One of the most important tools for a badminton enthusiast is definitely having the best badminton shoes. They surely provide you with the necessary grip and also support for your feet which as you might already know, will have quite a lot to do on a badminton court 😀
Additionally, they can also help prevent injuries and also improve your performance. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming to choose suitable badminton footwear that suit your needs with a lot of options available on the market. In this article we will give you a complete guide (or so we hope) and share with you the key factors to consider when choosing your pair of best buddies.
The Best Badminton Shoes for Men: Our Top 5 Picks
- Yonex Power Cushion Aerus 3: These are great for serious players. They’re very light (185 grams), let your feet breathe, and have a special sole for good grip and comfort when you move around the court.
- Li-Ning Yun Ting Orange: These shoes are super light (160 grams) and are made to be really comfortable. They have a special insole for cushioning and keep your feet feeling good even during fast movements.
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- Victor A970Ace: The A970ACE stands out in the All-Around series, favored by international players for its well-fitting comfort. It features advanced HYPEREVA and E-TPU materials, which significantly enhance lightness and rebound efficiency. The shoe also boasts a protective heel tab and a durable Microfiber PU leather upper, combining comfort with a secure fit.
- ASICS Gel Rocket 9: Good for various indoor sports, these shoes offer good value. They’re lightweight, have good cushioning, and provide reliable grip. The special GEL technology in the sole helps reduce shock and increases comfort.
- Young Nitro X: The Y11 Outsole delivers exceptional durability and performance, with enhanced cushioning and flexibility. Pro X-Bar provides crucial mid-foot support, reducing fatigue for sustained athletic performance. Beyond Insole enhances cushioning and energy efficiency, while AIR Shell technology ensures breathability and a snug fit.
The Best Badminton Shoes for Women: Our Current Top 5 Picks
- Yonex Power Cushion 65 X2L: The Yonex Power Cushion 65X2L optimizes agility and stability for fast-paced players with its lightweight design, shock-absorbing Power Cushion, and multi-directional Hexagrip Sole.
- Victor A900F IA: Light, agile, and incredibly comfortable, the Yonex Power Cushion 65X2L is a game-changer for fast-paced players. Its Power Cushion and Hexagrip Sole offer excellent stability and grip, enhancing on-court performance.
- Asics Gel Upcourt 5: The Asics Gel Upcourt shoes are a top pick for badminton players, offering a perfect blend of gel and EVA cushioning for exceptional comfort during matches. Their standout feature is the gum rubber outsole, which provides superior grip, essential for the quick footwork and dynamic movements unique to badminton. An excellent choice for players at any level.
- Salming Rival 2:
The Rival 2 is a top choice for indoor sports, offering unmatched breathability and protection with its reinforced mesh and KPU rubber toe box. Its Hexagrip sole ensures excellent grip, while the EVA midsole and TGS 62/75 Guide System combine for comfortable, stable, and natural foot movement. Lightweight and durable, it’s a solid pick for serious athletes.”
- Babolat Shadow Spirit: The Babolat Shadow Spirit Court Shoes excel in stability and comfort, featuring a secure lace/midsole design and Michelin’s expertly crafted outsoles for superior grip and durability. The innovative Kompressor System ensures effective shock absorption, while the Midsole Vent and HTS 360 offer excellent foot cooling and all-around stability. Ideal for high-performance play, their Spring VK technology in the forefoot strikes the perfect balance between cushioning and rebound.”
What should you look for to choose the best badminton shoes?
Sole Type
The soles might be the most important factor to consider. First of all look for non marking badminton shoes or you might be in trouble with your hall attendant after leaving some marks on the floor! Most shoes for badminton are loaded with gum souls (pun intended 🙂 ) that can provide you good grip and traction on court to be able to perform at your best when showing off your footwork.
Some newer models have continued to improve this so make sure to check these details with your seller or producer.
Cushioning
If you didn’t already discovered, we are sure you’ll very soon know that Badminton is a sport that is full of jumping and quick movement and change of direction, thus is considered as a high-impact sport. This can be very harsh on your joints, especially of you play on hard courts.
Looking for a good pair of indoor badminton shoes that provide with suitable cushioning that can absorb some of the impact on your feet and knees can help you play for longer and not suffer from pain and injuries as you go along. The amount of cushioning you need also changes with your style and level of play but a good rule of thumb is to choose shoes that are thick and have supportive soles.
Fit and Comfort
We all love to play a good badminton match but we will definitely enjoy it more if we do it with comfort. The level of comfort can tip the balance when it comes to choosing your preferred badminton footwear. In a badminton match, you will spend quite a lot of time standing on your feet and your feet will surely be stressed out, so it is logically essential to make an effort to choose shoes that fit you well and feel good to wear.
Look for a pair of shoes with a snug fit, which means the fingers almost touching the end of the shoes as this will ensure a good support to your feet. But also look for shoes that don’t pinch or rub any areas as these may get uncomfortable by time. It is best to try on several brands and styles to understand which one would be best for you.
Breathability
We all know that badminton is a high-intensity game and a couple of matches will make you sweat heavily, and this will also apply to your feet. This can lead to smelly shoes and feet, a level of discomfort and even fungal infections if your shoes are not breathable.
Keep an eye on shoes that have mesh or perforated uppers that facilitate air circulation around your feet. This can help your feet to remain cool and dry and prevent losing your friends because of the smell when changing back to your outdoor runners.
Weight
With badminton being a sport that requires quick movements and can also lead to fatigue, having lightweight and flexible shoes can help you perform at your best. From the time where badminton originated till today, technology in shoes improved immensely. Shoes with lightweight materials can keep you going for longer so avoid shoes with heavy and bulky soles as these can slow you down and get you tired sooner.
Support
Lateral movements and sudden stops and change of directions are the order of the day for badminton players. This can put a lot of strain especially on your ankles and feet. Ankle support is vital for a badminton player so make sure to keep an eye for this to prevent injuries. Nowadays, with technology advancements, low-top shoes like the badminton ones can still be very effective to do this with a sturdy heel support and a supportive sole.
Durability
It’s great to have good badminton footwear but everyone likes value for money and would look for durability in their shoes. Wear and tear can be heavy, especially if you play frequently so look for shoes made from high-quality materials that can face the challenges provided by our sport. Also look out for the quality of the stitching and the construction of the shoes to ensure that your next shoes will stay with you for a long time.
Brand and Price
Looking for the perfect pair of shoes for your badminton adventure is quite an intensive task but ultimately it also boils down to the brand and price that you decide to go for. There is a big probability that you are not making any badminton money so sometimes it’s tempting to go for the cheapest option but if you want to play badminton on the right foot it is a good idea to invest in a high-quality pair of shoes as these can make a difference in your performance and comfort on the court.
Some of the most popular brands of shoes include Yonex, Victor and Li Ning badminton shoes but there is a huge selection that you can opt for. Also keep in mind that the most expensive does not always mean the best and sometimes you can find good quality at a reasonable price if you shop around.
Other factors and tips to buy good badminton footwear
In addition to the key factors discussed above, there are a few other tips to keep in mind when choosing your shoes.
Playing Style and Experience
To start with, keep in mind, your playing style and level of experience. If you are just starting playing badminton or you just play casually, you don’t need to spend your arm and leg to buy your first shoes. However, if you want to take it a step further or even compete at a high level, it would be wise to invest in high-quality shoes as these can prevent injuries and also improve your game.
Read, try, read, repeat
Like when buying anything else, it’s a good idea to read different reviews and do your own research. Surely, look at shoes with positive reviews from other badminton players and also read the recommendations on sizing and fit from the manufacturer themselves. You can also talk to your badminton peers and take recommendations from coaches, other players or anyone else who is knowledgable about the sport.
It would be great if you can try the shoes and if you can it would be even better if you can do so at the end of the day or after a workout, as usually your feet are slightly swollen. This will give you a better understanding how the shoes will fit your feet and how you would feel during game or practice. Also, use socks that you will be using with the shoes and also get any inserts you will be using to simulate the proper fit and achieve maximum comfort.
Conclusion: Badminton Footwear as an Investment
Ultimately, keep in mind that good shoes for badminton are an investment in your game and in your health. While it may seem a waste of time to spend time to choose the right shoes for you, choosing the right ones can make a big difference in your game especially your footwork. By keeping in mind different factors, like sole type, cushioning, fit and comfort, breathability, weight, support, durability, brand and price, you can try and find the best badminton shoes for men and women.