Guides
10 guides
Plain-English guides to choosing and setting up badminton kit: what balance, flex and weight really do, which string and tension, grip size, shoes, and how your game changes the answer.
How to choose a badminton racketThe five things that decide which racket suits you, in the order they matter.2 min readRacket balance: head-heavy, even and head-lightWhat the balance point is, how to measure it, and which balance suits your game.2 min read3U, 4U or 5U: how heavy should your racket be?What the U numbers mean, why most players use 4U, and when to go lighter or heavier.1 min readShaft flex: flexible, medium or stiff?How the shaft's bend changes power and control, and how to match it to your swing.1 min readString tension: how tight should you string your racket?What tension changes, sensible ranges for your level, and the mistakes that cost control and strings.1 min readChoosing a badminton stringThin or thick, repulsion or durability, set or reel: how strings change the feel of a racket.1 min readWhen to restring your badminton racketStrings lose tension long before they break. The signs it's time, and a rule of thumb for how often.1 min readGrip size and overgripsWhat G4 and G5 mean, how to check your size, and how overgrips change the feel.1 min readChoosing badminton shoesWhy running shoes are a bad idea on court, and what to look for in grip, support, cushioning, fit and weight.2 min readSingles, doubles and mixed: does it change your racket?What each discipline asks of a racket, from the back of the court to the net.1 min read