Adidas Adistar Hightops.

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.