Knowledge

WHY ARE BADMINTON SHOES A MUST?

Johan, VICTOR Footwear Product R&D
 
Badminton is an easy sport to play. It can improve your cardiorespiratory endurance, build your body and muscles, and even help boost your social life. However, a lot of people have overlooked the activity level required for the sport and the high intensity of badminton. We often see people play badminton wearing different kinds of sneakers, but it’s actually pretty dangerous. Why? Because the soles of badminton shoes are responsible for direct contact with all kinds of court surfaces, such as PU, PVC, wood, concrete, asphalt, and so on, and it’s crucial to select a suitable sole material. Besides, badminton players need to do plenty of complex all-around movements including sudden stop, jumping, changing directions, etc. Therefore, it is highly suggested for players to wear specialized badminton shoes. A pair of good badminton shoes can provide better protection to the feet and minimize the chance of damage. The following section will introduce various types of sneakers and the difference between them and badminton shoes. Such information can help make consumers more aware of the necessity of wearing badminton shoes.
 
Badminton shoes are specifically designed for the footwork and movement in badminton. Anti-slip and wear-resistant rubber makes the perfect material for the soles of badminton shoes, while the midfoot part requires excellent shock-absorption and resilience. A comfortable, soft, and breathable upper is also a necessity for overall coverage. In order to provide better protection, the last of badminton shoes also differs from that of typical sneakers because certain parts of last, such as inner toes, wears out easily and needs to be made with highly wear-resistant material. In conclusion, there are all kinds of factors to take into consideration when designing a pair of badminton shoes.
 

VICTOR P9300 badminton shoes
 
Running shoes are the most common type of sneakers among general consumers. Running involves forward movement, so the shock-absorption on the heels, as well as breathability and overall upper protection, is key to the design of running shoes. Take VICTOR R701 running shoes as an example: Extensive, breathable mesh on the upper is equipped with No Sew technique to bring out excellent breathability and coverage. The heels come with structural shock-absorption design, providing outstanding resilience and strong cushion performance. The midsole is made of elastic EVA material to enable comfortable fit. Last but not least, the wear-resistant, anti-slip rubber further prolongs the lifespan of the sole. Furthermore, the stiffness required varies based on the sport's specific athletic skills and requirements. Running shoes lack the lateral stability design that badminton shoes require because of their extensive mesh, higher heels, and softer midsole, and it might increase the risk of sprained ankles if you play badminton in them. It’s never recommended to play badminton wearing running shoes.
 

VICTOR R701 running shoes
 
Basketball shoes are the most popular type of sneakers among students. Playing basketball requires a lot of jumping, which makes high-tops the most common shoe design. However, the high-top design limits the footwork in badminton and fails to provide the flexibility needed during heel landing. What’s more, basketball shoes focus more on the shock-absorption on the heels, whereas badminton shoes require not only good shock-absorption but also excellent elasticity, which makes another difference between basketball shoes and badminton shoes. There are two types of basketball shoes nowadays: outdoor shoes and indoor shoes. Different patterns and stiffness are used in making the rubber soles of these two types of shoes. The abovementioned is basically the major difference between basketball shoes and badminton shoes. Keep in mind that it’s important to wear sport-specific shoes.
 
The abovementioned information has covered the basic knowledge of different kinds of sneakers and their respective functions. Don’t forget to wear a pair of comfortable badminton shoes while enjoying the sport and release your potential without worries!