What shoes and pants should I wear to a fencing class?

: What kind of shoes and pants should you wear to a fencing class?
I’m a girl, and we are supposed to wear athletic pants. But I’m not very athletic at ALL, so do you think I could wear leggings? What exactly ARE athletic pants?

And as far as shoes go, we’re supposed to wear athletic shoes as well. The only tennis shoes I have are flat-bottomed Vans classics. Would those be acceptable, or do I really need to invest in a different pair of tennis shoes?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Skinny West

Answer by Jordyn Wade
For pants, I would suggest sweatpants, but not the fuzzy warm kind. Trust me, you will be sweating. If you don’t want those pick up a pair of yoga pants. I wouldn’t suggest anything to wide legged but they can be loose. If you are talking about fashion leggings, like the kind you wear under a dress, I wouldn’t suggest it. You something called lunging which you will need very stretchy and highly unlikely to rip.

For shoes, flat-bottomed shoes are perfect. However, if you wear the Van’s a lot, street shoes may ruin the strips so you might not be allowed to have them in your club. I would suggest investing in a cheap pair of flat-bottomed shoes to be safe. Only wear them indoors when you are fencing so you don’t bring in rocks or other undesirable things. Another reason you want new shoes is for the grip. When you lunge it is possible you will slip and fall. This can be prevented by buying shoes that have a good grip on the strip.

Answer by Ymarsakar
Athletic means that they are durable and won’t tear if you kick something. Pants must be able to stretch and have that third stitching at the groin for 180 splits/kicks. They must be relatively close fitting. No hanging, too long, baggy pants.

If you walk around and your pant legs are stuck under your heel, then it’s not athletic. Until you fold it up, at least.

For shoes, you need something that won’t skid. Meaning, it has some kind of friction surface, and is flat. Sneakers have height supports for walking/running: not recommended.

Answer by Stargazer
leggings are fine, you just want a layer over your skin. some people at my club even wear shorts, just realize you are going to get hit. Althletic pants are like sweatpants or “swooshy” pants. something not jeans or dress pants.

Vans are not acceptable… you need something with a bit more support, your heel is going to be hitting the ground pretty hard. I would invest in a pair of tennis shoes, you don’t need to buy fencing shoes or knickers (the fencing pants)