Many people
are curious to know what makes a great badminton shoe a great badminton shoe
and what the difference is between our badminton shoes. Today we would like
to share some insight with you. A great badminton shoe is vital to enjoying the
game of badminton and the better the shoes the more enjoyable the sport for a
number of different reasons. A badminton shoe is where the “rubber meets the road” and just like the tires on your car, it's not possible to play
safely and effectively without them.
The first
thing that you need to look for when selecting the right badminton shoe is
comfort. Without a comfortable badminton shoe, you will likely feel
unnecessarily tired and sore. Comfortable badminton shoes absorb much of the shock
from jumping and lunging and help to protect joints and muscles while reducing
fatigue and soreness. Li-Ning badminton shoes are rated from 1 to 10 for
comfort so you know what to expect when you get on the courts and start playing.
Our more comfortable shoes include cushion technology in the heel of the shoe
and more comfort in the insole. The more comfort technology built into the shoe
the higher the comfort rating and the more the badminton shoes typically cost.
Next is
support. In order to protect the arch and the foot in general, the badminton
shoes needs to provide support for the foot. Higher level play warrants the
need for superior support because high level athletes typically lung and jump
more and the amount of shock and pressure on the feet increases. Li-Ning
badminton shoes include a number of different technologies to deliver superior
support including our carbon fiber shank. This is molded into the bottom of the
shoe and it a lightweight solution to providing rigidity in the sole of the
shoe. Some carbon fiber shanks even include a vent to allow the feet to breathe
and stay cool while playing.
A badminton
shoe should fit and wear like a slipper and should feel light weight making you
nimble while moving around the court. There is usually a fine line between
adding technologies and the weight of the shoe. For example, if a carbon fiber
shank is eliminated, the weight of the shoe is reduced but the support is also
reduced. So just because a shoe is lighter than another doesn’t mean it’s a superior
shoe. It simply means its lighter which may or not be a benefit dependent upon
what other technologies the light shoe has. You will find men’s badminton shoes
and women’s badminton shoes will range in weight from about 10 ounces to 13
ounces but remember to review what other benefits a slightly heavier shoe may
provide as the additional weight may be worth it in the long run.
Having
excellent traction while moving around the court is also of utmost importance
and wearing badminton shoes that provide superior traction will certainly win
you points and potentially help to avoid injury. It’s difficult to go wrong
with gum rubber soles because they are durable and they stick to most badminton
court surfaces. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and flexible PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) are widely used due their durability and cushioning properties. Some
shoes even have multi-flex soles that bend and give as the athlete moves which
gives them even more traction and agility. Slipping and falling on the court is
dangerous and is certain to cost you valuable points so be certain to buy the
best shoes possible including traction to ensure that you always look your best
while playing your best.
A less
expensive badminton shoes is often less durable because in order to lower the
price, something has to give. Durable men’s badminton shoes and women’s
badminton shoes are made from quality synthetic materials and include strong stitching
and reinforcement in key wear areas. Higher grade light weight synthetic
materials can be found in the top-of-the-line models and although you will find
a higher price tag they should last much longer making them a sound financial
choice in the long run.
And to
finish things off, your men’s badminton shoes and women’s badminton shoes must
allow your feet to breathe. If your badminton shoes do not allow your feet to
breathe your feet may get sweaty while playing resulting in painful blisters
causing you to sit on the sidelines until they heal. Li-Ning badminton shoes
often include specially designed vents in the bottom of the shoes to help your
feet breath and the upper materials either have vents for breathability or are
made from synthetic materials that naturally breathe on their own.
