Posing as Somdomite.

[jacktellslies]

I'm beginning fencing lessons in early January. I was a bit daunted at first by one of the only requirements for attending the classes: I would have to wear sneakers. The horror! I've not worn such things since I was a child. Thankfully, I think I found a reasonable solution. Boxing shoes! For those of you with better eyes than even mine, yes, that is a tiny Union Jack on the tag. Figures.

Comments

[jezebellydancer.livejournal.com]

I haven't worn sneakers in ages (wearing them to fence in just seems wrong). I live in my tacky crocs--but since they keep the knee pain at bay, I'm willing to sacrifice style for comfort.

The_s0n wants to learn to fence, so keep me posted on your lessons.

[earlofgrey.livejournal.com]

But of course!

[experiment666.livejournal.com]

I hope those work for you. When choosing fencing shoes I look for soles that won't peel, there's a lot of what is essentially shuffling and it's easy to wear the soles out. The other important test is whether your ankles can do what this kid's back foot is doing in the shoes. http://www.fencing.franklurz.com/Media/lunge.jpeg If you can't your fencing will suffer.

[brni.livejournal.com]

i'll second the commentary on the shoes. the website that experiment666 linked to below also has fencing appropriate footwear, or you can probably also consider martial-arts type sneakers:

http://www.awma.com/index.cfm/action/displayProducts/level/1|4|4.htm

[experiment666.livejournal.com]

indoor soccer shoes are a cheapish and decent substitute

[brni.livejournal.com]

indoor soccer?

*looks around the living room and imagines all the breakage*

[experiment666.livejournal.com]

:+Þ as in the kind w/o cleats

[experiment666.livejournal.com]

One more thing - the three most personal items in fencing are the ones you'll want to get first. Breast protectors, fencing glove ( I highly recommend a washable glove- the fresh clean scent out of the wash is worth more than the excessively sweaty molded stiff thing that the more classical leather glove will become.), and the mask. You can make do with club glove and mask, but it is in your best interest to choose and buy breast protection once you start fencing other people.

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/index.php/cPath/13_66?osCsid=b1565c20676ecfff633aedd67cc0393f

http://www.blue-gauntlet.com/store/categories/G_PRT/G_PRT_3

http://www.triplette.com/catalog.php?category=15

http://www.physicalchess.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=&txtsearchParamCat=11&txtsearchParamType=ALL&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&iLevel=1

sorry, it's exciting to see people start fencing- I go overboard on the information dump, feel free to ask questions.

[brni.livejournal.com]

so where did you finally decide to go for fencing lessons? unfortunately all the philly fencing schools that my guy knew all closed, and he hadn't been able to find any recommendations.

would you mind horribly if i tagged along to observe a class sometime? i'd be interested in seeing how this differs from the stuff i'm doing.

[earlofgrey.livejournal.com]

http://www.fap-fencing.com/

Please do, sir!

[brni.livejournal.com]

let me know when you'll be taking classes, then... *grin*

[earlofgrey.livejournal.com]

Beginner's lessons begin the first week of January.