SHOES. Again.

[bug]

Yeah, I know there are a ton of threads on fencing shoes, but my question is a little more specific. I'm looking for a shoe that has good lateral and arch support, as the shoes I'm wearing now make my arches sore. My back foot also rolls forward more than it used to when I lunge because there's no shoe to stop it from doing so. (I'm currently using cross-country shoes. Very nice and light, helps to move quickly, but there just isn't a lot of shoe to protect my foot.)

That said, I'm looking at the various Adidas shoes, in particular the Asymetrics and D'Artagnans. I don't know if the Asymetrics are really worth the price, and if they add any extra support at all to foot as compared to the D'Artagnans. However if any one has any other shoe that they recommend, that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks!

[noodle]

there are no shoes that will make you not roll your back foot. i've seen lots of fencing shoes with holes in their sides because of people who roll their back foot. that said, asymetrics have better arch support and are a little wider, i think. they have all the right padding in all the right places. they're more expensive than the d'artagnans because of the specific extra padding that they don't put on the d'artangans. as far as longevity, that really depends on the fencer and how they take care of their shoes.

[Peach]

Put arch supports in your fencing shoes. That's what I did (until I got custom orthotics which do approximately the same thing but cost 30 times as much).

[MyraTrue]

I second Peach! *looking at my cheap cheap fencing shoes* Added inserts for $9, and I've had no problems since. Fencing shoes versus crosstrainers is such a difference. I slide around less in my shoes, and I roll my foot less simply because the shoe stays in place.

[CarlKnoch]

I wanted to go cheap on shoes when I started so I got star fighter low tops. Within 5 mnths (maybe 4, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt there) I had blown out the front of the right shoe completely. I'm a righty so that means apparently I was landing lunges too hard on that foot. On one lunge, my foot slid right out the front between the upper and the sole which had split entirely appart.

I've had D'Arts for about 9 months now and they seem fine to me. I did change the inserts, but even that was hard as I had to custom cut them. D'Arts are more narrow than normal sport shoes, and most off the shelf insoles just wouldn't fit.

[damianip]

Originally posted by CarlKnoch
I wanted to go cheap on shoes when I started so I got star fighter low tops. Within 5 mnths (maybe 4, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt there) I had blown out the front of the right shoe completely. I'm a righty so that means apparently I was landing lunges too hard on that foot. On one lunge, my foot slid right out the front between the upper and the sole which had split entirely appart.

I've had D'Arts for about 9 months now and they seem fine to me. I did change the inserts, but even that was hard as I had to custom cut them. D'Arts are more narrow than normal sport shoes, and most off the shelf insoles just wouldn't fit.

My son had the same problem with Star Fighters. He blew through the front in about 3 months. He's had D'Artangnans for almost 18 months now, and they're still holding up (although they might need new soles soon).

Paolo

[mifencer]

My vote is with the Asyms. I have a pair that's lasting me more than 2 years, still with good tread. I fence about 2-3 times/week not including competitions. I also (just recently) put a pair of orthotics in.

WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME THAT PLANTER FASCITIS IS A COMMON INJURY AMONG FENCERS?!?! Planter Fascitis is the ligament from the heel to the palm of your foot. After I was diagnosed, a lot of fencers said, "yeah, I've had that too."

My recommendation: buy the asyms, get some arch supports, don't worry too much about your back foot rolling, and streched your Planter ligament.

[mfp]

Don't depend on fencing shoes for arch support, instead add "appliances" (orthotics or arch supports) to the shoes to do the job.

I used to roll my back foot far too often during lunges. I also suffered from shin splints after a long day of fencing on certain surfaces. I tried several types of shoes but none really helped much. Then about 6 months ago I added a pair of $20 orthotic supports and haven't rolled my back foot since. No more shin splits either. The inserts can be moved from pair to pair of shoes as needed as well.

Spenco is a major manufacturer of shoe appliances:

http://www.spenco.com/home.html

You can order their supports/orthotics from over 2 dozen places online or find them in various retail stores.

I looked into custom orthotics too but was told by the doc that if the Spencos seemed to be fine for me, then the custom orthotics wouldn't do anything further other than make me a couple hundred $ poorer.

[Rolls]

and streched your Planter ligament

So, how do you stretch your Planter ligament?

Rolls.

[achilleus]

Fencing shoes provide very little support and cushioning, especially if you fence on concrete like at the NAC's. Custom or over the counter inserts are necessary if you are developing foot pain, leg pain, and even back pain.

Also of importance is that your shoes fit properly. Fencing shoes have never fit me that well, and I have always been able to find a good pair of volleyball or squash shoes that fit perfectly.

Cross country shoes aren't meant for the movements that are used in fencing. Tennis, volleyball, basketball, and indoor court shoes all have similar movements and provide better support and cushioning than fencing shoes.

They due have drawbacks such as weight, and some don't drag well. If looking for an alternative to fencing shoes and less pain while fencing you need to try a couple of different styles and see what works for you and your feet.

[mifencer]

Originally posted by Rolls
So, how do you stretch your Planter ligament?

Rolls.

Kind of the same way of stretching your calf or hamstring. Let's say I wanted to stretch my right planter. Do a small lunge with your left foot, point both feet forward and try to put down your right heel. DON'T BOUNCE. Hold stationary for about 20 secs.

[bug]

Thanks for all of your advice, I really appreciate it.

My feet are also rather narrow, so if you know of any shoes that run rather narrow, that would be good too.

Thanks again!

[danp]

Oooh, I feel a Cliff Klaven coming on! "A little known fact there Normie" .. sorry :-)

Here's a device that will help you picture a planar stretch:

https://helius.safe-order.net/cgi-he...s/a/b.cgi?p=ff

My doc once told me that Planar Fascia stretching doesn't help for sharp traumas like those sometimes caused by fencing. If you've injured it, best not to stretch until your doc says it's OK.

He also said the stretching is not in the planar ligament itself really, but the muscles that surround. The theory is that you stretch the calf muscle, which loosens the achilles, and in turn loosens the planar. Ligaments and tendons are not so stretchable, whereas muscle is.

My opinion: Anti-inflammatory and rest. Get good shoes! I like the Adidas Equipment, price not withstanding. The angle helps to give something solid to push on.

Good luck, and hope this helps a little.
-Dan

Originally posted by Rolls
So, how do you stretch your Planter ligament?

Rolls.

[achilleus]

I heard this a while back, but thought little of it, but someone mentioned it tonight...

The assymetrics have an angle on the trailing foot. This angle has caused ankle issues with some fencers, specifically the achilles tendon. Don't know how prevalent it is, or what percentage of the users feel the pain.