Apart from the importance of not marking badminton shoes to ensure grip, there are several more distinctions. Many beginners playing badminton or tennis are usually convinced whether badminton shoes are the same as tennis shoes. Since they’re both sports, most people believe that the shoes must be similar. However, that’s not the case as each sport has specialized footwear that meets their specific need. Therefore, you cannot wear tennis shoes to play badminton and vice versa. This article will explain precisely why by pointing out the differences between both sports shoes.
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Differences Between Tennis and Badminton Shows
Badminton shoes are designed for use in badminton games. Tennis and badminton are quite different and feature unique skill sets and styles of play. Therefore, this section will point out some salient differences in the shoes you should put on in the various sports courts.
Shoe Design
Badminton shoes are usually lightweight. Its design makes it versatile on wooden courts because they are created for indoor court surfaces and the game’s unusual movement. On the other hand, tennis shoes are heavier and feature a raised heel. They also come with more cushioning around the heel area. This cushioning helps to support the joint on impact as they run on the court. Such shoe designs will make it hard for a badminton player to bend back when making overhead smashes and clears.
Soles Type
Tennis is a sport you can play on various court surfaces, including clay, hard, or grass courts. Each court has particular shoes that are ideal for the surface. These shoes offer more or fewer grips depending on the court’s surface. This means the tennis shoe sole is usually harder or softer than badminton shoes depending on the game’s court. Alternatively, badminton shoes typically have thinner soles that allow players to lower their gravity center. This feature helps in minimizing injuries you get when you make sudden movements. The importance of not marking badminton shoes is that it provides excellent traction on PU or wooden courts.
Grip Design
Grip patterns vary between badminton and tennis shoes because of the distinctions in their court. Players move in all angles for badminton, so the grip pattern is usually radial. It helps to ensure good grip in all angles that you apply friction. In contrast, tennis shows feature different grip patterns because of the various courts. The soles come with a herringbone pattern that deters the clay from sticking on the shoe for clay courts. It, therefore, provides sufficient grip preventing players from sliding on the clay court when they try to make shots. The shoes come in simple patterns for grass courts that provide incredible grip on the grass. However, you can only use these shoes on grass courts.
Shoe Weight
In terms of weight, badminton shoes are usually lightweight because the sport requires more agility. Therefore, you don’t want heavy shoes that will slow you down. The shoe’s weight is vital for speedy footwork, crucial in badminton games. Alternatively, tennis shoes are heavier because of the cushioning. The raised heels also provide a cushion for your joint on impact. They also work to ensure quick and easy movement for tennis players on the court.
Flexibility of Shoes
Badminton needs shoes that allow players to move their ankles freely to move better. However, the opposite is the case when it comes to tennis shoes. These shoes help to ensure support for players’ ankles. It aims to ensure that players have less movement of their ankles when performing lateral movements. This design helps to avoid injuries in the court.
Play Style
There’s a need for agility in combination with your athletic skills for badminton players who love to attack to make excellent shots. Your badminton shoes should provide a low profile and outstanding responsiveness that can help with speed and agility. You will also require a comfortable fit to ensure that you utilize your power appropriately on the court. If you are playing near the baseline to achieve well-placed shorts, you’ll require shoes that provide stability and support for speedy turns on the game. Your shoes also need to provide sound absorption when you carry out jumps.
In contrast, pushers, aggressive baselines, and serves in tennis usually have different shoes to meet their position. Baseline players need tennis shoes that offer sturdy lateral support. The shoes also need to provide excellent cushioning and durable soles. However, if you’ll be charging the next frequently after serving, you require lightweight shoes that will foster fast movements. The shoes should also offer you more flexibility for your feet, ensuring a durable toecap.
Final Thoughts
These two sports require skills and lots of stamina. However, these sports share different rules, techniques, and different shoes. The needs of the different types of shoes determine which shoe is ideal for each game. You’ll discover that you need different shoes for each court by recognizing your needs. While tennis shoes are typically heavier with a raised heel, not marking badminton shoes is crucial for traction and flexibility on the court. The best shoe ensures a great game, so ensure you don’t use the same shoe for both sports.
Badminton Passion has reviewed the best womens’ and mens’ badminton shoes. Click to our Shoes and Apparel page for our recommendations.