Answer For: " Do Badminton Shoes Make A Difference?"

Update on my Yonex Power Cushion 65ZM II's. The hole in the bottom of the shoe that is supposed to allow in air to keep the bottom of your feet dry doesn't do squat for me. It is covered over by the insert. My feet have never been this wet before, and my shoes already stink. I've tried putting them in the freezer, covering them in baking soda, and leaving them out in the sun. They still stink. Anyone else have remedies for stinky shoes?
I had the same problem. I've tried the freezer, baking soda, antibacterial spray, etc. Nothing works. Nowadays I simply put my shoes in the washing machine with my other clothes. People will tell you not to do this because it will ruin the shoes but I've done it many times for months and my sport shoes are still fine despite being worn 4-5 times a week. Just make sure it's on cold water setting and air dry them with a fan.
 
I was using a pair of shoes specifically designed for the sport of Tennis, one of their best, the Nike Air Vapor Ace. I got them originally for Pickleball, and did slightly hurt my ankle once while playing with them, but have been using them for about 6 months now for badminton. Lately, the outside of my feet started to ache and my ankles felt like they were getting ready to sprain if I moved the wrong way. I have had about 4-6 major ankle sprains in my life, and I know when something is wrong.

So I started asking the same question everyone else does who doesn't have badminton-specific shoes. I spent a lot of hours doing research on the internet about different shoes, and for me it boiled down to the Yonex Eclipsion Z, Power Cushion 65ZM 2, Victor A920, A960 and P9300. I am a fanatic about having light shoes because I believe that the heavier they are, the more weight you have to move around and the sooner you will fatigue and start to hit out-of-position shots. I REALLY wanted the Yones Aerus 3's since I weighed a pair at only 270 grams per shoe, but read over and over again about how they have little comfort and support, qualities I definitely want and need.

So, I bought a pair of Yonex Power Cushion 65ZM 2's. For size 8.5 US they weigh 607 grams for the pair, 303.5 grams per shoe, only 12.5 grams more per shoe than my Nike's, 33 grams more than Aerus 3's. And boy, do they make a difference. They are much more comfortable, have better grip, and feel more stable when I'm making extreme maneuvers. My ankles and the sides of my feet don't hurt anymore. They really excel at moving straight backwards because of the curved heel. The 90 degree heel angle of regular shoes can cause you to trip or not move smoothly if you dig in right on the edge.

Overall, there is a significant difference between these shoes and my old Nike's. Play-mates comment that I'm moving faster than before, and smoother. I'm getting to even more of those shots other people would give up on, the kind that people watching see and go "uuuuuuhhh", or politely clap or bang their rackets.

If you need new shoes, I highly suggest these for their light weight, comfort, stability and grip. My doubles partner just bought some Comfort Z's, and hates them because he was used to the low weight of his Aerus 3's, but he hates them now too because they hurt his feet (the 3's). Mine aren't that much heavier, but have all of the other bonus's the 3's don't have, which I think is well worth the trade-off.

So, do real badminton shoes make a difference? Absolutely, without a doubt, hell yes!
Why not the Eclipsion Z?
 
Update on my Yonex Power Cushion 65ZM II's. The hole in the bottom of the shoe that is supposed to allow in air to keep the bottom of your feet dry doesn't do squat for me. It is covered over by the insert. My feet have never been this wet before, and my shoes already stink. I've tried putting them in the freezer, covering them in baking soda, and leaving them out in the sun. They still stink. Anyone else have remedies for stinky shoes?
Shoes start stinking when u have moisture inside and dried with the same bad smell!! Soak the shoe in soap water (washing machine liquid soap) for about an hour or 2, then wash by hands. Try to drip all the water by continuous whipping, Use a hair dryer and blow the holes and air vents. Finally keep it in a shadow and dry it.. see the results and let me know..

Do not quick dry in SUN and do not use hair dryer for long time on shoe.. hair dryer is used to just blow dry air for air vents only.


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Thanks for that suggestion. Right now my shoes are stuffed with newspaper per the previous suggestion. We'll see how that goes. I'm told Odor Eaters spray works, but I already tried Lotrimin powder spray with no luck.
 
Thanks for that suggestion. Right now my shoes are stuffed with newspaper per the previous suggestion. We'll see how that goes. I'm told Odor Eaters spray works, but I already tried Lotrimin powder spray with no luck.
Try to put few silcon pads inside.. those are the ones which u get with new shoes.. even if u don’t mind to spend money try to get charcoal bags and insert inside a day and see


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Thanks for that suggestion. Right now my shoes are stuffed with newspaper per the previous suggestion. We'll see how that goes. I'm told Odor Eaters spray works, but I already tried Lotrimin powder spray with no luck.
Also remember to cover it up with newspaper too for max effect. Good luck
 
Agree with @BalajiSethuraman Charcoal bags are recommended online. Newspaper works too but it is hard to get newspaper, now everything online. So for my Asics Court Control FF, I usually use a towel and put it under the sun for about 30mins for the sun to kill the germs. Dont put it out too long as it will spoil the glue in the sole
 
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