Why are badminton shoes important for your game ?

Badminton is growing increasingly popular in recent years. If you are playing badminton for leisure and fun, it is important to choose the right shoes for the activity.

Badminton players need to do plenty of complex all-around movements, including sudden stops, jumping, changing directions, etc. Therefore, it is highly suggested that players wear specialized 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. A pair of good badminton shoes can provide better protection for the feet and minimise the chance of injury. Here are three tips that the experts share on how to choose the right badminton shoes:

Choose Badminton Shoes Based on Your Exercise Habits

A good pair of badminton shoes should have the basic features required for fast movements, such as well-fitting, anti-skid, ensuring effective take-offs, shock-absorbing, stable, and more.

• Well-fitting: VICTOR's lasts can be divided into V-SHAPE and Ｕ-SHAPE based on different foot shapes, and can be further split into Slim 2.0, Standard 2.5, Wide 3.0, and Square Toe Wide 3.5 based on their width. Players with narrower feet or who prefer a snug fit can go for narrow lasts or V-SHAPE lasts; players with the opposite needs can pick wider lasts or Ｕ-SHAPE lasts to enjoy greater comfort.

• Stable: Players with heavier footwork or greater weights can put extra pressure or strain on the shoes, so it is better for them to choose shoes designed with stable and supportive uppers and soles, such as carbon fiber midsole, TPU sole, or no-sew upper.

• Ensuring effective take-offs: Players who look for speed can go for lighter shoes. The stiffness of the midsole can affect the take-off performance: the stiffer the midsole material, the better players can lift off from the floor. If you find the shoes you wear are soft and make take-offs less effective, try to press the midsole area and see how stiff it is when picking shoes, and choose shoes with stiffer midsoles or with soles optimized for take-offs. However, for players who like soft midsole but don't want to compromise on take-off performance, the low-to-the-ground design is a great choice as it helps accelerate response time and facilitate effective take-offs.

• Shock-absorbing: Badminton footwork tends to induce more pressure on the forefoot and hindfoot. If you find discomfort caused by pressure on your soles, it is better to choose shoes built with a better shock-absorbing structure or material, or shoes designed with thick midsole on the forefoot and hindfoot areas, both of which can effectively reduce pressure on the soles of the feet during exercise.

• Durable: Some players develop the habit of dragging, which can make a pair of new-looking shoes show excessive wear on the inside edge of the toe caps. Shoes with wear-resistant TPU or KPU toe caps are a great choice for this type of players to make their shoes longer-lasting.

The Lifespan of the Shoes Depends on How Often You Play

The shoe's performance will decrease with frequent use; the intensity of exercise can also affect how fast it starts to decline. For example, players who engage in intensive training will find a significant decrease in the performance of shoes after around a month; for amateur players who play three times a week, it might take three months to feel the decline, especially in shock absorbency and the fitness of shoes. It is recommended for players who play more than three times a week to prepare two pairs of shoes and take turns to wear. This can allow the shoes to be worn longer.

Try On to Make Sure the Shoes Are Well-Fitting and Comfortable

• Size: Always try on shoes with socks. There should be about one finger's width of space at the end to prevent your feet from moving around inside of the shoes when doing a sudden stop.

• Fitness: The uppers should fit the feet snugly (height- and width-wise both). If it is easy for the feet to move around inside of the shoes, then the shoes might be too big; if it feels tight, then there is not enough room in the shoes.

• Comfort: If the size and fitness are right, try to bend your forefoot and see if the material puts pressure on your foot.

When choosing badminton shoes, avoid getting bigger sizes just for the comfort on the forefoot. One should always pick the shoes with lasts and sizes that fit their own foot shapes to avoid injury risk. A good pair of shoes allows you to enjoy badminton more safely and helps to improve your performance. We hope this article can help everyone find the shoes that best suit them.

What is the right string tension for your badminton racket ?

As a badminton enthusiast, do you often find it difficult to choose from the wide variety of badminton racket strings available? The VICTOR Badminton Classroom is here to provide you with an expert analysis of the various string options and tension levels to help you customise your racket to your needs.

Types of Racket Strings
VICTOR names its string products based on the string's diameter, which can be categorised into three major types:

Durability | Control | High Resilience 

With a diameter of 0.69 mm or above, these strings offer excellent durability and a versatile feel.

VBS-70, VBS-69N,

With a diameter of 0.67 mm to 0.68 mm, this string optimizes stability and controllability. It also provides a longer dwell time to the shuttle.

VBS-68P,

With a diameter of 0.66 mm or below, this string is suitable for players who are looking to elevate their game to the next level with exceptional elasticity.

VBS-66N, VBS-63

String Tension Difference

Lower string tensions create a comfortable and light feel when playing, while higher string tensions create a hard feel that allows for better power transmission. However, the tension number does not necessarily indicate a player's skill level. It is recommended to start with a tension of 24 lbs(10.5 kg) and make gradual adjustments based on your strength and playing preferences.

Myths about String Tension on Rackets: higher tension will give more power.

Reality: Rackets with a string tension higher than 26 lbs(11.5 kg) are better suited to players who can generate power more effectively. Players who are still developing their skills may find it challenging to control and experience some discomfort when using such rackets. Improper techniques for generating power may even result in sports injuries.

For the players who are still exploring and developing their skills, we suggest starting with a moderate string tension. This will help discover each player's playing style. For advanced players, higher string tensions may provide a more elastic and crisper feel. Therefore, here are three recommended racket string combinations to consider.

For attack-oriented players, it is recommended to choose strings that offer a hard feel and great durability in order to increase smash power and durability.

For speed-oriented players, it is recommended to choose strings that are elastic in order to facilitate quick and easy hit-and-return.

For control-oriented players, it is recommended to choose strings that offer a longer dwell time to the shuttle in order to receive subtle feedback during shots.

Players should always choose their racket string and tension based on their personal preferences. The best combination is the one that is suitable for you and can help elevate your game to the next level. There is no absolute superiority or inferiority when it comes to picking badminton strings. The racket and tension that work best for you will be your best partners on the court!