sneakers?

[rm]

Talk to me about your favourite sneakers. Not from a fashion perspective; I've got that down (and I blame my time in Australia entirely). I need a new pair for this fencing business and I'm at a loss in terms of finding something that has some degree of flexibility but are sturdier than dance or yoga sneaks (and also aren't a hideous shade of green like these cute little Pumas I saw at DSW the other day).

Thnx.

Comments

[xpioti.livejournal.com]

I fenced while in college, so got a pair of actual fencing sneakers. (Zin-Kin; they're relatively inexpensive at Triplette Competition Arms, http://www.triplette.com/, and I highly commend TCA's customer service.) The big difference between them and normal sneakers is they have the thicker bottoms of athletic sneakers, but don't have ridges where the sole sticks out to the side of the upper; when you lunge, you roll your back foot (typically your left foot) up on the side, so wearing regular sneakers both hurts your ankle and destroys the sneaker. The more common athletic shoes that were recommended were wrestling shoes; they offer ankle support, traction, and allow you to roll your foot.

I'm assuming you mean "fencing with weapons", not "building white picket fences", of course. In which case, I have one big piece of advice: ALWAYS keep your front knee directly over your ankle; I fenced with my knee offset for about a year, and it took about 5 years for my knee to recover. Fortunately, I was flexible enough that when my front leg gave out while fencing, falling into a split didn't injure me. (The reaction of my male opponents, however, was absolutely priceless.)

Hm. Must dig out and de-rust my blades. I have a really sweet, yet inexpensive, sabre somewhere...

[rm.livejournal.com]

This is awesome info, thanks. I am very careful about my knees as most of my friends from dance have had repeated knee surgery by now. I've been lucky and would like to keep it that way.

And weapons yes. Not sport fencing either. Because I am a BIG NERD and NYC has EVERYTHING, I'm doing classical fencing: http://www.martinez-destreza.com/

[xpioti.livejournal.com]

OMGthat'ssocoolI'msojealousarghmaybe there's an academy like that around here but arrrrgh need time. That is Way Cool; I had no idea there were actual academies of that nature around, much less on the East Coast. Although, considering the insurance a place like that would be required to carry, I'm not really surprised that there aren't more. :)

Have a blast with it! I expect to see many fencing posts so I can vicariously enjoy your classical education. :D

[rm.livejournal.com]

This is my latest "a book made me do it!" adventure. Luckily, these things tend to work out well for me. Crazy, right?