they're pretty good, but a little loose, they're canvas. i really liked my low-top uhlman leathers but they were 'misplaced', i was thinking about another pair as well, it would be fun to be able to find something that worked real well. I have gone the route from thinking of getting Keds basketball hightops; to getting another pair of 'real' uhlmann fencing shoes. If a basketball player can jump three feet in the air and land without injuries, they must be pretty good. [even though I don't have a spouse to talk about, they might work just as good?]

[lfortier]

Since my question hasnt been answered yet, again, are PBT's fencing shoes good? I need to know by tomorrow, as I am going to buy shoes at the NAC in Overland Park tomorrow.

[CvilleFencer]

I heard that they were about the same price but inferior to the Adidas gear. Since Poland is not know for manufacturing excelence in well, anything, I think I would stick with the Adidas. Everyone I know that has tried cut rate fencing shoes or offbrands has regreted it and wound up buying some form of Adidas. I think I would recommend you just eleminate the step where you waste your money and get the good stuff.

Of course what do I know, I fence in boxing shoes! :-)

[morpheus]

Originally posted by CvilleFencer
As to shoes I use a pair of Adidas Akrid Boxing Shoes! They have the same powerline soles as the Asymetrics but they wiegh less and only cost about 50USD. The only thing I have needed to do to them is add a pair of sport gel inserts to soften the inpact on my shins and knees.

Are these the same as Adidas Akrid wrestling shoes? If so, you can get them for $35 at intermatwrestle.com. (I know nothing about wrestling or its shoes, but have seen mention of them being used for fencing. At that price it's probably worth a shot.)

[Gav]

I bought a paif of Viktoria shoes recently and have been quite happy with them.

[epeemike81]

Originally posted by Sigurd
Fencing shoes for the most part are not going to be cheap. Triplette Arms sells some very good quality shoes at a decent price (the low tops cost about $100.00) They're made by a Hungarian company. If you would like further details have a look here:

http://www.triplette.com/sport%20fen..._and_socks.htm

They are the FS 1's

Here's a picture:

http://www.triplette.com/sport%20fen...mages/ffs1.jpg

I hope that's of some help.

If 100 is considered cheap, the D'arts are better. there are many places which sell d'arts for 115, and they are well worth the extra 15. in addition, there are certain places which sell them much cheaper. Uhlmann, for example, charges mid 60 euros for d'arts.

-m

[angriff]

Originally posted by wflaschka
I have to recommend shoes to novice and intermediate fencers, but I don't want to break their budgets.

Does anybody have an opinion about the cheapest fencing shoes available, that aren't completely worthless?

If that's what you're looking for, I recommend Li-Ning fencing shoes which are made in China.. certainly way cheaper than any other brand you can find on the market, and pretty decent too.

It's available at www.esun.com.hk/products.html

Look under "shoes." There's only one model displayed there but they should have more.. anyway, how does a pair of fencing boots for US$42 sound to you?

Finally while the shoes are fine I wouldn't recommend their blades..

[lfortier]

Well, I went to NACs in KS yesterday and bought my first pair of fencing shoes, the Addias D'artangians and I LOVE them!. They're really comfy and manuverable (no bisters!), which reminds me- Fencing shoes can normally fit weird/different, so you need to try lots of different styles/brands and see whats best for you, especially since the REALLY good ones are expensive. BTW, I did okay with the competition.

[WoodsideDr]

I'm thrilled with the ASICS volleyball hightops I've been using. Good ankle support and cheaper than Adidas

[Sarah]

I have the Adidas Equiptment, and I love 'em! They're comfy and very hardwearing. I've had them since I started and I fence hard!!!!! I have had them for almost 2 years now. They have good support, and are extremely comfortable. I haven't had any problems with them, except that my laces are pretty worn. But those are easy to replace. Mau I repeat myself again?? They're GREAT!!! Ok, enough said on my part. lol

[Sarah]

mau is meant to be may. Sorry.

[pka214]

I really like the nike X country , zoom waffle, its very light has great grip, and is very flexible and at the same time elastic, it absorbs impact and makes everything a whole lot faster. Granted, its not made for fencing, but it sure feels like it!

-P

[a517dogg]

wow i just bought a pair, they haven't arrived yet. ij ust got them cuz they look ultra cool. i'll try them out for fencing though.

[sparkie]

After many years (25) and many competitions, I have to say that the best shoes ARE NOT fencing shoes. Fencing shoes (adidas) are too expensive and too poorly cushioned.

I recommend Asics volleyball shoes. They have more forefoot and heel cushioning, they have a rounded heel, they don't wear out as fast and they are less expensive.

There are other volleyball and tennis shoes that work as well, but I happen to be partial to Asics.

Remember, most NACs are on concrete floors and, Peter Harmers article (which I disagree with) aside, my practical experience and aching knees tell the tale: concrete with carpet on it just ain't a good surface to fence on.

Originally posted by ra2000a
wat do u feel r the best fencing shoes?

[Tomas N]

I've been fencing in Nike lowtop basketball shoes (or some equivalent shoe) for a long time. I try to find a shoe that's fairly light weight, has a rounded heel, has some flexibility, and yet has enough cushioning to make it through practices and tournaments. I highly recommend heading down to the local discount shoe store and just looking for a pair of shoes that fit your feet well. I've never understood the fascination that fencers have with "fencing" sneakers (but that's just my 2 cents).

Tomas

[CvilleFencer]

Originally posted by Tomas N
I've never understood the fascination that fencers have with "fencing" sneakers (but that's just my 2 cents).

Maybe you should try a pair then hmm? :-) In my experience they give better traction on the piste, have much lighter weight, and are designed with fencing movements in mind. As such they are reinforced at the appropriate spots (the good ones anyway) and will give the right feeling in the right situations. Of course I am currently using a type of boxing shoe... but this style is basically the Adidas Asym without the insole.

You should try a pair on at the next big event you go to, or visit a shop somewhere. I think you might have a change of heart. I get an extra inch or so on my lunges and have faster footwork in the proper shoes. Your results may vary!

[JEC]

Originally posted by CvilleFencer
As to shoes I use a pair of Adidas Akrid Boxing Shoes! They have the same powerline soles as the Asymetrics but they wiegh less and only cost about 50USD. The only thing I have needed to do to them is add a pair of sport gel inserts to soften the inpact on my shins and knees.

I ordered a pair of Akrids and found them light, but despite some gel inserts my knees took a beating. In addition, for some reason, I felt them providing less torsional ankle support than the asymetrics. I switched back to my asymetrics, and felt so much more comfortable. Perhaps, they need some breaking in ...

[bug]

Originally posted by pka214
I really like the nike X country , zoom waffle, its very light has great grip, and is very flexible and at the same time elastic, it absorbs impact and makes everything a whole lot faster. Granted, its not made for fencing, but it sure feels like it!

-P

Yay! Just got my *personalized* zoom waffles in the mail today, they're quite comfy, I can't wait to use them for fencing. Only $55, and they have my nickname on them.

[Tomas N]

Cville,

You can be sure that I've tried fencing shoes. I fenced in adidas sneakers for years. How else could I make a comparison? I'm not sure that the arguments for faster footwork and longer lunges isn't more psychological than physiological, but if it works for you, then that's great. I've reverted to my Nikes exactly because they give more, not less, support and cushioning than any pair of fencing shoes I've ever tried on.

I'm curious about the nike X country. X-trainers usually don't provide much lateral support. Are these pretty good?

Tomas

[CvilleFencer]

Originally posted by Tomas N
Cville,
You can be sure that I've tried fencing shoes. I fenced in adidas sneakers for years. How else could I make a comparison? I'm not sure that the arguments for faster footwork and longer lunges isn't more psychological than physiological, but if it works for you, then that's great.

Just one bit of clarification if you do not mind. You say that you have fenced in Adidas sneakers for years but were they specifically made for fencing? Like the Asyms for example.

I am sure that many things play a factor in the footwear choice such as height, weight, weapon style and personal preference. A friend of mine still fences in a pair of New Balance shoes and is perfectly happy with them.

As to the psychological versus physiological debate, I can only off this highly scientific story. I had a pair of NB basketball sneakers that I loved. Good grip and ankle support and lots of padding. I fenced in them for about 6 months before an accident ended their service life prematurely. I really liked them.

I thought I would get a pair of fencing style shoes, but that I would wind up going back to my sneakers for all but work on a piste. And then I tried them. The fencing style shoes were uncomfortable, felt just weird, and made it difficult to walk normally. And then I fenced in them. Longer lunges, better speed, and more correct fencing posture.

I still like my sneakers better, and I can't wait to pull off my fencers after a tourney but I am a die-hard convert at this point. Next time I think I will go for the full-fledged Asyms, but the Akrids are great for fencing in and of themselves.