Yonex 65Z vs Aerus vs Eclipsion Shoe Comparison

Last updated: June 2026 · Written by the team at Badminton House

Choosing between the Yonex 65Z, Aerus, and Eclipsion can feel simple until you actually start comparing them. All three are serious badminton shoes, but they are not built for the same player: the 65Z line is the all-around option, Aerus is the lightweight speed choice, and Eclipsion is the stability-first pick for players who want more protection under hard lateral movement.

The decision is even more confusing in Canada now that Yonex has added Subaxia to its elite badminton shoe lineup alongside AERUS, ECLIPSION, and 65. If you are searching Yonex 65Z vs Aerus vs Eclipsion, this guide will help you sort the lines by playing style, foot support needs, cushioning, weight, and real-world buying availability.

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Yonex shoe lines at a glance: 65Z, Aerus, Eclipsion, Subaxia

Yonex’s top badminton shoe lineup is easiest to understand by role: 65Z is the all-around pillar, Aerus is the lightweight speed line, Eclipsion is the stability and protection line, and Subaxia is the newest addition built around explosive take-off and cushioning. If you are comparing Yonex 65Z vs Aerus vs Eclipsion, start with your movement needs first, then fine-tune for fit.

For Canadian shoppers, start with our badminton footwear collection for current CAD availability. Aerus Z2, Eclipsion Z3, and Subaxia GT may require a Canadian specialty retailer or local club pro shop if they are not listed at Badminton House.

Yonex positions Subaxia as the newest addition to its elite badminton shoe lineup alongside AERUS, ECLIPSION, and 65. That matters because Subaxia is not simply a replacement for 65Z, Aerus, or Eclipsion; it adds a fourth lane to the decision: more jump-focused cushioning and take-off response.

The simple rule: choose 65Z4 when you want the safest all-around answer, Aerus Z2 when speed matters most, Eclipsion Z3 when stability and protection are your priority, and Subaxia GT when you want Yonex’s newest high-cushioning, explosive-movement concept.

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Power Cushion 65Z4: the all-around choice

If you want one Yonex badminton shoe that does almost everything well, the Power Cushion 65Z4 is the safest middle ground in this comparison. It is not as stripped-down and speed-focused as the Aerus Z2, and it is not as protective and structured as the Eclipsion Z3. Instead, the 65Z4 sits in the useful centre: enough cushioning for regular club play, enough support for quick lateral movement, and enough flexibility that it does not feel overly rigid on court.

The 2025 65Z4 update combines POWER CUSHION+ for energy return, Feather Bounce Foam to keep the midsole lighter, a Power Graphite Sheet for midfoot stability, and a Radial Blade Sole designed for grip in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal movements. Independent measurements put the 65Z4 at about 325 g per shoe at 28.0 cm, which keeps it clearly lighter than the Eclipsion Z3 while still feeling more substantial than the Aerus Z2.

Why it works for more players

The 65Z4 is the shoe to consider if your game is mixed: some singles, some doubles, some attacking, some defending, and plenty of club-night scrambling. The cushioning helps on jumps and repeated landings, while the graphite support under the midfoot keeps the shoe from feeling too soft when you push off or change direction.

Who should choose the 65Z4?

• All-around club players who want one shoe for doubles, singles, drills, and weekly drop-in play.
• Committed beginners and intermediates who want a serious badminton shoe without going extremely light or extremely stiff.
• Players who jump and lunge often but still want a shoe that feels mobile enough for fast exchanges at the net.
• Canadian buyers comparing value: check the Badminton House product page for the current 65Z4 price, then compare it against the shoe’s higher-end Yonex technologies.

The main reason not to choose the 65Z4 is if you already know you sit at one extreme. If your priority is the lightest possible shoe for speed, the Aerus Z2 is the more specialized option. If your priority is maximum stability, ankle confidence, and protection, the Eclipsion Z3 is the stronger match. For everyone in the middle, the 65Z4 is the practical default.

Fit and availability note for Canada

Badminton House’s 65Z4 listing is the men’s white SHB65Z4M model, but sizes can change. If you are between sizes or unsure how Yonex sizing maps to your usual Canadian shoe size, check the Badminton House size guide before buying. Court shoes should feel secure through the midfoot and heel, with enough toe room that your foot does not jam forward on lunges.

If the 65Z4 is unavailable in your size, start with the Badminton House footwear collection for current Canadian stock, then compare the next sections carefully before chasing a different Yonex line. The best shoe is not always the newest or most expensive one — it is the one that matches how your feet actually move on court.

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Aerus Z2: the lightweight speed option

If the 65Z4 is the balanced Yonex choice, the Aerus Z2 is the speed specialist. It is built for players who want the shoe to disappear underfoot: fast first steps, quick doubles rotations, sharp recovery after the split step, and less bulk during rapid front-court movement.

The headline number is weight. Aerus Z2 is listed at 240 g per shoe in 26 cm sizing, while independent larger-size measurements put it around 271–274.1 g per shoe. That keeps it comfortably inside the under-350 g lightweight benchmark used in badminton shoe guides, and it explains why the model is usually described as the quick, offensive player’s option rather than the most protective option.

Where Aerus Z2 feels strongest

Aerus Z2 makes the most sense for players who are light on their feet and play a fast game: attacking doubles players, front-court interceptors, and singles players who rely on early movement rather than heavy bracing. If your footwork is already efficient, a lighter shoe can make repeated split-step, chasse, and recovery patterns feel less tiring over a long club night.

• Fast doubles: useful for quick side-to-side reactions, front-court pounces, and fast recovery after drives.
• Offensive footwork: a good match for players who value speed and agility more than a locked-down, protective feel.
• Players who dislike bulky shoes: the low-weight construction is the point of the Aerus line.

The trade-off: cushioning is intentionally limited

The same design choices that make Aerus Z2 fast also create the main downside. A real-world review measured the shoe at 274.1 g in size 28.5 cm and noted that a lot had been stripped away to reach that weight, with cushioning and shock absorption kept at an absolute minimum by design.

"Aerus Z2 is a speed shoe first, not the safest pick if you want maximum impact protection."

That matters in Canadian club play because many players are on hard indoor courts for long evening sessions. If you are a heavier player, coming back from knee discomfort, or frequently feel impact through your heels after jump smashes and lunges, Aerus Z2 is probably not the first model to shortlist. For more context on why badminton-specific support matters, see our guide to badminton shoes vs running shoes.

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Eclipsion Z3: the stability and protection pick

The Eclipsion Z3 is the Yonex choice for players who want the shoe to feel locked-in first and fast second. If your priority is lateral support, ankle confidence, and protection during hard lunges or defensive recovery steps, this is the line that makes the most sense.

Its support story starts with the Lateral Shell, which supports the area that absorbs the most force and is designed to reduce lateral shake in sidestep footwork. Yonex also uses Stability Reinforcement with abrasion-resistant artificial leather to help stabilize movement, so the upper feels more protective than a stripped-down speed shoe.

Underfoot, the Eclipsion Z3 combines a Semi One-Piece Sole with the Radial Blade Sole. The design integrates toe and heel rubber to increase grip and contact area, with the goal of improving landing stability and reducing sprain risk. It also uses a shaped POWER CUSHION+ heel wedge, listed at 28% more shock absorption and 62% more repulsion than standard EVA.

The trade-off is weight: in one independent comparison, the Eclipsion Z3 measured 367 g per side, compared with 325 g for the 65Z4 and 271 g for the Aerus Z2. That difference is noticeable if you are coming from Aerus, and still clearly heavier than the 65Z line.

"Choose Eclipsion Z3 when you want the shoe to protect your footwork, not disappear under it."

Eclipsion Z3 vs 65Z: what you actually feel

Compared with the 65Z line, the Eclipsion Z3 feels more stable and protective right away. The downside is that it is stiffer overall. Players who like the 65Z for its more flexible feel and better cushioning sensation on vertical jumps may find the Eclipsion less lively, especially in repeated jump-smash movements.

That does not make one shoe automatically better. It makes the choice more specific: pick 65Z if you want the balanced all-around feel; pick Eclipsion Z3 if you want the shoe to feel more structured around the foot during aggressive lateral movement.

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Where the new Subaxia GT fits

Subaxia GT is the new fourth pillar in Yonex’s elite badminton shoe lineup beside 65, Aerus, and Eclipsion. The simplest way to understand it: if Aerus chases minimum weight, Eclipsion chases maximum stability, and 65Z sits in the balanced middle, Subaxia GT pushes toward high cushioning, stability, and protection while still aiming for explosive take-offs.

The headline technology is GRPHT THRTTL, which combines POWER CUSHION REV with POWER GRAPHITE. Yonex frames the system around shock absorption plus repulsion for rapid footwork and stronger upward movement, from jump smashes to quick net play. Compared with Yonex’s lightweight Hyper msLite midsole, Yonex claims GRPHT THRTTL improves impact absorption by 37% and increases repulsion by 42%.

The midsole layout is important. Subaxia GT uses a split approach: forefoot repulsion for push-off, heel cushioning for landings, and added heel midsole volume to handle high-impact loads during jumps and sudden stops. That makes it especially relevant for singles players, rear-court attackers, and anyone who feels their current lightweight shoes bottom out too quickly on hard landings.

It is not simply “the new Aerus” or “the new Eclipsion.” The official Subaxia GT spec list includes performance features you would expect in Yonex’s top court shoes, including Feather Bounce Foam, Durable Skin Light, Round Sole, Radial Blade Sole, Lateral Shell, Toe Assist Shape, Synchro-Fit Insole, Double Raschel Mesh, and an Inner Bootie. A wide-fit version also exists, giving players a roomier forefoot while keeping the stability concept intact.

The origin story also explains why players are suddenly seeing the name. Subaxia GT follows the GRPHT THRTTL concept shoe shown publicly at the World Championships in Paris, with Subaxia positioned as the badminton-specific version. That makes it a genuinely new branch of the Yonex shoe family, not just a colour update.

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Canadian buying notes: CAD price, fit, and availability

For Canadian buyers, the practical answer is part shoe choice and part availability. Check our badminton footwear collection first, then use Canadian badminton specialty retailers or your local club’s pro shop for Yonex models we do not list.

One timely note: the Subaxia GT is starting to appear at Canadian and North American specialty retail, which is why it belongs in the comparison even if it is not yet a normal shelf option everywhere in Canada.

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Which Yonex shoe should you choose?

If you want the short version of the Yonex 65Z vs Aerus vs Eclipsion decision: choose the 65Z4 if you want one dependable shoe for most playing styles, the Aerus Z2 if speed and low weight matter most, and the Eclipsion Z3 if stability and protection are your priority. The Subaxia GT is the newer fourth pillar for players who want a more explosive, cushioned take-off feel.

Fit still beats the model name. If you are between sizes or unsure how Yonex sizing converts to your usual Canadian shoe size, use the Badminton House size guide before ordering.

Still deciding between 65Z, Aerus, Eclipsion, or the newer Subaxia GT? We play badminton ourselves, so if you are unsure about fit, cushioning, support, or which shoe matches your footwork, contact us and we will help you narrow it down before you buy.