In this section, we will take an opportunity to talk about both grip and traction, because both are equally important when it comes to this sport.

The grip of a design is what allows it to hold on to smooth surfaces, such as an indoor wood court. Depending on the material and pattern of the sole, some designs provide you with an excellent grip which allows you to stand more steadily.

On the other hand, traction describes the kind of friction between the sole and the floor. Slippery footwear can still be seen as having good traction. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is practical or suitable for the sport you are playing.

The floors used when playing badminton are usually completely smooth, making it exceptionally easy for the players to slip. This makes it much harder for them to change directions and will slow them down during crucial moments of the game.

Not only that but in extreme cases slipping or skidding may also cause severe injuries that will prevent a person from playing and cause them to shell out a lot of money at the doctor’s office. Prioritizing grip and traction when looking for a pair of badminton sneakers will prevent these problems before they arise.

When hunting for badminton shoes with a good grip, you must take your conditions into consideration. Different types of materials on the outsole will provide a better grip for different types of indoor courts. Most indoor courts are made of wood, in which case you should opt for a gum rubber sole to keep you steady and prevent slipping.

Another aspect of the sole to look for is the pattern on the bottom. A sole with deeper grooves will generally give you a better grip, while a smoother sole is more likely to slip on the floor. Hexagonal patterns, as seen in certain Yonex designs, are also good at providing grip.

Now, from what little we mentioned of traction, you may be wondering: “How could traction ever be practical?”

The truth is, good traction will allow you to move around more easily. To get from one end of the court to another, you’ll need to move fairly quickly – and that can’t happen if your sneakers are gripping so firmly to the floor that it’s slowing you down. More traction will give you more fluidity in your movements.

With all that said, both grip and traction are extremely important when playing any kind of sports on an indoor court. A balance of these two features is what you should look out for, as it would provide mobility while still keeping you steady.

Ventilation or breathability is important in badminton shoes because of many different reasons. Good air-exchange will reduce the amount of bad smells accumulating in a design, as well as keep your feet comfortable by preventing them from sweating too much. Not only that, but breathability can also save you from getting unpleasant foot conditions.

By wearing footwear with bad ventilation for long periods, you run the risk of getting athlete’s foot – or tinea pedis. Simply put, a fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments will spread around the toes or the soles of the feet. Some symptoms include itching, burning, blistering, and discoloration. On top of that, this fungus is contagious and could even spread to other parts of your body.

Thankfully, all of this can be avoided by choosing the right footwear with proper ventilation. In the olden days, manufacturers used to put holes on the sides of their designs to provide air-exchange. Nowadays, the upper part of a shoe (unsurprisingly known as the ‘upper’) is made of mesh to provide maximum breathability. This material in the upper is ideal for indoor sports of all kind.

You should also consider the material of the sneaker lining. Some manufacturers use antibacterial sock liners, which help prevent infections. A lining made of goat or sheepskin will provide better ventilation while a lining made of bovine leather will trap moisture in.

It may be a good idea to search up the materials that were used in the construction of a design that you like before purchasing it.

Overall, breathable footwear is important to keep you comfortable, healthy, and smelling good.

While traction and grip are one of the key features of a good design for badminton shoes, it is also important to ensure that your soles are not so hard and unforgiving that they come in the way of shock absorption. Soft padding on the inside of a design is required to provide good cushioning, which helps absorb the impact that is created when jumping or running.

There are several different types of cushioning, most of which are constructed out of different types of foam.

When your foot touches the ground, a design with good cushioning evenly distributes your weight throughout the bottom of your foot. This way, your toes, arches, and ankles receive a minimal amount of shock that will not cause any harm to your joints. Over time, good cushioning will attenuate the stress on your joints and keep you away from knee and ankle pain.

A springy material is ideal for cushioning in any type of footwear. These are not only soft and energy-absorbent but will also revert back to their original shape after receiving impact. This shape reversal will give you a boost when you take your next step. Not only will you stay protected, but you’ll also be able to perform better.

Short term, cushioning also provides amazing comfort. It ensures that you can focus on the game instead of having to worry about any type of pain in your feet.

However, it’s also important to note that excessive cushioning isn’t always good. Footwear with lots of padding may not be suitable for wide feet, as it often provides a very snug fit. This can make it difficult to find the correct size and can take up a lot of time searching for the perfect pair.

But despite the hassle, it’s worthwhile to make sure you find a design with solid cushioning. This will enable you to jump for smashes, move around quickly, and be on your best performance.

Like we mentioned in our previous sections, this type of footwear needs sufficient cushioning and a good rubber sole. However, you should also keep in mind that these features shouldn’t add up to too much weight.

Footwear that is too heavy will slow you down and make it hard to move with speed and precision. The added weight also puts extra strain on your muscles and joints, causing your feet and legs to tire out more easily. This will definitely take a toll on your performance, and you will find that you are not as explosive at playing this lovely sport as you used to be.

So what to look for in a design, if it needs to be lightweight?

Well, first of all, look at the amount and type of material that goes into its construction. Footwear with less fabric and coverage is generally lighter and enables you to move rapidly without feeling any strain in your feet or ankles. In addition, lighter fabrics provide better breathability which, as mentioned above, is crucial for a cool, comfortable experience.

There are options on our list which also have soles that are specially constructed to be light in weight. This is achieved through different technologies and manufacturing techniques that enable a design to retain all of its supportive and shock-absorbing qualities without becoming too heavy and dragging you down as you play.

Keep in mind as you browse that the importance of lightweight designs isn’t simply restricted to badminton. Other activities such as hiking, running and even standing require light footwear that will go easy on your legs and joints and reduce the risk of injuries or sore feet.

All of this certainly means that you should invest a bit more of your time in picking out a functional, light option that will make your feet happy and ache-free at the end of the match.

There’s nothing like a pair of shoes that make you feel as though you’re walking on clouds, and the same applies to the court as well.

Comfort essentially requires a combination of all the features we mentioned above. For example, footwear cannot be comfortable if it doesn’t come with adequate cushioning, or if it weighs two pounds and barely allows you to walk. What you should look for is a balance of all these features - padding, weight, breathability.

However, with that said, the following things should also be considered:

• Size: Size and width can vary between different types of designs as well as different manufacturers and materials used. You should always allow about a 5/8″ space between the end of your toe and the end of the sneaker. Also, keep in mind that footwear which provides a lot of cushioning will have thick padding in its lining. As a result, these designs tend to provide a more narrow fit that is unsuitable for wide feet.
  Also, keep in mind that your feet tend to swell a bit towards the end of the day. Because of this, most people tend to purchase footwear that is too small for them. However, it’s better to have a bit more space than to have to squeeze into tiny models. If you want to be on the safe side, go to the store instead of purchasing online, and wear socks when you try the footwear on.
• Shape: Another factor to consider is the shape of a design. They can be curved, semi-curved, or straight, and it’s important to determine the shape of your foot so that you can find a design that has a similar form. If you’re unsure about the shape of your foot, try stepping onto a surface when barefoot and examining the shape of your footprint. Without the proper design shape, wearing ill-fitting footwear would feel like trying to put a round peg in a square hole.
• Flexibility: Thirdly, you should consider how rigid your footwear is. Wide, flat feet will need a more rigid design that provides more stability. On the other hand, feet with high arches call for more flexibility and cushioning to provide the proper comfort.
  A good way to determine the flexibility of a design is to do the ‘twist test.’ The more it can twist, the more flexibility it provides. Keep in mind, though, that if it is overly flexible, this will interfere with its stability and provide less protection for the ankles, therefore increasing the risk of injury.