Some friends and myself enjoyed badminton years ago during a college elective class. We have recently set up a net outside and want some decent, but not very expensive rackets and shuttles. The equipment we have now is the Walmart type, with the shuttles getting stuck in the strings.

Can someone recommend a good racket and shuttle to use for our backyard fun.

Thanks!

Well Yonex does carry the non-expensive rackets. I have seen them in the Blue Navy store if it's in your area. Try to get Yonex birds too.

What price range, per racquet, are you considering? Do you see yourself picking the sport up in a local league and playing somewhat seriously or are you most likely to just play it casually in the backyard during summer?

If you plan to play indoors on a regular basis, you should try to get all graphite racquets and not skimp too much on price or you will end up with something that will be dissatisfying very quickly. If you live near a Sports Authority store, they carry Pro-Kennex racquets for about US $40 that are decent beginners racquets. You could also try several of the retailers listed on the badmintoncentral.com home page under Equipment Retailers - I think ASBY had older Prince graphite racquets on clearance for $25 w/o case, which is probably about 60-70% off retail. Other decent beginners racquets to consider are the Yonex Carbonex 8200/8300/8400, which are essentially the same racquet with different color schemes from different model years. You should be able to pick one up for $40-55.
Don't bother with the Yonex Iso/Isometric 50 and 60 models, which are common beginners racquets - for the same or a bit more money you can buy one of the other racquets I mentioned which are much better.

If you are going to keep your playing pretty recreational, you should try to pick up one of the cheaper Yonex, Carlton or Pro-Kennex steel shafted racquets. Be sure that the racquet has an aluminum head, rather than the much heavier steel heads. You should be able to find one of these for between $10-18 at any large, local sporting goods store.

As Matt states, go with a decent shuttle. It's worth it to shell out the extra bucks to get a better shuttlecock. Yonex Mavis shuttles, particularly the 300 and 350, are probably the best, but Carlton and Pro-Kennex also make decent nylon shuttlecocks. If you inquire at one of the badminton mail order retailers, they may have outdoor shuttles, which will hold up better in a breeze. Prices will probably run $6 to $9 per tube of six shuttles.

Welcome to the sport and good luck with your purchases.

dan where do u live? if u live in canada and specifically toronto, i have techno from sport check! its a steel racquet, around 105g. i'll sell it for 10CDN heh

10 CDN hmm! I wonder if my dad's old Cab 8 metal racket is worth that lol!