DinkALot's Shoe & Insole Review

**DinkAlot** · 04-14-2012, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by BadBoy087

in other words,it must come with polysorb total support insoles,otherwise it will just as common as another. am i right sir panda? is 9000ace standard insole not perform well sir?

The Victor 8000, 8500, 8600 and 9000 are all first-rate badminton shoes with a stock insole.
Couple them with the proper aftermarket insole and they are best in-class (in this case Spenco Polysorb Total Support).

1) The heaviest but most comfortable and most cushioned is the 8000.
It's best for heavier players and/or players with wide feet.

2) The best overall combination is the 9000.

3) The 8500 and 8600 are for normal feet.

**Tactim** · 04-14-2012, 08:24 PM

I currently am using the VT-7000 Victor shoes, and those were pretty narrow for my feet I had to wear them around the house to make them stretch enough before I used them for badminton. Granted I do wear ankle supports so that also increases the width of my feet. I'm not sure if you've tried them but is the 8000 wider than the 7000? My shoe size is 10.5 in U.S. size

**DinkAlot** · 04-14-2012, 08:57 PM

Never tried the 7000. The 8000 is the widest badminton shoe I have tried. It's for sure wider than the 7000.

Victor no longer makes the 8000 width because it was too wide for most people.

Originally Posted by Tactim

I currently am using the VT-7000 Victor shoes, and those were pretty narrow for my feet I had to wear them around the house to make them stretch enough before I used them for badminton. Granted I do wear ankle supports so that also increases the width of my feet. I'm not sure if you've tried them but is the 8000 wider than the 7000? My shoe size is 10.5 in U.S. size

**BlueTornado** · 04-15-2012, 08:43 PM

I was about to buy a set of the Spenco's online until I realized that I already had a pair of them sitting in my running shoes! I just stuck them into my SHB-101's and will try them out on court tomorrow, but I can already feel that it's going to be good.

**p_ja_p** · 04-18-2012, 04:30 AM

Hi DinkAlot the panda,

Have you tried Li-ning shoes? the new Hero model looks very good. Any thoughts on them or other models?
Or Any BCers have tried please share your thoughts

Thanks a bunch

**moomoo** · 04-19-2012, 04:42 AM

oh yeah, any recommendation on mid cut shoes? thanks.

**BlueTornado** · 04-29-2012, 12:10 AM

Been playing with my SHB-101's with the Polysorb insoles since I last posted about it, and the shoe performance is way better. Another recommendation for those.

**visor** · 06-25-2012, 01:50 AM

Just got a pair of these Spenco Total Support insoles... very nice and cushiony, but still not so pillowy that it slows down my footwork. For my flat feet, the arch support could be a tad more rigid.

But I guess I'll have to try the upcoming Total Support Max available July 1... suppposed to have a more rigid arch support that I'm looking for.

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**DinkAlot** · 07-01-2012, 03:24 AM

Thanks for the info Visor, ordering the new one now.

**Polaroid** · 07-01-2012, 04:26 AM

Lol dang it, I just got the Total Support Orginal two days ago, Oh well :P its still good. the best insole I have so far

**DinkAlot** · 07-01-2012, 04:46 AM

Panda is actually going with the Total Support Thin because the shoes are a bit small. OK, Panda's getting both the THIN and MAX...

http://www.spenco.com/blog/?p=610

Originally Posted by Polaroid

Lol dang it, I just got the Total Support Orginal two days ago, Oh well :P its still good. the best insole I have so far

**cschun86** · 07-01-2012, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by DinkAlot

Panda is actually going with the Total Support Thin because the shoes are a bit small. OK, Panda's getting both the THIN and MAX...

http://www.spenco.com/blog/?p=610

Panda, remember to give us review on the two new insoles

**Polaroid** · 07-01-2012, 04:50 PM

If I get the 9000ACE, should I use the Thin or Max or even stick with Original?

**DinkAlot** · 07-01-2012, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Polaroid

If I get the 9000ACE, should I use the Thin or Max or even stick with Original?

Panda thinks all should try the original first, if good/ideal, then that's it. If a heavier player (200lbs. or more), try the MAX. Panda should use the MAX but it's probably too thick.

The 9000ACE are already a bit too small for Panda so he needs to try the THIN.

**visor** · 07-01-2012, 05:55 PM

I think the only difference between Max and Original is the type of arch support, rigid vs semi rigid. You can see the difference in the structure of the medial arch EVA layer and the support casing. Thickness of both looks to be the same.

Whereas the Thin is visibly thinner.

It'll be up to Panda to report back to us in the next little while when he gets to compare them.

**visor** · 07-01-2012, 06:02 PM

On another note, reporting back on the Original after 10 hrs of use.

Excellent for hardwood floors. Cushions and supports very well. Better than Sole, Superfeet, or the OEM insoles.

However, on matted floors, the extra cushioning turns out to be too much (if there is such a thing...

) because my split step and footwork gets bogged down just a tad. Not much but enough to noticeably affect response times when playing competitive games.

So, it seems like I'll be using my thin custom orthotics under the OEM insoles from my SC5EX shoes for matted floors, and saving the Spenco's for playing on hardwood floors.

Oh, I should add that I'm 155 lbs, 5ft 6in, with flat feet.