Adidas Adistar Hightops.

Don\'t know if I got a mutant pair or what, but the high top is angled so sharply forward that my heel is pushed forward out of the back of the shoe, driving my toes into the front. The sharply angled boot also cuts painfully into the back of my ankle when I try to stand up straight. Walking is impossible, never mind fencing. I thought getting into a low en garde might help, but no - even when I flex my foot to its maximum (and that\'s pretty far - my achilles tendons are pretty loose) the dratted boot is still there gnawing away at my leg. Total waste of money.

I also got these shoes cheap on ebay. The fit is OK.

They just hurt my feet, knees and back. The only way that my feet feel OK after having fencing in them is if I add an insole, heel cups, and wear 3 pairs of socks.



They are low to the ground, light weight, and seem to be durable for fencing. Compared to the previous fencing shoes I've worn (Riposte, Riposte 2, Equipment-green stripe) these shoes are good, but aren't worth the list price, nor the pain they cause my joints.



However, if you must have fencing shoes, and you can find a cheap pair of these on Ebay, go for it.

This review might feel like an echo...



Used to wear Wrestling shoes, found these on Ebya for cheap. And I like em quite a bit. Haven't had them for too long, but they seem to be holding up. And of all the adidas shoes I think these look the best. fashion before function, right?

Up until I had gotten these I had been using wrestling shoes to fence in. I was not convinced that fencing shoes had much more to offer but I found a pair of these new on E-bay for about $30 so I could not resist.



After I got them I found that I needed to get athletic gel insoles to prevent shin splints and sore feet but after that these have been really conformable shoes. The construction is pretty familiar with the main difference being that these shoes have very breathable mesh on the sides and removable ankle supports/braces that can keep you from twisting you ankles if you fall or move badly. The soft rubber soles are nice for wood floors but I think regular use on a metal strip would shred them pretty quick.



The soles are reinforced on the heal and sides and are lightweight and keep your feet close to the ground for good speed and centering. The shoe breathes well and often my socks are the driest part of my kit after a good day of fencing.



There are some down sides though. The first is price. I do not think I would have paid the $165 or so that these would have cost out of most stores. The tongue of the shoes is also very thin and I have had three foot touches in epee actually go though the tops of my shoe, one with enough force to rip my sock and leave a nice little mark. A couple of the lace holes are also starting to go and soon I think I will have to put a metal eyelet in before they rip through completely.



The reinforcement is also pulling away from the sole of the shoes on my lunge foot. I have heard this is the first thing to go with these shoes and it is not uncommon to see fencers with duct tape on the back foot of their Adidas shoes. You would think they could fix that for the money.



All things being equal I have gotten a good amount of use out of these and with a few repairs they should go another season as practice shoes. For what I paid for them I am thrilled but if I had paid retail I think I would have felt a bit jipped.