Badminton or in general, any sport cannot be played without its essential pieces of equipment. To play badminton, you will need a Racket, a good pair of badminton-friendly shoes, shuttlecocks, Sports Wear, a net, socks, and an optional wristband/headband depending on your need.
If you are an aspiring badminton player, you need to have all this equipment to play the sport. Therefore, take a look at a detailed overview of all the essential equipment you need to play badminton.
#1 Badminton Racket
Without any doubt, the most essential equipment for playing badminton is a badminton racket. A racket helps you hit different shots with the help of a shuttlecock without which it is impossible to play badminton. Rackets differ in size, weight, and cost. Moreover, your level of play is also a major factor to decide which racket to choose.
There are different rackets of various brands made for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level players.
Also read: 10 Badminton Rackets under INR 1000 bucks
#2 Shoes
To play badminton, it is necessary to have non-marking shoes to keep the court clean and mark-free. However, if you play outdoors, and use non-marking shoes then it would get spoiled because of the outdoor rough surface. Therefore, you can use sports shoes of your choice while playing outdoor.
Moreover, playing badminton requires too much movement of the feet, so it’s required to wear proper shoes for added protection and also to prevent injuries. In my opinion, it is always better to go for shoes specifically designed for badminton. These can be slightly expensive, but will surely be worth the price you pay for. You can also check out our badminton shoes guide to select the right pair of shoes for yourself.
Also read: Top 5 Yonex Badminton Shoes 2020
#3 Shuttlecocks
There are two types of shuttlecocks used in badminton-synthetic and feather. However, feather shuttles are compulsorily used in professional badminton matches. Therefore, if you are just starting to play badminton, I would recommend you to start with plastic shuttles as they are cheaper and comparatively more durable.
#4 Sports Wear
This is not very important equipment as compared to a shuttlecock/racket but it enhances your play when you wear comfortable clothing. As badminton is a highly intensive sport, the amount of sweating is a lot so wearing light clothing can absorb the heat quickly which adds to your comfort.
Mostly, a comfortable pair of t-shirt and shorts/skirts are used while playing badminton. Wearing comfortable clothes will allow you to move faster and better on the court as you will play without thinking about your outfit.
#5 Kit Bag
A badminton kitbag is not recommended for a beginner. However, if you are a regular badminton player, kit bags help you to keep all your badminton equipment systematically. They come in different materials, sizes and patterns. Choose one that matches your requirement. For instance, if you are a professional player, you will need a bigger kit bag with 2-3 straps that will allow you to keep all that you need in your practice and during matches.
#6 Net
A badminton net divided the badminton court into two halves and it is necessary equipment required to play badminton. Well, if you play indoors, the net is usually present on the court. However, you will need a portable net while playing AirBadminton or badminton outdoors.
#7 Socks
The importance of badminton-specific socks is that they are thicker which provides added comfort and cushioning to your ankle reducing the chances of injury. Moreover, good quality socks absorb sweat easily and keep your feet dry for maximum time. Therefore, don’t compromise your practice with cheaper and low-quality socks as a precaution is better than cure.
#8 Wristband/Headband
A wristband and headband are not obligatory equipment that you will need to play badminton. However, if you sweat a lot, a wristband prevents the sweat from reaching your racket. Likewise, if your hair keeps coming your way while playing, a headband would help in such a case which will prevent the sweat from reaching your eyes and face.
