Updated 24 Oct 2026
Lighter shoes feel faster round the court. Lightness here comes from each shoe's weight, so it is measured, not claimed.
Speed-first match play for light, fit players. Yonex's lightest shoe: very low and fast with excellent grip, but minimal cushioning. Reviewers recommend it for light players with healthy joints and warn it is tiring for heavy landers.
From £129.99 at Badminton HQ RRP £165
Light competition badminton shoe. Babolat's top badminton shoe, fifth generation, built for speed at 280 g. Michelin rubber, a rocker-shaped dual-density sole and straps for side-to-side hold.
From £72.95 at Badminton HQ RRP £125
Durable entry-level badminton shoe. Babolat's entry badminton shoe, second generation, built for protection and durability while staying light at 285 g in UK 9.
From £41.95 at Badminton HQ RRP £70
Comfortable mid-price badminton shoe. Babolat's comfort-focused mid-range badminton shoe, second generation, at 295 g. Same Michelin sole idea as the Shadow Tour with a softer, more forgiving upper.
From £72.00 at Badminton HQ RRP £90
Cushioned competition shoe, including heavier players. Yonex's new flagship line, with a springy REV foam and graphite midsole that reviewers found softer than older Yonex shoes. It aims to combine cushioning, stability and launch.
From £142.95 at Badminton HQ RRP £175
Maximum cushioning, heavier players. A very cushioned, support-first shoe with a removable drop-in midsole. Reviewers loved the landings but found it bulky, and the smooth midsole surface can let the foot slide.
From £109.99 at Central Sports RRP £179
Stability and protection, heavier players. Yonex's stability flagship: a stiff, snug shoe with a one-piece outsole that keeps the foot planted on hard cuts. Cushioning is firm, so it suits players who want support over softness.
From £103.83 at Central Sports RRP £170
All-round club and match play for confident movers. The fourth 65 Z is Yonex's middle-ground shoe: snug, low and quick, with cushioning focused in the heel. Strong-footed players who want speed will like it; heavy landers may find the forefoot firm.
From £84.10 at Central Sports RRP £165
A budget route into the 65 fit. The cheaper sibling of the 65 Z4, with simpler cushioning, a basic insole and a stitched upper. It keeps the 65 shape and a Radial Blade outsole at roughly half the price.
From £68.95 at Badminton HQ RRP £90
Light, affordable speed shoe. The cheaper Aerus: about 45 g heavier than the Z2 per CK Yew's scale, with plain Power Cushion and a hexagon outsole. A light shoe at a mid price.
From £94.95 at Badminton HQ RRP £120