Are you about to buy your first pair of badminton shoes? Or did your last pair disappoint, so you want to get it right this time? I have got you covered. I have dedicated this article specifically to badminton shoes for beginners.
I will tell you what you need to look for, offer some of the wisdom I have gained over the years, and make some recommendations that I think are worth taking a look at. So, let’s get started.
Tips for Buying Badminton Shoes for Beginners
Badminton shoes are different from regular shoes. Most generalized sports shoes you get in the market are not suitable for badminton because they are designed for walking and running.
Some believe you can use tennis shoes for badminton. I mean you can, but you shouldn’t because the sole is different.
Considering all of this, here are some tips to buy badminton shoes for beginners.
- Sole
Badminton shoes should have a thin and flexible rubber sole. Thick soles won’t give you the flexibility needed for quick lateral movements. Rubber soles also ensure you don’t leave any scratches on the wooden badminton court.
- Size
This is a no-brainer, I know. You always check the size while buying. What I want to emphasize is that, if you have wide feet, make sure the shoe is wide enough. Your feet shouldn’t feel suffocated. Also, make sure there isn’t much gap near the toe area. That can cause blisters due to constant movement.
- Cushioning
Good badminton shoes should have appropriate cushioning. Not too thin that your feet have to absorb the shock when you land after a jump. And not too thick that the shoes become heavy and restrict your movement.
- Ventilation
From all the intense playing heat and moisture builds up inside the shoes. There should be some space for them to escape. The solution is to get shoes of breathable material. If not, they should at least have small vents with breathable fabric that will remove excess heat from the shoes.
- Flexibility
While talking about the sole I mentioned you need a flexible rubber sole. In addition, you also need the entire shoe to be flexible. It should bend in all the appropriate places so you can have free movement while standing on your toes or running sideways.
- Lightweight
If your shoes are heavy, you will notice a drag while running and jumping. So even with the cushioning, your badminton shoes for beginners should be lightweight.
6 Best Badminton Shoes for Beginners
As promised, here are my recommendations for badminton shoes for beginners
- Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Accelerator Slim Badminton Shoes
- Li-Ning Ultra Fly III Badminton Shoes
- Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z Wide Badminton Shoes
- Yonex Badminton Shoes Power Cushion Cascade Axle Wide
- Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage3
- Adidas Women’s Ligra 7 Indoor Court Shoe
Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Accelerator Slim Badminton Shoes
The Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Accelerator Slim are unisex badminton shoes with a synthetic resin mid sole. It’s well known for conveying power without any loss even during rapid footwork.
Why I recommend Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Accelerator Slim Badminton Shoes?
- The entire cascade series is an all-rounder series which means you will have excellent flexibility and support from all angles.
- It has a special toe assist design that ensures there’s little to no pressure on the toes. So, you can bend and flex them easily and without pressure.
- Due to the power cushion, mid-foot and heel support is increased. As a result, movement within the shoe is limited. So, you not only prevent blisters but also make rapid lateral movements.
Li-Ning Ultra Fly III Badminton Shoes
For players who don’t like Yonex shoes for some reason, Li-Ning is an excellent alternative. The Li-Ning Ultra Fly III are lightweight shoes designed so that you can fly through the court. Not literally, of course; it’s a way of saying that you can swiftly move from one part of the court to another with quick movements.
Why I recommend Li-Ning Ultra Fly III Badminton Shoes?
- It is very lightweight at just 310 grams, which is great for men. Women might find it a bit heavy, so I would recommend this pair, especially for men.
- The shoe’s entire material is breathable because of the combination of mesh and TPU. You won’t feel any trapped air while playing.
- The outsole is made of rubber, which is essential for non-marking shoes. However, the midsole is made of Phylon, which provides the necessary cushioning.
Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z Wide Badminton Shoes
The Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z Wide shoes are designed specifically for players with wide feet. Remember, we discussed this in the size section? If you have wide feet, make sure the shoe is wide enough. In such cases, this particular model is an excellent option.
Why I recommend Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z Wide Badminton Shoes?
- The base of the shoes is wider than traditional shoes. Also, there’s extra support around the heel, so the gap between the shoe and the foot is minimized.
- A 3D power graphite plate is inserted in the midsole so the weight of the shoe is reduced. This plate also reinforces your stability while landing after a jump.
- The sole has a distinct radial blade pattern which will assist in better directional change. This design increases traction in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions so you can shift smoothly in any desired direction.
Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Axle Wide Badminton Shoes
The Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Axle Wide shoes are another great example of wide badminton shoes for players with wide feet. They are from the Cascade series, so you can expect an all-rounder nature with great flexibility.
Why I recommend Yonex Power Cushion Cascade Axle Wide Badminton Shoes?
- This pair uses lightweight and shock-absorbent material for cushioning. So, upon receiving a shock due to landing, the cushion immediately returns to its original position. The shock energy is effectively converted into power for fast and light movements.
- The entire material of the shoe is highly breathable. Plus, there are many small vents with more breathable material. So, maximum ventilation is guaranteed.
- The sole is rounded at the front and back, unlike just the front of traditional badminton shoes. This rounded nature of the sole ensures maximum energy is transferred into the next shot.
Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage 3
The Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage 3 are unisex badminton shoes built for comfort and speed. It’s an excellent choice for beginners but because of their high flexibility, stability, and durability even intermediate players could benefit from them.
Why I recommend Yonex Power Cushion Sonicage 3?
- The material used for these shoes is highly durable and perfectly hugs the skin. Because of that, with each movement, it evenly distributes pressure on the entire foot.
- It uses Power Cushion + material for cushioning which gives 28% more shock absorption and 62% more repulsion than regular Yonex Power Cushion. This means smoother and faster movements on the court. This is one of the reasons why I recommend this even for intermediate players.
- Just like the Aerus Z Wide, these shoes also have a graphite plate inserted in the midsole. This reduces shoe weight and increases stability.
Adidas Women’s Ligra 7 Indoor Court Shoes
The Adidas Women’s Ligra 7 Indoor Court Shoes are designed specifically for women badminton players. These shoes are made with at least 50% recycled materials. Players who are environmentally conscious will love this pair. I generally wouldn’t recommend Adidas shoes for badminton, but this one really stood out to me.
Why I recommend Adidas Women’s Ligra 7 Indoor Court Shoes?
It has all the qualities of a good pair of badminton shoes.
- Some parts of the upper material is breathable mesh fabric, so ventilation is maintained.
- The non-marking rubber sole has a multi-directional grip for easy movement in all directions.
- Synthetic leather toe in the front gives extra support to the toe box.
- The EVA midsole cushioning ensures you don’t hurt your feet while landing.
Additional Tips for Choosing Badminton Shoes
Along with all that we discussed before, here are some additional tips for choosing the right badminton shoes for beginners.
- Try Before You Buy
Always try on the shoes before finalizing them. If you go to a store, then you have a lot of options to try on. The store might ask you to put on unused socks or plastic bags over your feet to avoid damaging the shoes. So, always carry a clean pair of socks.
If you are buying online, then make sure you buy products that can be returned or exchanged. So, you can try them on and return them if they aren’t as per your expectations.
I usually select 2-3 pairs and order them together. I try all of them and keep the best one. The remaining ones I return to the sender and get my refund. The refund process is highly vetted, so make sure you maintain the shoes. If they receive a damaged product, you won’t get your refund.
- Consider Your Playing Style
Ideally you should buy shoes that will match your playing style. Intermediate and advanced players are well aware of their individual playing styles. So, it’s easier for them to choose a pair. But beginners are still trying to establish their style. I suggest that you should get a pair that’s suitable for high smashes. So, you get the extra cushioning. But if you find it hard to move around with extra cushioning you need a pair with a slim sole.
- Read the Description Before Buying
Always, always, always read the entire description before buying a pair of badminton shoes online. The description has all the specifications of the shoes and displays all the technologies they use.
Most people think holding a shoe in hand will give them all the information but reading the description is also very important to know you have all the details.
Conclusion
Now you know all you need to know for buying badminton shoes for beginners. It’s not rocket science. The choices are usually simple. Just make sure:
- Choose a gum rubber sole
- Check the size
- Get good quality material
- Ventilation is a must
- Don’t overspend if you are playing for recreational purposes
With this in mind, you are all set to buy badminton shoes for beginners. The shoes I recommended in this article are some of the best from top brands. If you are looking for a specific brand, ask me in the comments, and I’ll let you know.
Declaration: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. I may earn a commission when you click and make a purchase from these links. You do not bear any extra cost by clicking on these links.
FAQs
What is the difference between running shoes and badminton shoes?
The major difference between running shoes and badminton shoes is the sole. Running shoes have thicker soles with horizontal lines for grip. Badminton shoes have thinner and more flexible soles for swift lateral movements.
Should I walk outside with badminton shoes?
No, you should never walk outside with badminton shoes as dust and dirt can stick to the bottom of the shoes. This dirt can cause scratches on the wooden badminton court and also slow down your movement.
Are all badminton shoes expensive?
No, not all badminton shoes are expensive. There are some really good and affordable options available. If you guys insist, I can create a separate article for affordable badminton shoes. Do let me know in the comments.
Which type of badminton shoes are best for a wooden court?
Almost all badminton shoes are suitable for a wooden court. But if you want to confirm, check that they have a gum rubber sole. This type of sole doesn’t leave behind scratch marks on wooden courts.
