DinkALot's Shoe & Insole Review

Hi Mr.
I can't decide which ones will be my new badminton shoes. I'm looking for some breathable well-cushioned and stable shoes. I love the SHB 02M fit, my last shoes, but those weren't breathable enough. The new power cushion 03Z seems that has the same fit with more breathable mesh and ventilated sole. What do you think about these shoes.
I really like the last babolat shadow tour 4 too, I like the design and I have seen that they has a lot of mesh and ventilated sole too.
Which of these would you preffer? Is the babolat more cushioned than first version? Will my 'under ankle' socks eaten by the booty feature of the yonex?
Finally do you know if the sizing of these shoes are similar?
Thanks if you can help me and thanks if not for trying ;)
 
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CitizenErased said:
Hi Mr.
I can't decide which ones will be my new badminton shoes. I'm looking for some breathable well-cushioned and stable shoes. I love the SHB 02M fit, my last shoes, but those weren't breathable enough. The new power cushion 03Z seems that has the same fit with more breathable mesh and ventilated sole. What do you think about these shoes.
I really like the last babolat shadow tour 4 too, I like the design and I have seen that they has a lot of mesh and ventilated sole too.
Which of these would you preffer? Is the babolat more cushioned than first version? Will my 'under ankle' socks eaten by the booty feature of the yonex?
Finally do you know if the sizing of these shoes are similar?
Thanks if you can help me and thanks if not for trying ;)
Click to expand...

I had the SHB02LTD and just got the SHB03Z. The fit is not remotely close, and the 03Z is considerably roomier and wider all around. Under ankle socks are a bad idea IMO because they chafe easily.
 
With respect to the 02-LTDs, I have found the larger size shoes are significantly wider. Mine were Size: 13.0US.
 
Update: a few new reviews

New Favorite Insole: Powerstep Pinnacle, Blue, Full Length, excellent support, comfort, feel.
https://www.powersteps.com/shop-products/powerstep-insoles/full-support/pinnacle.html

I also tried the Powerstep Pinnacle Maxx, it was too stiff, not good for badminton and returned them for another pair of the blue Pinnacles.

-----------------------------------------

Shoes based on Size: 13.0US
Yonex SHB-01MX (Red/White), very good overall, durability: average, recommended (if you can still find them)
Yonex SHB-02LTD (Bright Red, Lin Dan): good overall, heavy, durability: poor, not recommended
Yonex SHB-02LTD (Purple/Yellow Kento Momota): good, heavy, durability: poor, not recommended

I'm disappointed in the durability of the two pairs of 02-LTDs. They are not durable. The materials used seem durable but the stitching and adhesives used just do not hold. Both ripped on the inside and I have been rotating three pairs of shoes. If I were just to use one pair, I believe the shoe would last no more than 3 months.

Performance: aside from being heavy, all three pairs of shoes grip well and are comfortable, especially when coupled with the Powerstep Pinnacle insoles.
 
@DinkAlot
Do you have fallen arches or flat feet?
You found the Pinnacle Maxx too rigid in the arch support or overall? It's specs says it has max cushioning and max arch support, so it should be better cushioned than the Pinnacle. Perhaps it was the firmer arch support that bothered you?
 
Hi Visor: I have slightly higher than normal arches; a moderate overpronator.

Prior, I have never had any arch support that was too firm for me, not even close. I always go looking for the firmest, most supportive insoles. That's why the Maxx were a big surprise when both my heels started hurting and there was strain in both arches. I went back to the regular blue Pinnacles and they are ideal, no problems at all. Back and forth a few times over 2 weeks and yeah, it was definitely the Maxx being too rigid/stiff/unforgiving. The Maxx do not feel more cushioned either.

A great case and point for the blue Pinnacles, I'm 5'11", 210lbs. with slightly high arches and my friend is 5'5", 105lbs. with flat feet and the Pinnacles are ideal for both of us. My friend is extremely picky about insoles and said these are the best he's ever tried this side of $200+ custom made, specific insoles.
 
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Powerstep Customer Service: I should mention Powerstep has excellent customer service. I ordered 2 pairs of Pinnacle Blues and 1 pair of the Maxx through Amazon Prime. For some reason, I was not able to return the Maxx to Amazon (even though I was eligible) so I called Powerstep and they agreed to exchange the Maxx for the Blues. Powerstep's communication and service was very impressive.
 
Been wearing my Pinnacle Maxx for a day (thanks to Amazon Prime for fast 1 day delivery!)... much more cushiony than Spenco Total Support Max that I've been wearing. A tad bit less arch support. Still... nice and bouncy and great for walking on concrete floors. Will play with it tmrw and report back on how it performs on court.

I got the Maxx instead of the regular because I have pretty bad flat feet and overpronation with nasty bunions, so I need as much arch support as possible.
 
visor said:
Been wearing my Pinnacle Maxx for a day (thanks to Amazon Prime for fast 1 day delivery!)... much more cushiony than Spenco Total Support Max that I've been wearing. A tad bit less arch support. Still... nice and bouncy and great for walking on concrete floors. Will play with it tmrw and report back on how it performs on court.

I got the Maxx instead of the regular because I have pretty bad flat feet and overpronation with nasty bunions, so I need as much arch support as possible.
Click to expand...
Update on the Pinnacle Maxx :

After a few hours walking and playing on them, I can say they have more arch support and cushioning than Spenco Total Support Max. Time will tell how long the cushioning will last. For sufferers of flat feet and fallen arches, they are probably the best orthotic insole this side of custom made ones (which cost 10x as much!)

Having said that though, the best cushioning I've found is still the Spenco Cross Trainer. It has minimal arch support but it is much more noticeably cushiony than even the Pinnacle Maxx, and at half the price! @DinkAlot you should give those a try.
 
Can I have a link to the Yonex SHB-100-LE? I'm trying to Google it and there are no results.

Also a link to the Sole Softec Regular's? I only see Sole Softec Ultra or Sole Softec Response when I search in Google.
 
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visor said:
Update on the Pinnacle Maxx :

After a few hours walking and playing on them, I can say they have more arch support and cushioning than Spenco Total Support Max. Time will tell how long the cushioning will last. For sufferers of flat feet and fallen arches, they are probably the best orthotic insole this side of custom made ones (which cost 10x as much!)

Having said that though, the best cushioning I've found is still the Spenco Cross Trainer. It has minimal arch support but it is much more noticeably cushiony than even the Pinnacle Maxx, and at half the price! @DinkAlot you should give those a try.
Click to expand...

I have some concerns regarding the pinnacle maxx, specifically with how high it makes my feet rest in the shoe.

Even when I removed the regular Yonex insoles they sit slightly higher, has this caused you any issues with your experience with the pinnacle max?

I have flat feet and am considering ordering the regular powerstep pinnacles (blue) simply because it looks like they sit a bit lower, closer to the thickness of a regular yonex insole but with arch support.

What are your thoughts?
 
Redmarker said:
I have some concerns regarding the pinnacle maxx, specifically with how high it makes my feet rest in the shoe.

Even when I removed the regular Yonex insoles they sit slightly higher, has this caused you any issues with your experience with the pinnacle max?

I have flat feet and am considering ordering the regular powerstep pinnacles (blue) simply because it looks like they sit a bit lower, closer to the thickness of a regular yonex insole but with arch support.

What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Yes, the heel does sit perhaps 3-4 mm higher. But not enough for the heel to slip off the back of the shoe. Haven't had any danger of ankle twisting with lateral movements. I just got used to being an eighth of an inch taller.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
 
visor said:
Yes, the heel does sit perhaps 3-4 mm higher. But not enough for the heel to slip off the back of the shoe. Haven't had any danger of ankle twisting with lateral movements. I just got used to being an eighth of an inch taller.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response ☺️

Do you have any experience with the Pinnacle blues and whether those rest a bit lower in the shoe?
 
Yes, the Pinnacle Maxx are a bit higher but they did not adversely affect the performance of my shoes.

This is an interesting point because other lesser quality insoles of similar thickness were prone to cause my ankle to twist while the Maxx did not. This leads me to conclude the Maxx are anatomically optimized for me while the others were not.

If you are concerned about the height, go with the Blues.
 
Redmarker said:
Thanks for your response

Do you have any experience with the Pinnacle blues and whether those rest a bit lower in the shoe?
Click to expand...
Yes, the blues are very close to oem insoles thickness and are 1-2mm lower than Maxx. But blues don't have as much arch support if that is an important factor to you.

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk
 
Do you guys have any recommendations for a new pair of shoes? How do you guys find the Yonex Power Cushion 65ZM 2's? Are they generally better than any Mizuno shoes? I'm in Japan now and can buy directly from shuttle house so I don't want to miss the opportunity.
 
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