Best Shoes For Badminton: A Buyer’s Guide


Badminton is the fastest sport in the world that requires not only skills and precision but also speed and agility. Therefore, you should be very careful about the pair of shoes you wear while playing badminton.

A good pair of badminton shoes aids your performance by giving you the optimum comfort to move around the court freely. If the shoes have good shock absorption capabilities, it also helps to reduce the risk of injuries. 

Well, various factors define a good pair of badminton shoes. These factors include weight, ankle support, ventilation, sole thickness, sole type, cushioning, ergo shape, and moisture control.

In this article, I have explained numerous good pairs of badminton shoes which you can take into consideration if you are looking to make a purchase. 

YONEX Power Cushion Aerus 3

These shoes are particularly designed for playing indoor sports. They have an excellent grip on the surface and are very comfortable. One great thing about these shoes is that they’re pretty lightweight and hence, easy to carry around.

These shoes provide a power cushion to reduce stress in your knees and guarantee maximum footwork. The Yonex Power Cushion Aerus 3 is one of the best badminton shoes available out there on the market.

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Babolat Shadow Spirit

These shoes are really good and are recommended for all advanced badminton players. These can be used indoors as well as outdoors.

These shoes have a three-dimensional design that provides a great grip and helps to produce quick movements and footwork.

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Victor A960

Victor A960 is an all-around type of professional badminton footwear. This pair of shoes comes up with some amazing technological features. It uses energy max 3.0 which provides massive protection to the player.

The flexible design for the outsole using the LS-S technology increases lateral stability during an intense and fast transfer of direction while playing badminton. 

Also, multidirectional grooves are added to the sole which increases flexibility and elasticity. The X-Fit extends the midfoot and provides better comfortable protection and breathability. 

The Feather Resilient EVA is 20 percent lighter as compared to the traditional midsole which helps to relieve leg muscle strain and makes swift movement easier and faster. 

Li-Ning AYTM085

This pair of shoes is ideal for professional badminton players. It uses Cushion technology for advanced comfort. Also, it uses the ProBar LOC technology for added stability.

It also features the Tuff Tip technology for extra durability at the top. For added durability and traction, it uses Bounce technology and Carbon Fibre Shank for added protection.

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Victor SH-A920

This pair of professional badminton shoes are engineered with Neo Duplex technology in the midsole which absorbs the impact when your feet land. Your movement will be smoother and your ankles are supported with top stability.

The light Resilient EVA beneath complements the foot’s dynamic motion ensuring great support and cushioning. The Radiation pattern on the sole provides more grip during lateral and vertical movement. It has a great energy absorption mechanism that helps to prevent injuries. 

Yonex Power Cushion 65 Z For Men

This pair of shoes is equipped with the latest power cushion plus and is the favorite of the former World no. 1, Victor Axelson. The new power cushion plus is tested to increase the shock absorption by 25% and footwork repulsion by 12%.

It is designed to be soft in the upper area and reduces stress at the side of your feet. The power cushion plus absorbs the impact shot and transfers energy into your next shot. The seamless design and power graphic lite are also some attractive features. 

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Yonex SHB-SC5 MX Badminton Shoes

This shoe is designed for maximum stability and efficient cushioning for comfort and protection of your ankles and feet. It comes with the Hexagrip technology for agile and stable footwork.

The Yonex Round Sole has been designed to provide all-around support for quick and smooth footwork. It integrates into the forefoot and heel of the shoe to minimize power loss, which ensures smooth movements in the transfer of maximum energy to successive movements. 

It also used the double Russel mesh which is super light and durable and provides 8 more times air-exchange performance than ordinary mesh. The lateral claw construction stabilizes the side of the feet to prevent lateral movement upon landing. 

Overall, these shoes are pretty comfortable and affordable.

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ASICS Women’s Gel Upcourt

This shoe comes with a very different design but performance-wise, it is one of the best. It is a simple design but offers comfort and support during your match.

An EVA midsole and sock liner give a comfortable experience while also providing excellent rebound. The inner cushioning is pretty amazing as it quickly absorbs the impact of your jumps and other brisk movements. 

Overall, this is very helpful to improve your performance and is quite affordable as well. 

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Yonex Power Cushion SHB-02 LTD Limited Edition

This shoe features an asymmetrical fit that gives the foot support and stability it needs for more accurate footwork. The upper part of the shoe is made of P.U. Leather for durability and a Double Russel Mesh which offers better ventilation and keeps your feet dry. Its midsole is equipped with ToughBrid Light, Power Cushion, Solid E.V.A., and T.P.U technology for comfort, impact absorption, and grip. One unique feature of this shoe is the extra layer of durable skin on the top which also makes it look better.

Overall, this shoe is a perfect combination of durability, balance, and weight. 

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Yonex HydroForce 2

The HydroForce 2 features itself with a True cushion and True shape technology developed for Intermediate Badminton players. It is an updated version of Yonex HydroForce with new features involved. 

The True Cushion and True shape technology provide a better shock-absorbing ability and better comfort. True Cushion is built with two layers of shock absorption technology. This offers comfort to the players which helps them in covering the court quickly. 

True Shape technology provides quick compression recovery and stability in the forefoot and toe area which reduced the chances of injuries. 

ASICS Men’s GEL-Upcourt Indoor Court Shoes

It is one of the most affordable shoes developed by ASICS. Though its appearance is mediocre, the shoe has several unique benefits. It offers excellent ventilation which keeps you lightly weighted which enhances your speed and stability.

This shoe is very durable as the tough leather material prevents wear and tear. It also has a good grip on the bottom sole. 

Li-Ning AYTM105-4

This shoe features some unique properties that help to enhance your performance. It has a higher rebound than ordinary midsole material. The seamless design gives comfort as it is lightweight while playing.

The TPU Support provides you with a stable sports experience while preventing injury to your ankle. The crystal midsole with grooves is flexible to change position. The cushion used in the main impact parts in the midsole makes a smooth and stable transition when exercising.

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Yonex Power Cushion Infinity

The new technology is introduced by Yonex so that players can get the best fit and comfort in badminton shoes. It has a Double Dial BOA Fit System which creates a precise fit from two simple dials.

The dials are positioned to secure your toes and ankles in the shoes. This provides dynamic footwork and comfort at the same time. The toe-centric design cuts down the pressure on the big toe and offers improved support at the midfoot and heel.

The Syncro fit insole creates a secure contact between the foot and the shoe and the Hexa grip helps in agility and stable footwork. It also features a power cushion plus which provides high shock absorption. 

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Li-Ning Ranger TD 3

These shoes are specifically meant for professionals. The outer sole which is made up of biomimetic makes the person more active on the pitch with energetic griping and flexibility. Excellent quality material is used to make this shoe, making it more reliable and comfortable.

The seamless design gives it comfort and makes it lightweight. It has a bionic, flexible, anti-slip, and wear-resistant rubber outsole. The Energy Max V technology provides more repulsion for enhanced transfer of energy. This shoe has been used by PV Sindhu, Tontowi Ahmad, and many more elite badminton players. 

Overall, this shoe is the perfect balance between agility and stability. 

Final Thoughts 

There are many benefits of playing with a good pair of badminton shoes. Firstly, a good pair of shoes helps to prevent injuries. From sprains to ankle and knee injuries, a good pair of shoes will absorb such shocks and prevent such injuries.

Secondly, they will help to reduce blisters as they will have proper ventilation and a reliable sole. Lastly, a good pair of shoes will help in better performance. 

Therefore, select the pair of shoes that will help to improve your performance, speed, and movement during the game. Pick out the best shoe, based on your level of experience, personal preferences, and budget.

Though these badminton shoes will help in improving your performance, a lot more will depend upon your skills and practice. So, keep practicing with the right and suitable pair of shoes. 

If you are looking for the best badminton equipment, we have a complete guide on the same. Click here to check out the article where we list down all the recommended products to play badminton.

I hope this article was helpful. If so, do share it so that others can also find it.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game!

Anushree Burad

Qualified as an MBA in Sports Management. A Sports fanatic and a passionate badminton player. My passion for sports drove me to foray into sports writing. This is my attempt at translating my thoughts into words. Looking forward to contributing to Sports through my writing.

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