Purchased in Taiwan. The biggest is size Victor offers in the 9000s = 11.5 US which are only a 1/4" shorter in length than my Size: 13.0 US Asic Tigers and Mizuno running shoes. So the Victor 11.5 is more like a 12.25 - 12.5US.
hi Sir Panda Just wanted to confirm if Victor SH 9000 Ace is better than Yonex SHB 101,102 series.. Please confirm.. Planning to buy whichever you suggest
Panda has not tried the Yonex 102s and F1s and does not plan to. The last Yonex shoes tried were the 101-MX, 101-LTD and SC-3MX. The Victor 9000 ACE coupled with the recently name changed Spenco Total Support* insole in either: THIN (minimal support), ORIGINAL (excellent support) or MAX (maximum support) is the best badminton shoe/insole combination this Panda has tried. *Original name was Spenco Polysorb Total Support but that was very confusing because there were gel versions of this which is not the recommended insole. Spenco was wise to change the name to just Total Support and added three versions. There used to only be one version, which is the current MEDIUM. The correct insole is here: http://www.spenco.com/products/footcare/total-support-insoles On insole, use: THIN: if you are lighter and/or want a softer feel. MEDIUM: what Panda would recommend for most people. Excellent support without being too stiff. MAX: for heavy players and/or players who need maximum support. Panda really cannot see the 9000 ACE being improved upon much. It's at or at least near the pinnacle for badminton shoe performance. Case and point: when you intially wear the 9000 ACE with Polysorb Total Support you will think it's good to excellent to even bestest. After a few weeks and you truly get used to it you will think it's really good. You probably won't think it's the best but you won't be able to find any flaws... ...then if you go back to just about any badminton shoe/insole combo you have tried in the past, you will realize how great the 9000 ACE with Polysorb is. Disclaimer: Panda is not a shoe expert though he did do extensive research on running (tennis, and volleyball) shoes and was going to go into the athletic shoe business. And as with any recommendation, your mileage may vary due to all the different variables.
Off topic, but what do you recommend as the best volleyball shoe? So far I've just been wearing my SHB-101's with Total Support
Volleyball: Asics Tiger and Mizuno. Personally have the Mizuno Wave Tornado and Lighting. Though badminton shoes work, Panda thinks volleyball specific shoes are better for volleyball because they have more cushioning and also sit higher so they give you a ~0.5" height advantage. ---------------------------- Also, quite a few have contacted Panda regarding running shoes recommendations. Before the purchase, the most important thing is to know your pronation (or some say gait). It's either neutral, overpronation or underpronation (supination). Any professional running shoe store, podiatrist or shoe specialist can watch you walk/run and determine your gait. Knowing your pronation is more important than the shoe purchase itself. If you purchase the wrong type of shoe, you can seriously injure yourself. Once you know you're ready for shoes... ...as long as you have the right type of shoe, there's really no bad shoe. All the top running shoes in their respective pronation category will be sufficient. It will be just a matter of personal preference. Panda's recommendations: Panda's a long-time Asics Tiger fan and goes first and foremost with Asics. He personally wears the Gel Kinsei and Gel Nimbus and Gel Kayano... ...but...any of the shoes below are excellent as well : Brooks, New Balance, Adidas, Saucony, Mizuno, and Puma. Nike? Hmmmm, not into the Air Max or (especially) Shox. The Air Pegasus and Bowerman Series (if they still produce it) and are/were good.
Speaking of the Total Support orthotics series, any of you (Dink, BlueTornado) find that the top surface material is too smooth and slippery? I find the rough waved surface of the Yonex oem insoles in the SHB200 and SC5EX much better at keeping my feet from sliding around inside my shoes. If Spenco can address this problem then it'll be perfect!
I'm with Panda. I actually hated the OEm yonex insoles for its lack of arch support. These are much better and I've never had a problem with my foot sliding around inside.
Hmmm... they are the right size. The seller must've accidentally spilled some WD40 onto my shoes before shipping to me.
Hm, not for me either. I have both Thin and Original. Okay then, Mizuno it is. I figured you might know some hidden shoe that was better, but I guess everyone wears the Lightning or Tornado for a reason.
If Panda were to get volleyball shoes now, he'd probably go for the Asics Tiger Gel Volley Elite or Gel Sensei. They have better cushioning and probably the best heel cup design; but cost $130-$140. But bang-for-the-buck, there are lots of discontinued Mizuno's for $70-$80/pair. For instance, Panda's Wave Tornado 5 FTW!
Thanks Dink, those Asics both look nice and with my handy-dandy Amazon.com gift card, the price is pretty good too! What are the differences between the Elite and the Sensei? Oh and any advice on Asics sizing relative to other brands? I wear 11 US Mens for SHB-101's.
The Sensei is the top-of-the-line. The Elite is probably only missing one "attribute". I personally think the Elite is better looking and would go with those. Sizing is true. If you wear Yonex 11 in SHB101, the Asics 11.0 should be comparable.
AHAR®Acronym for ASICS® High Abrasion Rubber. Placed in critical areas of the outsole for exceptional durability. Fit®Stretch material strategically placed on the upper helps to reduce buckling and the potential for irritation.DuoMax® Support SystemA sport-specific dual-density midsole system positioned to enhance support and stability.Regional colour differences again. Our local versions of Elite and Sensei: