Disclaimer:
I was provided with a complimentary pair of shoes from Rophoo in return for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation for this review, nor am I endorsed by Rophoo in any capacity. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by Rophoo and/or its affiliates in any way.
Fencing-specific shoes can get expensive, sometimes costing upwards of $200 when you factor in taxes, shipping and handling costs.
And the truth is, outside of Azza’s, I’ve found very few pairs of Fencing shoes that provide the ankle and heel support, comfort on the piste, and durability needed to warrant such a cost.
Picture if you will for a moment, a price versus quality graph. Of the shoes I’ve reviewed so far, the Azza’s (10/10 rating) would fall in the high price/high quality premium bucket.
The absolute foot turds that are the Nike Ballestra SE2’s would fall under the high price/low quality tier.
And the Rophoo’s, at $99 represent that point where average price meets average quality. We’ll get to this at the end, but I rate them a 5/10.
The Rophoo Fencing Shoes, while not entirely disappointing, fail to leave a lasting impression in the increasingly competitive world of fencing footwear. Designed to meet the basic requirements of a fencing shoe, they offer a sufficient yet uninspired experience that falls short of the expectations set by other brands on the market. They’re a good choice for the growing teenage fencer who’s going to be needing new shoes every few months. They don’t meet the quality needed by an elite/high-performance fencer, but they present an affordable option that simply meets expectations and not an ounce more.
Design/Aesthetic
Rophoo’s take the “function over form” approach to shoe design, featuring a simple black and white color scheme, lacking any kind of flair or pizazz that some other fencing shoe brands feature. Bearing a striking resemblance to the now defunct Adidas D’Artagnan IV’s (and I mean, an almost copy/paste like resemblance), the design of the shoes is as bare bones as you can get.
The shoes feature a bright red collar lining, serving as a nice contrast to the black and white parts of the shoe. Even with your foot in the shoe, the red of the collar is just visible enough to give the shoes a tiny spark in the otherwise bland design.
As I’ve opined in the past, having a hard raised plastic or rubber protection layer on the inner heel is an absolute non-negotiable on a fencing shoe. I’ve seen fencers have shoes fall apart in their first practice when wearing shoes that lack this feature. Luckily, the Rophoo’s do have that protection layer, but it’s a thin layer of faux-leather that doesn’t shield the feet from feeling the drag of the piste on a lunge quite like a thick layer of rubber. It checks the box, but it doesn’t do much more.
One area where the shoes do well is in the breathability department. The Rophoos have small perforation vents that extend along the quarter of the shoe (on both sides), allowing for longer fencing sessions without feeling swampy in the feet.
From a tread perspective, they grip well to the piste, though after a few sessions of use, I already began to notice slight wear near the outsole and inner heel. I suspect these aren’t shoes that will be usable beyond the 8-12 month mark.
The only design aspect of these shoes I absolutely hate is the zig zag ridges in the vamp of the shoe. A veteran world champion fencer once told me that he absolutely loved fencing people who wore the Nike Ballestra SE2’s because the ridges allowed him to better catch the point on a toe touch. The Rophoo’s have a similar kind of pattern in the vamp, complete with holes just big enough for the tip to compress on. It looks cool, but so do a lot of venomous snakes.
Function
When it comes to function, I give the Rophoo’s a slight edge over the previously reviewed Ballestra SE2’s when it comes to low-top fencing shoes. The distinguishing factor here is that the shoes include removable insoles, allowing for custom inserts for more comfort for fencers with misshapen feet (like mine). The out of the box insoles are flimsy, but Rophoo provides an alternative insole that gives a little more support, but custom, firmer insoles are highly recommended.
Comfort is a crucial factor in any fencing shoe, while they didn’t induce any pain in my feet like the Ballestra’s, they didn’t provide an ideal amount of foot, ankle, and arch support that I get from court tennis shoes or the Azza’s. The Rophoo’s would be an ideal choice perhaps for a lighter footwork class, but they would be a tertiary choice for a prolonged bouting session or a tournament.
Traction on the strip was very good, and they grip well to the piste. I never felt like I was slipping and sliding on a lunge, and I was able to change directions with ease. They’re extremely light and flexible in the toe box, making them a good choice for the bouncing fencer who stays on the balls of their feet. However, as aforementioned, the quickly degrading tread is an area of concern. I’d be curious to hear from fencers who’ve used these for an extended period if the shoes have had durability issues.
From a functionality standpoint, the Rophoo’s are fit for purpose, but if you’re looking for comfort, you won’t find it in the Rophoo’s, but you won’t feel the pain of the Ballestra’s.
Pricing/Availability
The Rophoo’s are fairly priced at an even $99 (plus shipping & handling). They’re available on Amazon Prime which makes shipping free for members and delivered within two days (typically). From an availability standpoint, that gives them the edge over the Kempa’s, the Azza’s, and the Ballestra’s, none of which appear to be sold on Amazon.
| Shoe | Price |
| Rophoo Fencing Shoes | $99 |
| Azza 15/14 | $167 |
| Nike Ballestra SE2 | $189 |
| Kempa Attack Pro | $199 |
| Adidas D’Artagnan V | $170 |
| Adidas Solecourt Tennis Shoes | $160 |
| Adidas Barricade Court Tennis Shoes | $125 |
Unfortunately, from a sizing perspective, the Rophoo’s cap out at size 11.5 Men’s (US) so Shaq-sized epeeists need not apply.
Overall
The Rophoo Fencing Shoes are exactly what they advertise: a middle-ground option that is the perfect nexus between price and quality. They’re not the flashiest, most comfortable, or most supportive shoes on the market, but they’re competent and relatively affordable. If you’re a beginner or casual fencer looking for a no-frills option (especially for the growing fencer), the Rophoos are worth a try. But if you’re a competitive fencer chasing podium finishes, you might want to invest in a pair that offers a bit more support and comfort.
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