Badminton Shoes Buyer’s Guide [ Explained with Pictures ]
Badminton is one of the most fast-paced sports that involve rapid direction change and sudden movements. To tackle the arduous demands of the game, players need to have a good pair of badminton shoes. The biggest mistake beginner badminton players make is they buy regular trainers or running shoes. This not only decreases their performance but also amplifies their chances of getting injured during playing.
Badminton shoes have a thinner sole that reduces the center of gravity thereby reducing the vulnerability to injuries. Below mentioned are some of the tips that you need to consider while buying badminton shoes.
Badminton Shoe Buying Guide - Key Points
While buying badminton shoes one needs to keep in mind factors such as sole type, frequency of play etc. You can consider the below points to buy the best pair of badminton shoes.
1. Non-Marking Sole
The most important point to be kind in mind is the sole type. Badminton shoe soles must be non-marking soles. The non-marking sole means a sole that is made up of gum. A shoe with a non-marking sole helps in proper gripping and movement on the court.
If you are a beginner and have confusion about recognizing non-marking soles then the most basic thing to identify a non-marking sole is its color. Usually, they are of light brownish or clay color. However, nowadays shoes with colored non-marking soles are also available in the market.
2. Cushioning
Since badminton involves lunging and jumping, it is necessary for players to wear shoes with proper cushion. If you have shoes with a good cushion then it will help in the safe landing of feet during jumps and also reduce pressure from knees while landing. There are various companies such as ASICS, Yonex, Li-Ning etc. that sell good quality cushions for badminton shoes.
It must be noted that the cushion of badminton shoes must be thinner, softer and a little extended so that you can do the proper movement of your feet while playing. Usually, high-priced badminton shoes have a good cushion. You can choose the right pair of badminton shoes as per your budget.
3. Shoe Fit and Size
Another important factor that needs to be considered while buying badminton shoes is fit and size. Each player has a different size and foot type. Depending on foot type, players should buy badminton shoes. Nowadays, ergo-shaped shoes are available in the market. These shoes offer maximum stability and flexibility to players.
A properly fitted badminton shoe improves the performance of players and decreases the risk of ankle injuries. In case of improper fitting, there is a high chance that you will get an ankle injury while playing.
4. Level of Play
Your level of play also helps in deciding which badminton shoes you need to buy. If you play professionally then it is highly recommended you buy a good pair of badminton shoes. Being a professional player, you cannot afford to have an injury due to the bad quality of shoes. To compete with professional players and do hours of intense training, you must have badminton shoes with proper cushioning.
On the other hand, beginners or intermediate-level players first must know their frequency of play. If you play regularly then you can buy a good pair of badminton shoes that are not too costly. Since you are not playing professionally, medium-price ranged badminton shoes will do the work for you.
5. Flexibility of Shoe
Usually, there are two types of flexibility which are:
- Vertical Flexibility: It is the ability of shoes to bend from the toe box. Vertical flexibility is important in badminton shoes because badminton involves a lot of bending of the toes. In case your toe box material is not flexible then the pasting of the shoe will come off.
- Twisting Flexibility: Lateral movement is necessary while playing badminton. In order to ensure perfect lateral movement without causing injury the shoe's midsole must be flexible. In case of inflexibility, your ankle is exposed to injury.
6. Weight of Shoe
While buying badminton shoes, you must check the shoes' weight. In badminton, the weight of shoes is very important. Since it is a fast-paced sport that requires quick reflexes and movement, wearing too heavy shoes can make you tired easily. Further, heavy badminton shoes can also make you vulnerable to injuries. Usually, a badminton shoe weighs from 250 g to 330 g.
Therefore, these are the factors you need to consider while buying badminton shoes.
Now, you can check out the reasons why you should wear badminton shoes while playing and which are the popular badminton shoe companies.
Can I Wear Running Shoes While Playing Badminton?
The straightforward answer to this question is a big NO. You should only wear badminton shoes while playing badminton and the main reasons are the sole and length of the midsole.
The midsole of running shoes is pretty big which is not ideal for badminton. Since you are regularly changing direction, your feet should not be much elevated from the ground. High elevation enhances ankle injury probability. In badminton shoes, the midsole is not too big.
Another difference is the sole. Running shoes’ soles are made to provide grip on the ground. On the other hand, the soles of badminton shoes have a less firm grip. This avoids falling and also helps in changing directions quickly. However, if you are playing on a cemented court, you can play in running shoes. Although, it is not advisable to play badminton on cemented surfaces.
How Good Badminton Shoes Help You?
Wearing a good pair of badminton shoes has two main benefits. First, it will improve your performance and second, it prevents injuries. Injuries are one of the most heartbreaking things for a player. Therefore, it is extremely important for players to wear good badminton shoes while playing.
Ankle Injuries - Ankle injuries are the most common injuries in badminton. To avoid ankle injuries, players need to have badminton shoes with shock absorber mechanisms. Hours of intense training make you all the more vulnerable to ankle injuries. Therefore, it is necessary that you wear a good pair of badminton shoes.
Blisters - To prevent blisters, there are special soles available in the market. Repeated movement leads to friction that can cause blisters on your foot. A good pair of badminton shoes will avoid blisters. Ero-shape badminton shoes are one of the solutions to prevent blisters.
Best place to buy Badminton Shoes Online
In order to buy premium quality badminton shoes online, you can check our exclusive collection of top brands like ASICS, Yonex, Li-Ning etc. We are one of the leading online platforms for authentic badminton shoes and various other equipment for racquet sports.
Right from choosing the perfect pair of badminton shoes to the moment, they are delivered to your doorstep; we are there for you. Further, you can also take help from our experts to choose the perfect pair of badminton shoes to improve your game. Just click on the WhatsApp icon and start the conversation.
Wrap Up
Picking up the right pair of badminton shoes for any level of badminton player is really important. We tried to summarise the best practices to help you out.
Is there anything else you consider before buying a badminton shoe? Let us know in the comment box below.
