Last updated on March 23rd, 2022 at 01:32 am
Do you have a pair of Yonex badminton shoes? If you play badminton regularly no doubt have a favourite pair of badminton shoes that you wear. There’s a multitude of brands and styles to choose between. Yonex and Victor being just two of the most high profile amongst professional players.
Of course many are sponsored to wear a particular brand / range but that also means they are wearing the latest in footwear technology.
If our favourite player’s choice in footwear is good enough for them why not us right? I’m pretty sure most of us realise no matter how good the badminton shoe it won’t turn a bad player into good one. In fact that goes for any piece of badminton equipment be they rackets or strings.
Are badminton shoes necessary? In short yes they are designed to light to move around the court at speed whilst offering the nescessary grip. They also provide support for the sideways movement that is frequently performed during a game. This helps to reduce the chance of rolling or twisting the ankle.
Table of Contents
Brands & Ranges
With so many different brands and ranges I’m going to simply focus on Yonex badminton shoes in this feature and the professional players that wear certain product lines. I may cover Victor shoes and the badminton players that wear that brand in a future article.
This player information comes from Yonex and is of course subject to change but the players have worn the footwear featured.
Yonex Badminton Shoes: Product Technology Overview
Yonex employs various technologies within its product range. One that currently comes with all shoes in their current line-up is the power cushion system. In fact you will even note it in the various products titles.
What is the Power Cushion System?
Basically the power cushion system design comprises of the three layers on the sole. The top and bottom layers are harder whilst the middle one is soft. This allows it to quickly return to its original shape following a shock load. In turn that shock energy is converted into power that should enable faster and lighter footwork.
Hexagrip Pattern
Another ever present feature other than a round sole is the Hexagrip sole pattern. Its design is said to improve grip whilst also being considerably lighter than standard sole materials.
Lateral Shell
This is designed to prevent sliding occurring at the edge of the sole and therefore reduces power loss whilst increasing footwork response. The actual Lateral Shell is located on the outside of the forefoot.
Toe Assist Shape
Designed to allows the big toe the necessary space whilst moving quickly around the court as well as providing comfort.
Tough Guard IV
The Tough Guard IV is feature only seen on certain ranges such as Power Cushion Aerus 2. The aim of this feature is protect against friction and heat abrasion around the toe area. This technology was specifically designed to help with high speed and unique footwork associated with playing badminton.
TPU Support
The TPU support can only be found on selected ranges. By making the TPU area longer it helps to reinforce the foot during quick lateral play.
Popular Yonex Badminton Shoes Amongst The Pro Players
Which top professional badminton players wear Yonex footwear whilst competing? It seems there are a few shoes that are popular amongst several players, let’s take a look.
Power Cushion 65 Z Mens
Key Features
- Power Cushion +
- P.U. Leather
- ToughBrid Light
- Lateral Shell
- Toe Assit Shape
- Various Colours
Viktor Axelsen & Kento Momota
This one is worn by two of the very best men’s singles players. Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen who’s highest BWF world ranking is number 1 is the first. The other is Japan’s Kento Momota another player to reach the coveted number one ranking.
Power Cushion 03Z Mens
Key Features
- Power Cushion (3 Layer)
- P.U. Leather
- Polyester Mesh
- Durable Skin
- ToughBrid Light
- Hexagrip
- Toe Assist Shape
- TPU Support
Lee Chong Wei
This Yonex badminton shoe is favoured by none other than Malaysian men’s singles player Lee Chong Wei. He was ranked number one for an incredibly 199 consecutive weeks between 21 August 2008 and 14 June 2012.
Power Cushion 03Z Ladies
Key Features
- Power Cushion (3 Layer)
- P.U. Leather
- Polyester Mesh
- Durable Skin
- ToughBrid Light
- Hexagrip
- Toe Assist Shape
- TPU Support
Saina Nehwal
No less than three of the top women’s singles players are listed as wearing the Power Cushion 03Z Ladies shoe. Superstar Saina Nehwal became the first women from India to become world number in 2015. She still competes at the top of the sport regularly ranking in and around the top 10.
Carolina Marin
Next to wear this shoe is Spain’s Carolina Marin. A three time world champion, four time European champion and reigning Olympic from the 2016 Rio Olympics. Oh and she has also ranked at number one in the BWF rankings for much of 2015/16.
However 2019 didn’t start well for Marin as she sustained a serious knee injury. She ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during a final in January against Saina Nehwal. Marin could be out for six months but has vowed to come back even stronger.
Ratchanok Intanon
The third player using the Power Cushion 03Z is Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon. She also happens to have topped the BWF Women’s Singles rankings albeit briefly. She consistently competes for the sports top prizes.
Power Cushion Aerus 2 Mens & Power Cushion Aerus 2 Ladies
Key Features
- Power Cushion (3 Layer)
- P.U. Leather
- Polyester Mesh
- Durable Skin Light
- Hyper msLite
- Hexagrip
- Tough Guard IV
- Toe Assit Shape
Chris & Gabrielle Adcock
Mixed double pair Chris and Gabrielle Adcock both wear the Power Cushion Aerus 2 shoe. The Adcock’s are England’s top ranking badminton players. The couple married in 2013 and went on to take gold at 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Final Thoughts On Yonex Badminton Shoes
There are many good brands and ranges to choose from all claiming unique technology. Its human nature to gravitate to the equipment used by our sporting heroes. Let’s be quite clear top sportsman and women are going to choose from the best products. The footwear that best suits their style of play. The same should go for the average player too.
Finding comfortable footwear that aids in agility is an important factor to consider. That said it’s more than likely that product will indeed be one used by one of our sporting idols. Therefore our choices will more than likely come from a brand like Yonex or Victor.
This is not a review of individual Yonex badminton shoes. I don’t have all of product line-up. What I can say is Yonex do indeed produce top quality footwear perfect for the average player.
Where To Purchase
I’ve added Amazon links for each of the listed Yonex badminton shoes. One thing I strongly recommend when purchasing is to ensure you the seller is an official stockists to avoid counterfeit Yonex badminton equipment.
There many of brands who’s shoes I’d have no problem recommending. You don’t need to spend a fortune to get footwear but stay clear of really cheap Yonex shoes they are sure to be fake. That is unless it’s from an official stockist or reputable seller that may simply be clearing old stock.
Which Badminton Shoes Do You Own?
Let me know in the comments what brand and type of badminton footwear you wear whilst playing. Are you swayed by your favourite player’s choices?
Note: The Amazon, Badminton Bay & Sweatband links on this page are affiliate / associate links. By buying through the links we may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price you pay.
Images featured from Yonex.co.uk
