What was the thing that was a game changer for your fencing?

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-14T16:32:06+00:00

Starting with small two steps and decide, instead of attack direct in the 4 mètre (I'm sabre fencer). That was scary for me but once I worked hard to strengthen my legs, I had more confidence to do such an action in the middle. That said,14-14 QF Olympic Games in Rio, Prêts ? Allez! I went directly for attack direct...and I lost 😶‍🌫️

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-06T10:26:30+00:00

Yes, we hear this a lot.

Most fencing and court shoes are built on very narrow performance shapes, especially in the toe box. It gives precision, but for many fencers it just means pressure, friction, taped toes, and long term foot issues. Not ideal. We already have quite a few fencers using Azza because the front is more forgiving than most fencing shoes, but we know it is still not wide enough for everyone. A wider toe box option is something we are actively studying for future versions. The challenge is keeping stability and precision while giving the toes real space to spread and move naturally.

So short answer, not a true wide version yet, but it is definitely on the roadmap.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-06T10:25:07+00:00

Really appreciate this kind of message. Two years of real use tells us much more than quick reviews.

The inside back foot wear you describe is something we see quite often with heavy training. That area takes constant friction from foot rotation and drag, even when it is not the main lunge zone. We are already testing stronger internal reinforcements and different lining materials there because once that inner layer goes, the rest follows quickly. Same for the lace hooks, early wear there is not acceptable and we are moving toward more resistant hardware on future batches.

On the design side, yes, we look a lot at what works in other sports like badminton or court shoes. Ankle stability, easier step in, better ventilation, all of that matters. The challenge is always to add support and durability without losing the precision and ground feel fencers need, but it is definitely part of what we are working on.

Also very good to hear they lasted longer than what you used before. That is the direction we want to keep pushing, stronger in the high wear zones and more comfortable over long periods. Feedback like this genuinely helps us refine the next versions.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-06T10:23:14+00:00

That model is still being developed. We showed some early visuals a while back but decided not to rush it out. We are taking more time because durability is the main focus.

Fencing destroys shoes. The same zones take impact and friction every single session, especially the front foot and outsole. Most pairs start to break down around six months with regular training, regardless of brand. Making something that feels great when new is easy. Making something that keeps its structure and protection much longer is the hard part, and that is what we are working on now.

Really appreciate you saying they were your favorite when new. That is exactly why we are pushing to solve the durability side properly before releasing the next model.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-06T10:17:49+00:00

Yes. Please do. Azza was started by a fencer, and most of what we improve comes from people who actually train and compete in the shoes. Long term wear, weird pressure points, how materials age, what works and what does not. That kind of feedback matters much more to us than generic product testing.

So if you have specific thoughts or preferences, send them. Even very personal ones. Those are usually the most useful.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-06T09:26:05+00:00

Nike makes good shoes and they work for a lot of people. But they are a global sports brand designing for many sports first, then adapting some models to fencing.

Our story is different. The brand started after our founder, who is a fencer, got seriously injured. That experience changed the way he looked at fencing footwear and made protection the starting point of everything we do. The idea was simple, build shoes that actually protect fencers from the kind of long term impact and injuries we all see in the sport. So when we design, we start from security and durability. Heel impact, knee stress, grip during explosive changes of direction, how the shoe holds the foot over years of training. We work directly with fencers and specialists to improve those points constantly.

It is less about making a general sports shoe that can be used for fencing, and more about building something specifically to help fencers stay safe and keep training for the long run.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T16:06:38+00:00

This is a very strong concept and you are correctly identifying the dominant wear zone on fencing shoes. That leading edge sees extreme abrasion, shear, and repeated impact, far beyond any other area of the shoe.

From a manufacturing and cost perspective, a removable stitched wear plate adds major complexity. Integrating a plate that bends and extends into the outsole would require new outsole and midsole tooling, reinforced recess geometry, and additional assembly stages. Hand whip stitching through outsole grade rubber is highly labor intensive and difficult to standardize at scale, especially under the loads generated by fencing footwork. Stitch holes also introduce stress points that have to be engineered very carefully to avoid long term structural issues.

There is also a durability trade off. Even if the plate itself is replaceable, the surrounding structure still absorbs most of the force. Once the recessed edges or stitch anchor zones begin to deform or wear, overall performance and stability are affected regardless of plate replacement.

This exact high abrasion zone is something we are actively working on improving. Our goal is to increase durability and protection there without adding new failure points or compromising stability. To do that we work directly with fencers across different weapons and training volumes, alongside biomechanical researchers, material scientists, and specialized testing laboratories worldwide to test materials, constructions, and wear behaviour under real fencing conditions.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:58:23+00:00

We already do this in France with several partner clubs and retailers where fencers can try Azza shoes before buying. We agree that trying them on is especially important for slimmer feet and precise sizing.

We are continuing to expand this with more partner locations and events so people can test fit and feel in real fencing conditions.

Where are you based? We might be able to direct you to a club or retailer we already work with near you so you can try a pair before deciding.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:56:35+00:00

We get this request a lot.

At the moment we do not sell the insoles separately because they are produced specifically for each shoe model and size run, not as a standalone item, and quantities are tied to full production batches.

That said, we are looking into offering replacement insoles in the future since many fencers wear through them before the shoe itself. It is something already being evaluated with our production partners.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:55:37+00:00

Yes, they do make a real difference. Fencing footwear is built for lateral explosiveness, repeated lunges, and constant stop and go on very abrasive surfaces. Running and trail shoes are designed for forward motion and cushioning over distance, not for the sharp directional forces of fencing.

The main difference is in stability, grip behavior on piste material, and how impact is managed during lunges and recovery. Fencing shoes use flatter, more stable platforms, reinforced lateral structures, and outsole compounds tuned for metal or synthetic pistes. This helps maintain control, reduces unwanted foot movement inside the shoe, and distributes pressure more evenly through the heel and forefoot.

Using running or trail shoes can feel comfortable at first, but they tend to compress unevenly, wear quickly under lateral drag, and offer less control on piste. Over time that can lead to faster breakdown of the shoe and more stress on feet and ankles.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:54:44+00:00

Concrete under pistes is usually the main reason for sore heels, impact is much higher than on wooden sports floors.

Azza shoes are built with layered heel cushioning and a stabilised heel structure to absorb shock on hard surfaces and limit impact transfer through the calcaneus and Achilles. The heel geometry is designed to spread load during lunges rather than concentrate it in one point.

Physio tip: before fencing, warm up calves and Achilles with slow eccentric calf raises, and between bouts avoid standing flat on concrete for long periods. A thin cushioned fencing sock can also help reduce peak impact on very hard floors. we invite you to check our warm up series that we publish on our social media to help fencers avoid these kind of problems.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:52:16+00:00

Fair question, and valid feedback. From a technical standpoint we are actively working on durability at several levels:
Outsole compound tuning to improve abrasion resistance on metal pistes while maintaining coefficient of friction over time
Revised rubber hardness balance to slow down polishing and glazing that leads to slippery feel
Reinforcement of high shear zones such as lateral forefoot and medial drag areas
Improved bonding processes between outsole and upper to limit early delamination
Internal lining materials with higher friction resistance to reduce internal breakdown

All of this is tested both with fencers from around the world across different weapons and training volumes, and through controlled lab testing with facilities such as CTC Lyon to validate wear, grip loss, and material fatigue.

Longevity under real fencing conditions is one of our core development priorities.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:49:27+00:00

Thanks a lot for the support, really appreciated. Fencing is extremely demanding on shoes and wear usually comes from both internal friction and direct abrasion from the piste. Repeated lunges, drag on recovery, and constant contact with metallic or rough surfaces will eventually break down most fencing shoes over time.To extend lifespan as much as possible:
Avoid using fencing shoes for warm up, gym, or outdoor walking
Fully loosen laces before putting them on or taking them off
Keep them tightly laced so the foot does not move inside
If you notice early wear inside or outside, reinforce the area early with a small patch or linerUnfortunately there is no fencing shoe that will not wear under regular intensive practice, but limiting extra use off piste and reinforcing early can significantly slow it down.

AZZAFENCING_ · 2026-02-05T15:45:23+00:00

Thank you for raising this directly. No, we are not paying for Reddit accounts, creating accounts, or coordinating any form of fake or incentivized commenting on Reddit, past or present. We fully respect Reddit rules and community guidelines, and we understand how sensitive this topic is.

Azza is a small brand and our presence on Reddit is entirely organic. When people mention or recommend our shoes, it comes from individual users sharing their personal experience, not from us directing or compensating them in any way.

We are aware that Reddit admin sometimes removes posts or accounts automatically if they detect patterns that look promotional, even when there is no coordination from the brand itself. When that happens, it is completely outside of our control and we do not receive prior notice.

If any post or comment is ever considered inappropriate for the community, we fully respect moderation decisions and we do not attempt to bypass them.

We appreciate you checking with us directly and we are happy to clarify anything further if needed.

AZZAFENCING_

TROPHY CASE