AHF Rapier and Dagger Nick vs Tom

[@PandemicalShade]

Very nice fencing as usual! Although this might not be the most appropriate of videos to ask the following, but is there any alternative shoewear for a gym? My club is thinking about renting a gym in the near future but so far we've only been fencing "outside" in combat/jump boots for their high level of foot protection (thick leather, steel cap) and ankle stabilisation. Every indoor HEMA video that I've ever seen has the fencers wear standard sports shoes (light and abrasion-free soles, below-ankle height). So do you know anything else one might wear that doesn't damage the gym floor but offers a greater level of foot protection (especially for the ankle)? e.g. would something like this be allowed due to the light soles ? www.bw-online-shop.com/shop/images/artikel/gallery3/haix-black-eagle-athletic-11-high-sidezipper-desert_2.jpg ?

[@98abaile]

You would need to ask the gym you are planning to use, what kind of footwear they allow. That said, you can get so much grip on gym floors that ankle support is not really necessary. Every single person in the club wears trainers of some sort, from free running shoes to skate shoes (although I wouldn't advise wearing skate shoes). Nick, myself and a few other members use the Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81s, which are comfortable, very light and have superb grip.

[@Nikos3000]

As above on my advice. About colour, it isn't colour that is the problem, it is whether the rubber marks the surface. Most decent trainers do not, whereas most boots do. I believe this is to do with the softer rubber used on boots, but I am no expert on that. I don't believe you should want or need extra ankle support for fencing. Most footwear worn during the period of these weapons did not have any, and it will restrict your movement as well. As for wanting extra protection from impacts, we have never used any as strikes that land on the feet are infrequent are not powerful. That being said, sounds to me that if you still want ankle support/protection and impact resistance, you might want to look at something like these. Though I have no idea if they will mark floors or not www.shoe-king.co.uk/lc022-black-hi-top-safety-boot-sb-152-p.aspwww.shoe-king.co.uk/lc022-black-hi-top-safety-boot-sb-152-p.asp

[@BaldPolishBiotechnol]

Interesting, I must say. A lot of cutting as for rapier fencing however.

[@Nikos3000]

A lot compared to a lot of sparring you see today. However if you work with original treatise, such as Capo Ferro (my personal favourite for rapier), you will see how substantial a part cutting plays in the fighting system.