Gear guide · last reviewed 2026-10
Badminton shoes: buying guide
Court grip, lateral support and cushioning: the most important equipment for injury prevention.
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How to choose
Proper court shoes are the single most important piece of kit. Running shoes have tall, soft soles that roll on lateral movements and cause ankle sprains. Badminton (or indoor court) shoes have a low, grippy, non-marking gum sole and strong side support.
- Sole
- Non-marking gum rubber for grip on court mats and wooden floors.
- Lateral support
- Firm sides and a stable heel to stop the foot rolling on lunges and side steps.
- Cushioning
- Protects knees and heels on landings; more cushioning suits heavier or older players.
- Fit and width
- Snug heel, a thumb's width at the toes; some brands offer wide versions.
What to look for at each level
- Beginner: Any genuine indoor court shoe beats a running shoe.
- Intermediate: Mid-range badminton shoe with good cushioning.
- Advanced: Stability and grip matched to your movement style.
- Professional: Top-line shoes, replaced before the grip and cushioning wear out.
Picks by level and budget
| Level | Budget under ₹4,000 / $60 | Mid-range ₹4,000–9,000 / $60–120 | Premium above ₹9,000 / $120 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Asics Gel-Rocket Yonex Power Cushion Strider (Flow / Beat) HUNDRED Beast Max | Yonex Power Cushion Comfort Z | Yonex Power Cushion 65 Z |
| Intermediate | Asics Gel-Rocket Yonex Power Cushion Strider (Flow / Beat) HUNDRED Beast Max | Yonex Power Cushion Comfort Z Asics Gel-Blade Li-Ning Saga II HUNDRED Beast Armor | Yonex Power Cushion 65 Z |
| Advanced | At this level spend more on shoes: better cushioning and stability protect your knees and ankles. | Yonex Power Cushion Comfort Z Asics Gel-Blade Li-Ning Saga II HUNDRED Beast Armor | Yonex Power Cushion 65 Z Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion Z Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z Victor P9200 Victor A970 Ace Asics Sky Elite FF Mizuno Wave Fang |
| Professional | Professionals need top-line shoes, replaced often, to protect against injury. | Asics Gel-Blade | Yonex Power Cushion 65 Z Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion Z Yonex Power Cushion Aerus Z Victor P9200 Victor A970 Ace Asics Sky Elite FF Mizuno Wave Fang |
All badminton shoes we recommend
Gel-Rocket
Beginner · Intermediate
- Sole
- Gum rubber, non-marking
- Use
- Indoor court
Best for: Beginners on a budget.
An affordable, genuine indoor court shoe with good grip and support.
Power Cushion Strider (Flow / Beat)
Beginner · Intermediate
- Cushioning
- Power Cushion
Best for: New and social players.
Entry-level Yonex badminton shoe with the brand's cushioning.
Beast Max
Beginner · Intermediate
- Sole
- Non-marking
- Use
- Badminton and indoor courts
Best for: Budget-conscious players who need proper non-marking court shoes.
An affordable, lightweight indoor court shoe that is widely available in India.
Power Cushion Comfort Z
Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced
- Focus
- Cushioning and comfort
Best for: Heavier players and those with sore knees or heels.
Extra cushioning for comfort over long sessions.
Gel-Blade
Intermediate · Advanced · Professional · All-round, Defence & speed
- Focus
- Lateral stability
Best for: Club players who move hard side to side.
A stable court shoe designed for quick lateral movement.
Saga II
Intermediate · Advanced
- Focus
- All-round
Best for: All-round club and competitive players.
A popular all-round badminton shoe from Li-Ning.
Beast Armor
Intermediate · Advanced
- Focus
- Lateral support, cushioning
- Sole
- Non-marking
Best for: Club players who move hard side to side.
Reinforced support zones and responsive cushioning for quick footwork; also suitable for pickleball.
Power Cushion 65 Z
Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
- Focus
- All-round cushioning and fit
Best for: Most competitive players: the classic all-rounder.
One of the most popular badminton shoes: well cushioned, grippy and comfortable.
Power Cushion Eclipsion Z
Advanced · Professional · Attack, All-round · Singles
- Focus
- Stability
Best for: Powerful movers who need maximum stability.
Built for stability on hard lunges and landings.
Power Cushion Aerus Z
Advanced · Professional · Defence & speed, All-round · Doubles, Mixed doubles
- Focus
- Lightweight
Best for: Fast, light-footed players.
One of the lightest badminton shoes, for speed around the court.
Less cushioning than heavier models.
P9200
Advanced · Professional
- Focus
- Stability and support
Best for: Players who want a stable, supportive shoe.
A long-running Victor shoe known for support and durability.
A970 Ace
Advanced · Professional
- Focus
- Responsive, all-round
Best for: Competitive players wanting a responsive feel.
Victor's premium all-round shoe line.
Sky Elite FF
Advanced · Professional · Attack · Singles, Doubles
- Focus
- Lightweight, springy (indoor court)
Best for: Explosive players who jump a lot.
A premium indoor shoe with responsive cushioning, popular with badminton players.
Wave Fang
Advanced · Professional
- Focus
- Wide fit options, stability
Best for: Players with wider feet.
Mizuno's badminton line, known for comfortable, wider fits.
Tips
- Keep court shoes for indoors only.
- Replace when the sole is smooth or the cushioning feels flat (often every 6–12 months of regular play).
- Wear the socks you play in when trying shoes on.
Other guides: Badminton rackets · Shuttlecocks · Strings & tension · Grips & overgrips · Bags & accessories
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