Last updated: August 2026 · Badminton House
Quick answer
Use $80–130 CAD as an illustrative first-pair budget, then compare fit, non-marking status, lateral support and comfort. Price alone does not establish those features or predict how long a shoe will last; the bands below are planning examples, not current quotes.
Choose footwear intended for court movement. Running shoes are designed mainly for forward travel, so check lateral hold and the hall’s footwear requirements instead of assuming an ordinary running pair is suitable.
In this guide
What to Buy at Each Budget
Canadian prices, frame of reference for a beginner. Availability moves constantly, so treat these as bands rather than quotes.
| Budget | Look at | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| $70–100 | Asics Upcourt 6, entry Yonex and Victor court shoes | Check the exact model’s outsole, heel hold and comfort; entry-level does not mean one fixed weight or feel. |
| $100–140 | Yonex Power Cushion mid-range, Babolat Shadow Tour 5, Li-Ning mid-tier | A useful comparison tier for cushioning, lateral hold and fit; higher cost does not guarantee longer life. |
| $150–200 | Yonex 65 Z-series and equivalent | Compare the specific design and fit; competition positioning does not make a model better for every beginner. |
A practical beginner approach: set a budget, try suitable court shoes and leave room for shuttles and court time. Pay for a fit or feature you can identify rather than assuming a higher price improves your play.
Model generations can differ in fit, upper construction and cushioning. An older version may be good value, but compare that exact pair rather than assuming it is the same shoe as the current version.
Sizing and Width: The Part Most Guides Skip
More first pairs are ruined by fit than by choosing the wrong model.
Length
Leave room beyond the longest toe without allowing the heel to slide. Measure both feet and follow the exact model’s size guide; do not automatically add half a size to your everyday shoe. The manufacturer’s size charts are a starting point, followed by a movement check in playing socks.
Width
Fit varies by model and width option. If the forefoot pinches, look for an explicitly wider version or a different last rather than adding excess length; do not assume an entire brand is narrow or wide.
Three checks before you commit:
- Try them at the end of the day, in the socks you actually play in. Feet swell, and badminton socks are thicker than office socks.
- Do a lunge. Your heel should stay put and your toes should not hit the front. This is the movement that finds a bad fit.
- Push sideways. Your foot should not slide over the edge of the sole. Lateral hold is the whole point of a court shoe.
Sizing conventions differ by brand, and Japanese brands often print centimetres alongside the local size. When in doubt, measure your foot in cm and buy by that rather than by the number on your last pair.
What “Non-Marking” Actually Means
It is not marketing, and most halls will turn you away without it.
A non-marking outsole is designed to avoid leaving rubber marks on the intended court surface. Colour and softness do not prove that property: black outsoles can be non-marking, and a light-coloured sole is not a guarantee. Check the exact model description and the facility’s requirements.
For a pair you already own: find the model’s non-marking specification and check with the hall if it is unclear. A paper test may reveal a streak, but a clean result or fingernail dent does not certify suitability. Our non-marking shoe guide explains the checks.
Grip is a separate consideration: compound, tread, cleanliness and the floor condition all affect traction.
Can You Use Volleyball, Squash or Tennis Shoes?
| Shoe | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Volleyball | Many indoor volleyball shoes can work if they fit securely, support lateral movement and meet the hall’s outsole rules. |
| Squash | Many squash shoes suit similar movements; check the exact pair’s fit, condition and permitted outsole. |
| Indoor court / gym | Usually fine to start. Check the sole is genuinely non-marking; support is often softer than a dedicated badminton shoe. |
| Tennis | Check the exact model: some hard-court tennis shoes are non-marking, though their weight and court feel may differ from badminton shoes. |
| Running | Usually a poor match for badminton’s lateral demands; outsole marking and support depend on the exact model. |
Badminton involves forward, backward and lateral movement, including lunges, split steps and sudden stops. Our guide to badminton footwork basics shows the movements to learn. Assess lateral support separately from floor marking: an ASICS technical brochure, for example, identifies a hard-court tennis outsole as non-marking.
Yonex vs Victor vs Li-Ning vs Asics
| Brand | Fit and character |
|---|---|
| Yonex | Compare the exact Power Cushion model and offered width; fit and Canadian availability vary. |
| Victor | Compare model-specific toe-box shape, heel hold and width options. |
| Li-Ning | Compare the exact last and available sizes; brand alone does not establish width. |
| Asics | Its indoor court range includes models used for badminton; the Upcourt line is one option to try for fit. |
Do not agonise over this. At beginner level, fit beats brand every time. The best shoe is the one that holds your heel and does not pinch.
When to Replace Them
Shoes can lose comfortable cushioning or secure hold before the outsole wears through. Six to twelve months is only a rough planning example for regular play; condition, fit and traction matter more than a calendar deadline.
Replace when:
- The cushioning no longer feels comfortable during familiar movements
- The support feels noticeably different from when the shoe was new; flexibility alone is not a failure test
- The tread pattern is smooth at the ball of the foot and you are slipping on lunges
- The inner heel lining has worn through and your foot is moving inside the shoe
Stop and check repeated slipping: outsole wear, dirt and the floor condition can all contribute.
Common Questions
How much should I spend on my first badminton shoes?
About $80–130 CAD is an illustrative starting budget. Compare the actual fit, support and outsole specification; a higher price does not guarantee a better beginner choice.
Should I size up in badminton shoes?
There is no universal size increase. Measure both feet, use the exact model’s chart and check toe room, heel hold and width in your playing socks.
Can I wear running shoes for badminton?
Running shoes are usually a poor match for badminton’s lateral demands. Check the exact outsole and hall requirements; not every running shoe marks, and shoe type alone does not identify an injury cause.
What does non-marking mean?
An outsole designed not to leave rubber marks on the intended sports floor. Confirm the model information and hall requirements; colour, hardness and a clean paper test are not proof.
Are badminton shoes different from volleyball or squash shoes?
Some volleyball and squash shoes are suitable alternatives, but their fit, cushioning and outsoles vary. Check the exact pair and hall requirements.
I have wide feet. What should I buy?
Look for an explicitly wider version or a different model that fits your forefoot without excess length. Do not assume a brand’s entire range has the same width.
How long do badminton shoes last?
Six months to a year is a rough example, not a replacement rule. Judge fit, cushioning, traction and visible wear, and investigate repeated slipping.
Not sure about fit? Tell us your usual size, foot width and where you play through our contact page, or browse the full collection.
Once your footwear is sorted, the next thing that changes your game is your racket — see our best Yonex rackets in Canada guide.
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