Footwear?

[Stacy Clifford]

I have a pair of lightweight, thin-soled sport fencing shoes that I wear sometimes, but I don't find they make any particular difference for me. My feet are plenty quick and obedient enough in the cross trainers I wear every day, so I mostly stick with them. Even the high leather boots I have for historical dress only really present a problem on slick surfaces, as I don't recall ever noticing any encumbrance while fighting in them. I think the real key is just to build strong muscular control in your legs and feet, which comes only with moving around on your feet vigorously and often, and you should be able to move well in any type of footwear that you are comfortable in. Strong lifting muscles aren't enough, it's all the subtle little muscles that let you change direction and hop two feet with a twitch that make the difference I believe.

[TimSheetz]

I usually wear wrestling shoes with very minimal tread on them. I also use leather turn shoes and at one point wore some light slipper-like dance shoes (which I think are the best way to get historical style traction without paying for a turn shoe). I have worn light weigh basketball shoes, and aerobic styles shoes as well as combat boots. If your foot work is good, none of these will make much difference... if you footwork is based on a traction "franchise" then changing your footgear will mess you up... better try it all and find out how your footwork is doing!

Peace,

Tim

[Will Adamson]

Any opinions on TKD shoes or those moccasin type boots from some of the cheaper garb retailers?

Personally I hate most TKD shoes and am one of the few senior students at the school we're leaving who doesn't wear them.

[Thomas Jancarik]

Im surprised that I am the only one fighting barefoot...ah well.

[Mike Chidester]

Im surprised that I am the only one fighting barefoot...ah well.

What, don't you guys stomp feet when closing? I do it without even thinking about it these days.

[Thomas Jancarik]

I usually try to get my feet out of the way fast enough. But ya sometimes I get hurt but I've been walking barefoot pretty much always for 4 years now; my feet are therefore resistant. But I admit, if the going gets to tough I do have a pair of shoes ready

[Gene Tausk]

Any opinions on TKD shoes or those moccasin type boots from some of the cheaper garb retailers?

Personally I hate most TKD shoes and am one of the few senior students at the school we're leaving who doesn't wear them.

I hate those things as well. Shabbily made and fall apart very easily.

Wrestling shoes are the way to go. You can get them at practically any shoe store. A good pair, even with heavy use, will last you a year and are a good investment.


---------------->>>>>>>>>>>>>gene tausk
SFS
Study Group Leader - Houston ARMA Southside

[Randall Pleasant]

What, don't you guys stomp feet when closing?

Mike

May we assume that you are actually talking about stepping on someone's feet during sparring? While I do step on peoples feet when possible during sparring I would not dare stomp on their feet as it might elevate the encounter from friendly sparring to something else.

[Mike Chidester]

Well, "stomp" is perhaps too aggressive a word, but stepping on feet certainly occurs, in any sort of free-form activity (free counters, touch drills, free-play, etc.). And I certainly don't like getting my bare feet stepped on, even if it's not a true stomp.

[Ken Dietiker]

Well, I can feel that about the "stomp" issue. I busted my left foot pretty good about ten years ago. It doesn't take much to give me pause if someone steps on it, and then the fight would be lost. To protect it and include some comfort has been a serious search of mine over the years. I can't wear lightweight shoes anymore as they don't provide enough support, even if they are easier to do foot work in, and I need some sort of padding on the tongue. The fear of even an accidental tapping with a waster is enough to worry me. Just the exercise alone is enough to make me feel the ache for the next couple of days due to the twisting and force I apply on it.

So, to give me the best support and the best possible defense while still giving me some comfort and mobility, I now wear, during practice, High-top Magnums (or Hightec). They're like soft soled combat boots, if you're not familiar with them. And they also come in steel toe, but made so you'd never know it. A little hot in the summer, but good grip in any terrain and I can still move pretty fast. Much better than the old regular combat boots. Oh, and if I were to kick or stomp someone, they'd know it! I find them to be an excellent compromise.

On the other hand, they look kind of funny with the pants rolled up and long red socks sticking out the tops, so I don't dress like that.

Cheers!
Ken

[Nathan Dexter]

Yeah, I think that barefoot would be great because it is very quick and light, but you would have to coditionyour feet to that though.

I'm more partial to the historical footwear, because isnt that what its all about?

[Eric Dohner]

Nathan,

My home is on a farm. I used to go barefoot almost 24/7, and we have a driveway that was dirt-and-rocks. I never even noticed them, most of the time.

Now, after a year of college, I can't do it at all. So once you've got your feet in good fighting shape, you have to keep them that way.

[Shane Smith]

Nathan,

My home is on a farm. I used to go barefoot almost 24/7, and we have a driveway that was dirt-and-rocks. I never even noticed them, most of the time.

Now, after a year of college, I can't do it at all. So once you've got your feet in good fighting shape, you have to keep them that way.

I likewise grew up running barefoot through the countryside and swamps of NC.

[david welch]

It's not just the bottom you have to worry about. I have had toenails kicked off a few times fighting wearing sandels and barefoot. If they do a "scoot step" when they step on your feet they can tear them right off.

[Ken Dietiker]

I'm more partial to the historical footwear, because isnt that what its all about?

Hmm, if full armor includes steel toes, then you may be right. I'm going to have to save up for a suit of armor someday and make sure I have a good pair of steel sabaton (but without the long poulaines).

Does anyone know what kind of historical foot wear was generally worn underneath sabaton's? I'm guessing turnshoes, but I'm not certain. A leather shoe of some sort at the very least. Of course, I'm going to have to fudge it a little...

A related question. What did the foot-soldier wear, those with armor, to protect the tops of their feet?

Thanks in advance.
Ken