Onitsuka Tiger "Fencing LA" Classic Fencing Shoe GLOBAL

Pros: Lightweight. Stylish. Follows traditional fencing shoe stylings. They breathe well and are not hot. They offer decent traction.

Cons: Heel padding seems insufficient for front foot. My pair allows some lateral movement in the back foot, so I think they allow blisters a_little_bit_more than they could on the rear foot. 

My first ever pair of non court shoes, bought from eBay for $20. Plus $15 shipping. Plus another $15 at the border. Oh well.



Contrary to another review, these were a good fit. Size 13 US / 14 UK, certainly not too large. Narrow too, which suits me.



They're very, very light, so I don't know how well they'll last. I added good quality insoles which will help, and will also prevent lateral slippage - being so light, there's not much resistance to a sliding back foot.



Traction is much improved over what I was used to on gym floors; no more uncertainty whether or not half a lunge will be wasted to slippage.



Only real downside is, it's one less thing to blame when I lose...

First off, this is the best looking fencing shoe ever (in the right colours off course), especially after uma thurman donned these shoes in kill bill.



i personally love tight-fitting shoes with as less sole as possible, since it really gives a balanced feel, as opposed to the running shoes most people fence on these days. IMO, a big heel just makes your balance and speed go slow and a bit of target. Since i\'m not very heavy or very draggy with my feet these shoes last for ages for me.

The shoe looks better than it performs. It is meant for thin feet, and it has little to no padding inside. Although the shoe is ultra light-weight, it leaves much to be desired. The sole is grippy and great on metal strips, but just like any other shoe, it doesn\'t quite work on a regularly used wooden floor. There is also a lack of stiffness in the sole, and particularly the ankle area, that is found in other shoes which greatly aids in lunges, retreats, etc... Overall, an ok shoe is you are a casual fencer. If you are fence often, and compete, you may want to throw an extra $30-40 on something better and more durable.

There is one critical issue with this shoe. It is a whole size larger than marked (compared to Adidas and Nike shoes, that is.) But get a pair that truly fits, and you\'ve got a great shoe. I was at first a bit suspicious of the yellow / black colors (the Tai Chi version of this shoe Uma\'s footware of choice in Kill Bill), but there are many other colors available , such as beige/bronze, silver/blue, black/red, green/yellow... The white/beige/bronze is a classy scheme makes for the best looking shoe I\'ve ever owned IMO.



The shoe is lightweight and the tread is designed with the rear heel angle in mind. The leather is tough (more durable than an Adidas for sure) and they grip well. They also cost me only about $75.00. They are comfortable as well.

I picked up a pair of these for $60, and I absolutely love them. They're stylish to boot, and they're great conversation starters :)

This is not bad. Technically, this is a casual shoe and not a fencing shoe but it has "Fencing" in the name and it has the wrap-around-the-heel sole like other fencing shoes. It has a little extra rubber on the inside side of the shoes, presumably to add some extra grip for those lungers who turn their foot over.



Good stuff: Neatly constructed. Decent materials. Light-weight. Comfortable and fits well for it's stated size.



Bad stuff: Some parts like the heel flap and uppers arent' heavily reinforced which lends some doubts about long-term durability and some concerns for those who require additional heel and foot support.

I bought these shoes on a whim at Urban Outfitters because they are garish and eye catching.



I have found them to be comfortable and light and have worn well so far with about 4 months of fencing resulting in little wear. They grip well on a variety of surfaces which in travelling to various local tournaments you are presented with a wide variety.



I always get positive comments about their eye-catching color (Green with Yellow).