A pair of good, comfortable badminton shoes are the most important piece of badminton equipment need. Most people think of a badminton racket, racket string or even a high-quality shuttlecock when it comes to starting to play the game. No doubt a good badminton racket can enhance one's game. The same goes for a shuttlecock. Goose feather shuttlecocks, in particular, make for superior play. However, the most important item of any badminton player's gear is a good pair of badminton shoes. Simply put, the best badminton racket is going to be useless if you don't have the quickness and agility to move on the court and retrieve the shuttle. A good pair of badminton shoes is essential for that.

Footwear is a significant part of many athletic endeavors including basketball, soccer, tennis, and badminton – these all require shoes which go beyond the standard running shoes. What you put on your feet is essential not only for more efficient gameplay but also for proper safety. 

Badminton shoes are designed to be lightweight, cushioned, and have good traction. Proper shoes are needed for two basic reasons: they maximize your performance while minimizing chances of injury. So how do you choose the right shoes?  It can be confusing when looking at all the options, but there are things you need to consider that can help you find the right badminton shoe.

Sole:

The purpose of the soles is to provide good traction and grip on the court. Most badminton courts are wood or PU courts nowadays. Ideally, badminton shoes for this environment would have gum rubber soles. These soles are specially designed for indoor courts with non-marking rubber and they ensure that you have good traction on the surface. They do have the tendency to accumulate dirt and are not suitable for outdoor environments or cement courts.

Ventilation:

Breathable badminton shoes with lots of aeration are recommended. Double Russel mesh is the most popular choice for badminton shoes, as they are a very breathable fabric and is 8 times as efficient in air exchange than traditional shoes. Proper ventilation can prevent sweat from building up and also help deter blisters on your feet.

Cushion:

The cushion helps absorb impacts during game-play and helps prevent injury and optimizes performance.  Labels such as “power cushion” are useful characteristics to look for. Power cushion acts as a shock absorber and protects your feet from the impact of every move you make during a fast-paced badminton game.

Ergoshape refers to the shape or the contour of the shoes. It can provide good stability for the toes and the forefoot area, allowing for improved mobility and better support for the feet as well. It helps with rapid changes in direction and can give you more power. Shoes like this are designed with badminton in mind, so it’s always good to look for this when shopping.

Looking for lightweight shoes is also helpful. With lighter shoes, a quick lateral movement is much easier. Shoes are usually in the range of 250 - 350 grams so target somewhere in that area.

The sole, cushion and ventilation are all good starting points to make sure you find the proper shoes for you. In the end, you should consider a lightweight, breathable shoe which offers good support and grip. The shoes should fit snugly but not too tightly.

Badminton Warehouse has a wide variety of badminton shoes in stock. From the newly introduced Yonex Eclipsion Z badminton shoe to super light Yonex Aerus 3 MX and the Yonex Comfort Z badminton shoe,  we have everything to enhance your game with a proper pair of badminton shoes. All the badminton shoes online are also available at our brand new store in Schaumburg. Visit us and to find your pair of the perfect badminton shoe.