Badminton, a sport where split-second reactions and lightning-fast footwork reign supreme, demands the best badminton shoes to keep up - you don't want your gym trainers holding you back. After all, the world of badminton is fiercely competitive, and having the right shoes can be game-changing.
Just like picking the best pair of running shoes, the right pair of shoes can improve your performance, from lightweight designs that enhance agility to advanced cushioning technologies that absorb shock. And, more importantly, protect your feet during those high-intensity rallies. Moreover, as the badminton community continues to evolve, so do the innovations in footwear technology, creating a shoe market where the best badminton trainers not only enhance performance but also embrace style.
The best badminton shoes, at a glance
• Best overall badminton shoes: Asics Upcourt 5 - View now on Asics
• Best lightweight badminton shoes: Perfly Men's Badminton Shoes 900 Ultra Lite - View now on Decathlon
• Best badminton shoes made with recycled materials: Adidas Ligra 7 Indoor Shoes - View now on Adidas
We're on the hunt for the best badminton shoes, and here are some of the top contenders that strike the perfect balance between comfort, durability and court-specific features.
SHOP: Our pick of the best badminton shoes
Best overall badminton shoes
www.asics.com
The Asics Upcourt 5 is a pair of badminton shoes that aren't just designed for the court. They're designed for victory. Asics, a brand name synonymous with athletic excellence, brings its A-game with its Upcourt 5's, delivering a mixture of style, performance and comfort. These badminton beauties boast a non-marking rubber gum outsole, ensuring traction for those lightning-fast movements. So, lace up, unleash your inner shuttlecock samurai, and let these shoes elevate your rallies to legendary status.
Pros
- Breathable mesh underlays with supportive midfoot panels
- Durable toe and heel counter
- Simplistic but aesthetic design
Cons
- Not the best grip
| Sizes | UK 5-11.5 |
| Colours | White/Denim blue, White/Safety yellow |
| Material | Unknown |
| Weight | 320g |
- Customer review: "The Asics Upcourt 5 shoes are very comfortable. I wear them to play badminton and they are excellent."
Best lightweight badminton shoes
www.decathlon.co.uk
The Perfly Men's Badminton Shoes in striking blue and white hues are more than just eye-catching. Crafted for badminton pros, these shoes are designed with peak performance in mind. The ultra-lightweight 3D mesh construction ensures swift movements and agile footwork, giving you a competitive edge during intense rallies. The shoe's grippy sole also helps to provide optimal traction, easily facilitating quick changes in direction with confidence. Furthermore, with a focus on comfort, the DHN system and SCF technology help to absorb shock and reduce the impact on your feet and joints.
Pros
- 3D mesh reduces weight and makes you feel light and comfortable
- DHN system places at the lateral heel area to reduce impact after landing
- SCF technology provides shock absorption and a rebound effect
Cons
- Only available in one colour
| Sizes | UK 5.5-11 |
| Colours | Available in one colour only, Blue |
| Material | Polyester, Polyurethane |
| Weight | 600g |
- Customer review: "Used these Perfly shoes for the first time two days ago for pickleball and they work beautifully. The shoe conforms to your feet and I can move, cut, and stop well with these on. They're a great shoe on the court and very stylish as well. Would definitely recommend them for players looking to play at a high level."
Best badminton shoes made with recycled materials
www.adidas.co.uk
Adidas have designed these sleek shoes so you can concentrate on improving your performance on the court. The breathable mesh upper ensures optimal ventilation (the last thing you want is soggy feet), while the EVA midsole offers comfort. All while allowing you to make quick cuts and agile movements confidently (and even better, with speed). The best part about the Adidas Ligra 7's is that they're made with a series of recycled materials, with an upper crafted from at least 50% recycled content. Do something good for the planet? Tick. Bagged yourself a great pair of shoes? Another tick.
Pros
- Non-marking Adiwear outsole with 360-degree grip pattern
- Upper contains a minimum of 50% recycled content
- Abrasion-resistant synthetic leather toe
Cons
- May come up a little small
| Sizes | 3.5-12.5 |
| Colours | Core black, Cloud white, Core Black |
| Materials | Series of recycled materials |
| Weight | Unknown |
- Customer review: "The Adidas Ligra's are good for indoor sports like badminton. They're super comfortable and looks amazing with any outfit."
Best wide fit badminton trainers
Step into your next badminton game with confidence with the Fitville Men's Extra Wide Fit Trainers. With a focus on stability, these shoes feature dual-density EVA and anti-torsion TPU. In case we hadn't added enough three-letter abbreviations in, FYI, that basically means your shoes will absorb all the shock from leaps and quick movements to provide you with a solid and reliable base. That's also where the Ortholite insole comes in, to increase stability again and facilitate natural foot motion.
Pros
- Dual density EVA and anti-torsion TPU features provide durability and stability
- Ortholite insole facilitate natural foot motion for shock absorption
- Breathable upper so your feet remain cool and dry
Cons
- Fitville shoes are primarily designed for wide feet, so if this isn't you it might be a better idea to go for a more narrow shoe on our list
| Sizes | UK 7-11.5 |
| Colours | White, Blue, All black |
| Material | Synthetic |
| Weight | Unknown |
- Customer review: "The mesh upper material of the Fitville trainers makes the shoe very breathable. The wide toe box makes my feet very comfortable. Highly recommend!"
Best black badminton shoes
www.sportsdirect.com
Designed to cater to the needs of indoor sports, the Asics Gel Rocket 11 Shoes provides unparalleled cushioning, impact absorption and stability. All in a chic black colour because we know that garishly-coloured designs aren't everyone's cup of tea. With the TPU TRUSSTIC system technology in place, you'll never have to worry about spraining your ankle again. That's because this clever little addition minimises the weight of the sole unit without compromising on structural integrity.
Pros
- Available in plain black, no garish colours like many other badminton shoes
- Multi-purpose indoor court shoe so you can use it for a range of sports
- TPU TRUSSTIC application in the midsole to prevent over-twisting or rolling an ankle
Cons
- Heel is a little soft
| Sizes | UK 6-12 |
| Colours | Black/Gun |
| Material | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
- Customer review: "The Asics Gel Rocket 11's are good quality indoor court shoes. My last pair lasted over a year, so high hopes from this one too - so far it satisfies all my requirements."
Best budget badminton shoes
www.sportsdirect.com
For those new to badminton or on a budget, the Slazenger Trainers make a great starter shoe. The breathable mesh upper ensures good ventilation, meanwhile, the padded ankle collar and cushioned insole provide support. The non-marking sole is also great for indoor courts, ensuring reliable traction without leaving unwanted marks. And for under £30? It's a deal difficult to say no to.
Pros
- Perforated mesh upper for ventilation
- Synthetic overlays so you can wear your shoes game after game
- Rubber and textured sole provides good traction
Cons
- May come up slightly small - you might need to size up by half or one shoe size
| Sizes | UK 6-13 |
| Colours | White/Black, Black/Blue |
| Material | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
- Customer review: "Have ordered the same Slazenger shoes three times now. Good fit; good looks & comfortable. Best to shorten the laces and ignore the top lace holes - they then slip on easily."
Best badminton shoes for push-off power
www.adidas.co.uk
Designed for indoor sports enthusiasts, the Speedcourt Indoor Shoes feature a sleek and dynamic design that effortlessly blends functionality with a chunky, on-trend look. The lightweight textile upper ensures your feet feel comfortable throughout the game, allowing you to make swift movements and powerful push-offs, without fear of a blister. With a non-marking rubber outsole, these shoes offer great traction for quick cuts and sudden bursts of speed.
Pros
- Lightweight textile upper to keep your feet comfortable throughout
- Rubber outsole for added grip
- Features at least 20% recycled materials for the environmentally conscious badminton enthusiast
Cons
- Only available in two colours: black and white
| Sizes | UK 5-13 |
| Colours | White, Black |
| Material | 20% recycled content |
| Weight | Unknown |
Best badminton shoes for beginners
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
The Yonex Mens Power Crush 37 Trainers cater to entry-level badminton players seeking and comfortable and reliable option for their training sessions. Featuring an expanded toe box for a roomier fit (great for people with wide feet, not so great for those with narrow feet), these shoes prioritise comfort and performance. The Power Cushion technology in the underfoot is also there to make sure you're not easily injured - with added shock absorption and responsiveness.
Pros
- Non-marking rubber outsole
- Double russel mesh style upper for breathability
- Skin-light material for extra stability and improved fit
Cons
- Features a wide toe box, which isn't suitable for everyone
| Sizes | UK 7-11.5 |
| Colours | Available in blue only |
| Material | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
- Customer review: "The Yonex Mens Power Crush 37 Trainers have amazing cushioning for badminton. Feels comfortable and very shock absorbent."
Best badminton shoes for odour control
www.houseoffraser.co.uk
Engineered with the Anti Glide System and an anti-torsion shank in the midsole, the Carlton Airblade Tour Shoes ensure stability and lasting comfort, game after game. A handy little addition to the shoes is the AEGIs Microbe Shield, which is there to combat odour and bacteria, ensuring your shoes stay fresh wear after wear. Designed with a quality, non-marking outsole with a unique tread pattern, these Carlton trainers provide excellent grip on the court, without scuffing it.
Pros
- Features AEGIs Microbe Shield to fight odours and bacteria, meaning your shoes stay fresh for longer
- Signature Carlton branding
- Anti Glide System is in place for stability
Cons
- May come up small
- Some reviewers found them a little tricky to get on and off
| Sizes | UK 6.5-13 |
| Colours | Available in white only |
| Material | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
- Customer review: "The Carlton Airblade Tour Shoes are really lightweight and are a well-made shoe.
A buyer's guide to the best badminton shoes
Do shoes matter in badminton?
Like any exercise you do, shoes matter, and if you're wearing the wrong shoes, you'll definitely know about it. To begin with, lightweight, agile, purpose-built badminton shoes are specifically made for rapid movements, lightening-quick direction changes - both which are essential to the sport. The specialised soles often found on badminton shoes are also their for your benefit - to provide you with a precise push off.
Beyond their performance, the right pair of badminton shoes will offer you crucial ankle support, helping to minimise any risks during intense rallies.
So, it's definitely not a case of 'do shoes matter in badminton.' In badminton every step matters, and the right shoes can be the difference between a victory and a missed opportunity.
Why are black soled shoes not allowed for badminton?
Black, or dark soled shoes are not recommended for badminton because, in short, they mark indoor courts. Unlike gum or white soles, black soles tend to have the unfortunate tendency to leave scuff marks on the pristine playing surface. If you played badminton in black soled shoes you'd have yourself a piece of modern art on the court by the end of the game. These marks may not only distract players, but they can also affect the game by creating uneven surfaces.
Essentially, banning black soled shoes in the world of badminton is their way of saying, the artistry should be in your shots, not in your shoes.
While those sleek black trainers might be suitable off the court, in badminton it's all about keeping the game clean, fair, and free from accidental art installations.
Are tennis shoes okay for badminton?
There are some similarities between tennis shoes and badminton shoes, but, they're not exactly cut from the same cloth - or sole, for that matter. Tennis shoes are mainly designed for lateral movements and durability on hard courts (i.e. grass or tarmac). Alternatively, badminton (an indoor game) demands lightening-fast footwork and often explosive jumps. Thus, requiring footwear with a lighter design and a superior grip on indoor surfaces.
As a last resort, you could wear tennis shoes for badminton (and vice versa), but it would be a bit like bringing a badminton racquet to a tennis court - it might work, but it's not going to deliver the optimal performance. You really need a tennis racquet for a game of tennis. Investing in a pair of badminton shoes will make sure you've got the right tool for the job, and won't have your feet in blisters by the end of the game.
Gemma Lavers is a Health & Fitness writer for What's The Best. From understanding nutrition to practising yoga and Pilates to delving into the psychology of motivation. She enjoys demystifying the latest fitness trends and staying on top of the dynamic health landscape, whether that's the best gym leggings, fitness trackers or the benefits of yoga.
When Gemma’s not writing, she can be found attending Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes. She’s also a bit of a home workout aficionado, constantly trying out new ways to keep her moving at home. Between writing, exercising and shopping, there’s nothing she loves more than hopping on a plane and exploring new cultures.
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