The Best Fencing Shoes of 2026 (Epee, Foil, and Sabre)

Whether you’re new to fencing or have years of experience, finding the right shoe is often a challenge. Some shoes lack proper support or comfort, while others wear out far too quickly.

In this article, we’ll share our research to help you find some of the best fencing shoes trusted by fencers around the world. Our picks range from budget-friendly options to high-performance models and include both non-fencing and specialized shoes. Here are our top choices:

• Best Overall: ASICS Gel-Resolution 8
• Most Durable: ASICS GEL-Rocket 10
• Budget-Friendly: ASICS Men’s UPCOURT 5
• Most Comfortable: ASICS Gel-Rocket 8
• Best Breathability: ROPHOO Fencing Shoes
• Value for Money: Do-Win Fencing Shoes
• Best for Wide Feet: ASICS GEL 3 

What Shoes Are Good For Fencing

Fencing is a fast-paced sport where footwork spans in a wide variety of movements including lunges, advances, bouncing, retreats, direction changes etc.. When executing most of these moves, a lot of force is exerted, placing significant stress on the foot. To reduce this, you need shoes that:

• Offer lateral support, and for that, you need shoes with reinforced sidewalls.
• Absorb landing force, and for that, you need a balance: not so much cushioning that it ruins your stability, but not so little that it hurts your feet.
• Provide a stable base with a good grip to minimize twisting and prevent slipping.

You will find a variety of shoe types used for fencing, including both specialized and non-specialized options. Specialized fencing shoes are usually marketed as the best choice for the sport, but we don’t fully agree with this. Specialized fencing shoes are indeed designed and optimized for the demands of fencing. But again, these shoes don’t work well for every foot. In many cases they suffer from the same issues as regular non-fencing shoes. And on top of that, they are very expensive.

The second option is indoor court shoes, such as those made for basketball, tennis, squash, or badminton. Honestly, some shoes in this category can perform just as well, or even better, than specialized fencing shoes. That said, not every indoor shoe works well for fencing, but a good rule of thumb is to choose models with a relatively low heel.

I also recommend avoiding running shoes, as they are too flexible and do not provide enough support for fencing movements.

A good fencing shoe should offer the right balance of grip, support, and flexibility. To ensure you stay comfortable and not think about them at any moment when you are on the piste. 

How We Chose the Best Fencing Shoes

Wonder how we chose the best fencing shoe recommendations? What you see here is based on what coaches and active fencers actually use, have personally tested, and trust for their own training and competitions.

Club Feedback:
We spoke with active fencers at local clubs. These conversations gave us honest, real-world insight into which shoes truly perform well under actual fencing conditions.

Coach Perspectives:
We also consulted with experienced coaches who see a wide range of footwear every day. Their input helped us understand what works best for beginners versus what more advanced or elite fencers need.

Community Reviews:
We reviewed discussions from fencing forums and user feedback to get a broader perspective. We paid close attention to both the strengths of each shoe and the most common complaints to avoid recommending models that only look good on paper.

Finally, we filtered everything through five main priorities: grip, support, comfort, durability, and price. Our goal was to find a strong overall balance. While no single shoe is perfect for everyone, these are the options that have consistently proven their worth on the strip.

Best Fencing Shoes: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: ASICS Gel-Resolution 8

Pros

• Natural feel
• Doesn’t take long to break in
• Perfect balance between flexibility and stiffness
• Come in wide sizes

Cons

• Pricey
• Heavier

The ASICS Gel-Resolution 8 proves to be the best overall fencing shoe thanks to its superior blend of stability, support, and durability, making it a top choice for fencers at any level. The shoe features a soft FlyteFoam midsole(softer than other Asics in this list) that provides a cushioned, responsive feel and is ideal for absorbing shock on hard landings.

It strikes the best balance between flexibility and stiffness. They allow the foot to feel super natural while providing enough stiffness for quick and direct advances or retreats. Thanks to the side support in the uppers, lateral movements feel secure, effectively withstanding the force of side-to-side motions. Compared to the other models they are a bit heavier, so may not be the best fencing shoe if you are just starting out.

If so, a lightweight shoe will be a better fit for easy-natural movements as you work and progress with your footwork. Available in wide widths, the Gel-Resolution 8 accommodates a variety of foot shapes, further solidifying its position as a top all-around performer. Overall, they are durable and offer a high performance during long training sessions.

Most Durable: ASICS GEL-Rocket 10

Pros

• Good traction
• Comfortable
• Good heel support
• Good looking shoe
• Come in wide sizes

Cons

• May have too much arch

If you’ve ever been to a fencing bout, sure you’ve seen someone in a pair of Asics Gel Rockets. They’re like the unofficial fencing shoe, even though they’re not made specially for that! One of the most popular is Asics gel rocket 10. Asics gel rocket 10 is an affordable shoe that is also highly durable for the price. It feature a nice balance in flexibility, where it allows for natural foot movement while maintaining stability.

The shoes utilize Trusstic System technology, which effectively reduces the weight of the sole unit while maintaining structural integrity. However, they are not the lightest feeling shoes but I wouldn’t say heavy. Another thing you should be aware of is that if you have wide feet these might not be the best pick. It may need some time to use till they break.

Budget-Friendly: ASICS UPCOURT 5

Pros

• Comfortable
• Good grip
• Affordable

Cons

• Short break-in period needed
• May be a bit narrow for those with wide feet

When I say that some indoor court shoes can outperform specialized fencing shoes I mean Asics Upcourt 5. The difference is that these are at a much more reasonable price. Asics Upcourt 5 is everything you need in a fencing shoe. They look great, fit like a glove, comfortable and offer the right amount of grip (on Teraflex and wood floors).

Compared to Asis gel rocket 10 they feature a thinner design and this is transmitted on foot. Some medium-wide toe users find these not comfortable and this is due to their narrow toe box. However for narrow and I would say to narrow medium they offer a high performance. Comfortable, medium cushioning and snug fit which is good for direct fast advances and retreats. Also light, not a heavy shoe.

Most Comfortable: ASICS Gel-Rocket 8

Pros

• Excellent shock absorption
• Excellent traction
• Lightweight design
• Great for those with wide feet

Cons

• Laces may be a bit long
• May be too wide for narrow feet

For the most comfortable feel on the fencing strip, we recommend Gel-Rocket 8. One of the standout features of the Gel-Rocket 8 is its GEL cushioning system. This technology is strategically placed in both the forefoot and rearfoot areas, providing excellent shock absorption during high-impact landings.

Whether you’re jumping, advancing, or making quick lateral movements, the GEL cushioning helps reduce stress on your joints, allowing for a more comfortable experience throughout movements. Even though this is an earlier model compared to resolution 8 or rocket 10 for many users this is still the most comfortable. 

In addition to its cushioning, it features a lightweight design, enabling quick movements without the feeling of being weighed down. The shoe also features a breathable mesh upper, which promotes ventilation and helps keep feet from sweating. Overall, the ASICS Gel-Rocket 8 combines these key elements, cushioning, lightweight design, breathability, and support.

Best Breathability: ROPHOO Fencing Shoes

Pros

• Extra padding in the front part
• Good traction
• Easy to find
• Good value for money
• Lightweight

Cons

• May feel a bit stiff initially
• May not be the most comfortable
• Tread may wear quickly

Rophoo fencing shoes are unisex shoes designed specially for fencing and I found many users that trust them.  They feature a very nice looking appearance with the outside part black and white, while the collar is in red which gives a nice contrast. The upper material is made from high-tech KPU(material renowned for its durability, flexibility, and resistance to harsh environments), which ensures breathability and helps feet stay cool and dry during intense sessions, and for this part, they excel.

The outer sole is made of rubber and initially offers good traction, but it may wear out more quickly with regular use, leading to a loss of grip. They also may feel a bit stiff in the beginning however after a short break-in period they become more comfortable. Based on a review made by Coach Lehfeldt, check its review here, they are a good fit if you are a beginner, but for high-level competition, they are not suggested. Overall, considering quality for the price they make a very good option. 

Value for money: Do-Win Fencing Shoes

Pros

• Comfortable
• Dynamic look
• Good traction
• Lightweight
• Perfect for faster footwork

Cons

• May not be good for some foot types
• Toe cap may wear
• Not the best stability

The market features different specialized fencing shoes with various designs and colors each with their own pros and cons. Do-Win is a unisex model produced by Fefosaep and to be honest they look like the image of a true fencing shoe. On the other hand, they look like they will break apart after three sessions. I found many users who value these shoes for their durability.

However, if you are a kind of fencer that rolls your back foot, when you drag it may lead to issues with the toe cap. The toe area features a design similar to foxing tape which is covered by a thin material without extra padding that is attached with the sole. When dragging, that part may start to come out. They have a rounded heel which actually provides good ankle support. I also would like, if they had more roll on the sides, which in my opinion can give better stability, some users say. 

Best for Wide Feet: ASICS GEL 3 

Pros

• Good quality
• Light
• Flexible
• Good traction
• Comfortable

Cons

• Pricey
• May feel loose and unstable for narrow feet due to the wider toe box
• You might need to break them down

The Asics Gel 3 offers a wider toe box compared to the Upcourt 5 and Gel 10, which may feel a bit loose or unstable for those with narrow feet. If you have wide feet, this is a great option for you. They feature a low profile(feel low to the ground) and are probably like the most ASICS good grip shoe. Despite being lightweight, the Gel 3 has good cushioning that absorbs the force of lunges very effectively. 

Highly Suggested for Competition

If you are advancing or competing on big stages we suggest four brands with more specific models.

Azza 15/14 Fencing Shoes

PBT Fencera

Nike Ballestra 2

Kempa Attack Pro

How to Choose Fencing Shoes

To get the best experience on the strip, your fencing shoes should match your weapon (sabre, foil, or epee), the type of piste you usually fence on, your fencing style, and the shape of your feet.

Selection by Discipline (Weapon)

While most fencing shoes can work for all three disciplines, each weapon puts different demands on movement and performance.

Sabre

This is the most explosive discipline. Sabreurs rely on very fast, short bursts of movement rather than long runs. For this reason, they tend to prefer lightweight shoes with strong traction.

Epee

Epee bouts are usually longer and more tactical. Many fencers spend a lot of time on their toes and lunge with significant force. Because of this, epeeists often prioritize stability, good heel support, and cushioning.

Foil

Foil sits between sabre and epee. Foilists need shoes that are light enough for quick adjustments and changes of distance, but also sturdy enough to handle frequent lunges and repeated impact on the front foot.

The Strip Surface (The Piste)

Most pistes are either wood, rubber gym floors, or metal, and each has slightly different requirements for traction and durability.

Metal Strips: Found in most competitions. These are conductive and very hard. They are unforgiving on the joints. If you fence mostly on metal, you need maximum heel shock absorption.

Wood or Rubber Gym Floors: Common in practice clubs. These have more “give” but can be slippery if dusty. You need gum rubber outsoles for better grip on these surfaces.

Shoe Flexibility and Support

Flexibility and support work together in a fencing shoe, and finding the right balance is important. You want a sole that is firm enough to give you stability when you push off, lunge, or recover, but not so stiff that it restricts your movement.

Simple tests you can do to check if the shoe is right:

• Try to bend the shoe. It should flex at the toes, not in the middle.
• Twist the shoe. You should feel moderate resistance, not a shoe that folds easily.
• Stand on one foot and perform a lunge. If the shoe feels unstable, it is likely too soft.

Your Foot Type (Wide or Narrow)

Some people have wider feet, others have narrower ones, and many fall somewhere in between. You might have a wider forefoot but a tighter heel, or plenty of room in the toes but a snug midfoot. Whatever your case is, your fencing shoes should match your natural foot shape instead of fighting against it. Even a highly rated or popular shoe won’t feel right if it doesn’t suit the way your feet are built.

The “Lead Foot” vs “Trail Foot” Logic

Your front and back foot play very different roles, so they place different demands on your shoes.

Lead Foot (Front)

This is the foot that absorbs most of the impact when you lunge. Because of that, you benefit from a well-shaped, slightly curved heel that allows you to roll smoothly into the movement. Good cushioning in this area is also important to reduce pressure and protect your heel from repeated stress.

Trail Foot (Back)

Your back foot does more sliding and dragging across the strip, especially during deep lunges. For this reason, you should look for extra reinforcement along the inner side of the shoe. Without this added protection, regular sneakers tend to wear down quickly and can develop holes in a short amount of time.

Last Words

No matter if you fence with epee, foil, or sabre, the shoes you wear can really affect how you perform. Choose a pair that gives you solid support, good cushioning, and strong traction. You don’t need to buy specialized fencing shoes right away. Many regular athletic shoes offer the same features you need for fencing, often at a lower price and with performance that can even match or beat the specialized ones.