Badminton is an excellent exercise game. Some professional basketball players love to play 30 min to one hour badminton as an exercise. Now the question arises can you use basketball shoes for Badminton? To know the answer, you need to read the article below in which I elaborate on the difference between basketball shoes vs badminton shoes.
Did you ever think about why there are specific shoes or other gear for each sport?
Why?
Every sport has its requirement and quite different from each other. Such as the basketball court and the badminton court are different, their player movement is different, the pressure point of the shoe is different. What is the reason the sports shoe manufacturer has made the specific shoes for each sport?
Basketball Shoes vs Badminton -Factor To Consider In 2023
The main difference between basketball shoes and Badminton shoes is the comfort and lateral traction. Firstly you have to find out the difference between basketball and Badminton and their shoe requirement.
There are some factors to consider for these two sports shoes before using one sports shoe for the other.
Badminton Shoes Features
Basketball Shoes Features
Basketball and Badminton Court Surfaces
Why Basketball Shoe is not Good for Badminton?
Let’s have a dig deep into the above topic.
Badminton Shoes Features
Badminton is a game of jump and quick movement. In basketball, pressure on the shoes or feet is not the same as you have to stretch again and again.
Some primary features are
Traction
Traction is equally crucial for all indoor physical sports.
Badminton shoes must have a soft rubber outsole with a herringbone design. It is effective for traction.
Its zig-zag design gives you support for the forward, backward movement, or sideways movement.
Cushioning
There is lot of jump and movement variation, so there is stress on shoes due to movement and jump. The forefeet area has more stress as compared with other portions.
Ankle Support Design
Ankle support is essential in any quick-moving sport. Good ankle support will protect you from the injury like ankle rollover. High-top badminton support has recommended. Although it is a bit heavy and restricts you from free movement up to a certain extent, you can easily overcome this problem with some extra practice.
Basketball Shoes Features
Basketball is entirely different from Badminton, so their essential features also do not match each other. It is a high-speed game than badmenton. You have to accelerate and suddenly stop and then accelerate your speed. These all movements are to dodge your opponent player to score the point for your team.
Some basic features of basketball shoes are
Traction
Traction majorly relates to the court you are playing, the shoe’s outsole design, and rubber quality. Basketball indoor is very slippery, so you need to have a soft rubber outsole with preferably a herringbone design.
Comfort Or Cushioning
There are three points where you need the cushioning. 1st is a heel, 2nd one is a mid-foot area, and the third is the forefeet area. Basketball is the dunking game, so cushioning is essential whenever you are landing after the jump, the cushioning that absorb your jerk and result in comfort.
Ankle Support Style
There are three styles of basketball shoes when it comes to ankle support.
1st one is a low-top basketball shoe; in this style, the ankle support is minimum, but it gives the freedom to move freely and fast with minimum.
2nd one is the mid-top shoes, most of the player like this style because it has the adequate ankle support with the comparatively higher weight and allows you to move quickly.
3rd one is high-top basketball shoes. The ankle support of the high top is excellent, but the weight is a bit heavier.
Difference Between Basketball Shoes And BadmintonShoes
Features
Basketball Shoes
Badminton Shoes
Design and Structure
High-top or mid-top design for ankle support
Low-top design for agility and quick movements
Cushioning
Thick and responsive cushioning for impact
Moderate cushioning for shock absorption
Outsole
Durable rubber with herringbone pattern
Gum rubber or non-marking sole for indoor courts
Traction
Excellent grip for multidirectional movements
Optimized for quick lateral movements and agility
Support
Extra ankle support and stability
Emphasis on flexibility and agility
Weight
Generally heavier due to added features
Lightweight for quick movements and agility
Breathability
Varies, but often includes breathable materials
Designed for ventilation and airflow
Basketball And Badminton Court Surfaces
The shoe selection primarily depends on which court you are playing because you have to choose the shoes as per the outsole, designed according to the court surface traction factor.
Basketball has played indoor and outdoor. For outdoor basketball, the court has made concrete that why it needs very hard, and outdoor basketball shoes need significantly less support. So its rubber is hard so that it cant wear out quickly.
On the other hand, the basketball court has made with wood or vinyl coating, which is very slippery. For indoor basketball, the shoe outsole must be soft to avoid slippage.
Badminton has usually played indoors as the weight of the shuttle is very light, and the out air disturbs the play. The Badminton court surface has made with PVC or PU coating. This coating is smooth and slippery, so like the basketball shoe, the outsole rubber should be soft to grip the floor properly.
Why Basketball Shoes Is Not Good For Badminton
There are two theories in support of the heading. One section of people said that When you are at the start of any game or a beginner, you do not need to spend extra money, play the game with other sports shoes or running shoes.
Another expert said that sports are nowadays are very competitive. If you want to reach the professional level, then you must use specific sports shoes. Otherwise, it is not possible to attain on a certain level.
In my personal view, the 2nd school of thought has a more strong point so as a final verdict you must wear the basketball shoes for basketball and badminton shoes for the Badminton.
Some features are very common in Basketball shoes and badminton shoes. The reason is quite simple the court in some cases are same 2ndly the directional movement is the same 3rdly the jumping required in both sports and lastly breathable shoes has required in both sports.
Frequently Asked Question
Q-1: Can I use basketball shoes for badminton?
Ans: The requirement of basketball and badminton are shoes quite different because the requirements of both games are different. So if you are a professional player, it is highly recommended to use specific shoes.
Q-2: Are basketball shoes and badminton shoes the same?
Ans: No, Basketball shoes are quite different from badminton shoes because of the game requirement the feature of both shoes are altogether change.
Q-3:Do You Need Special Shoes For Badminton?
Ans: It depends on the game level at which you are playing.
If you are playing at the initial stage for fun then you can use any sports sneakers but if you are a professional player then it is not a good idea because every sports shoe has made with a particular requirement.
