The sole is kind of 2 pieces, the center is a black rubber with a sort of waffle-esque pattern while it’s surrounded by same rubber material that they used to make the outsole and abrasion areas. That part is actually a nice touch because you don’t have an edge where the protection layer stops or can get ripped off.
Like with any shoe that has rounded edges you might lose some traction around the edges if you’re on a dirty/slippery floor but they have very good traction overall. Great fit, a little on the narrower/sleeker side and forms to foot pretty well. These shoes are feather light, lighter than any other shoe on the market and the sole is thin so you get a pretty good feel of the floor.
It has Nike Zoom cushioning in the heel area, which is probably worth noting.
The sport of fencing requires athletes to perform a constant series of advance, retreat and lunging moves during the course of a competitive match. Each move creates an impact on the athlete’s body. However, the impact of a lunge on a fencer’s lead foot is one of the most powerful in all of sport, reaching up to seven times the athlete’s body weight. Such force requires footwear that can withstand this type of impact. Nike designers worked closely with world champion fencers to develop the Nike Ballestra. It is not only more comfortable and lighter than anything currently available, but it also meets the demands of the sport.
To soften the notoriously heavy blow of fencing lunges (up to 7 times body weight!), the heel of the Nike Ballestra’s outsole is rounded to absorb impact. Designers also updated the traditional vertical cushioning system of most fencing footwear in the Nike Ballestra by adding an additional 10mm of foam in the back of the heel to accommodate the rolling motion of a fencer’s footwork. Along with a Zoom Air unit, one of Nike’s best cushioning technologies, Poron foam is stacked in the heel to act as a dampening agent that slows down the foot as it moves through heel impact.
Fencers stressed the need for sure footing during competition. The Nike Ballestra is built on a very flat outsole, incorporating a traction pattern that delivers unmatched stability on the metal competition surface during advancing, retreating, and lunging moves. On the medial forefoot of the Nike Ballestra, notched TPU wraps up from the sole to resist abrasion as the back foot is dragged during advances. Breathable mesh on the upper makes the shoe more comfortable for the athlete while reducing the overall weight, making this shoe lighter than others available for sale.
The sport of fencing athletes required to perform an uninterrupted series of advances, setbacks and attacks during the competitions. Each movement has an impact on the athlete’s body . The impact of an attack forward on athlete’s foot is one of the strongest, because it can correspond to up to seven times the body weight of the athlete. When such force is necessary to exercise a shoe that can withstand it. In close cooperation with the world fencing champion , Nike designers developed the Nike Ballestra . According to Nike , “the new Ballestra is not only more comfortable and lighter than any other shoe available today, but of satisfying the requirements of this discipline. ”
Team Colors in the 2008 Models
For the 2008 Olympics, special colorways of the Nike Ballestra were designed for the Chinese, US, and Ukrainian teams for this summer events. Team China will wear a version with a White/Metallic Silver upper that incorporates a Comet Red stripe on the tongue and laces, an extension of the red stripe that runs down the front of the Chinese fencing uniform’s socks. Sockliner graphics specific to the Chinese team are inside the footwear and are designed to inspire athletes every time they lace up.
The exclusive Nike Ballestra for Team USA is a mixture of Obsidian and Photo Blue, Sport Red, and White. When worn during a match, red outsoles create a bright, flashing effect as the athlete elevates the toe of the front foot during a lunge. USA graphics on the sockliners complete the package and personalize the team experience. The Team Ukraine fencing footwear is Royal Blue with white accents and a Yellow Zest Swoosh. These have special sockliners as well, inspired by tribal art.
Look for Italian gold-medalist Margherita Granbassi to be wearing a pink and black version of the Nike Ballestra.
(Here she is in the 2008 Olympic Semi-Finals)
Key Features
-Breathable upper with seamless lining offers secure and comfortable fit with no peeling sockliner
-New flexible, abrasion-resistant materials in high-wear areas of the shoe
-Highly flexible forefoot and rounded heel promote nimble advance and retreat
-Zoom Air unit and Poron foam add cushioning in high impact areas
-Stable base of support in forefoot
-Outsole designed to maximize traction on competition surfaces
-Weight = 275 grams
