If you are looking to purchase new fencing shoes there are a couple things to consider. First, you need to look at the best quality for what you can spend. Second, you need to look for the shoe that best meets your needs. Because all feet are not the same, a shoe that another fencer loves might not feel good on your feet. Make sure they are comfortable and durable.
There are certain specifications for the shoes that are worn for fencing. They should be light weight, with flat rubber soles for good balance and traction. Many of these shoes are found to have suede or other soft fabrics on the inside so that good traction between the feet and the inner parts of the shoes are good. Also, the purpose of the suede or other materials is to keep the wear on the inside of the shoes to a minimum since the lunging that occurs while fencing might damage the shoes very quickly.
Deciding if you want to purchase a high or low top style of fencing shoes is entirely a personal preference issue for most. High top shoes provide fencers with excellent ankle support while low top shoes offer much more freedom.
Most experts agree that the fencing shoes you buy should be lightweight to give the fencer more freedom when moving about the floor. However, it seems that some fencers believe that it builds muscle tone to wear a slightly heavier shoe. Some even train in heavier shoes and switch to lightweight shoes for matches.
Some store sell inexpensive shoes for fencing that can be found in the $60-$80 price range. However, for the most supportive and longest wearing shoes, one can find them as high as $200 at a fencing supply stores. While some sporting goods stores do carry fencing supplies, a wide selection can be found online.
Most of the times, fencers are found opting for boxing shoes instead of fencing shoes. They make only small adjustments in order to provide the same qualities of fencing shoes. Boxing shoes are comparatively lighter and less expensive than fencing shoes. A gel is applied on the insole with an aim to reduce impacts of feet and joints. This also helps heal cups and shin splints if developed.
