7 Alternative Ways Men Can Use Their Badminton Footwear

There are different types of shoes suitable for different kinds of people, and for people who play badminton, they would also have special shoes that are perfect for enhancing their movement and maneuverability on the court. Badminton shoes may not look different from the normal sneakers or rubber shoes that you see today, but they do offer unique features that are better suited for badminton players.

Badminton shoes are sneakers that usually have non-marking soles on them, similar to how tennis shoes are made. Non-marking soles, as implied by their name, don’t leave marks on the court that may distress its surface. Also, when a court gets damaged, there is a high chance that the player’s performance may be affected by it since he or she may slip or slide during quick movements while playing badminton. Non-marking soles are typically gum in color, but they can come in different colors as well, depending on the shoe’s colorway. These soles also feel smooth to the touch, and they don’t have lugs or spikes that are normally found in trail shoes and football shoes.

Many players say that most badminton shoes feel very comfortable for their feet, and because of the stability and comfort that these shoes provide, people would often use it for other ways other than to play badminton. Here are seven alternative ways that men use badminton shoes in their daily life.

For Running

Since they have a similar build and structure as running shoes, most badminton players would also wear their badminton shoes for running, although they would run on smooth surfaces like roads instead of trails or rough terrain. Badminton shoes would often have a cushioning system that enhances the comfort for the wearer, and this cushioning is also effective in reducing the impact of stepping your foot on a hard surface like the road. However, shoes that are specifically made for running have better cushioning systems that are more suitable for the sport or exercise, and as such, badminton shoes may have a slight disadvantage when it is used for running. If you are on a relatively restricted budget, and you don’t have any running shoes, then you can use your badminton footwear to run, but don’t expect it to be as comfortable as legitimate running shoes.

For Training

racket and shuttlecocks for badminton

Another athletic use for badminton shoes is for working out on the gym, and they are the perfect balance between stability and comfort when it comes to performing several exercises. Gym buffs would often stay away from running shoes because they are too cushioned to provide stability for lifting weight, but badminton shoes just give them enough cushion so that their feet won’t feel sore after a tiring workout. Of course, there are training shoes that are specifically made for the gym, but if you don’t want to spend cash on another pair of shoes, your badminton shoes can still be suitable for the task.

For Tennis

Tennis and badminton are similar sports, although in badminton, the players would have to hit a lighter shuttlecock than a heavier ball, and they also use lighter rackets to hit it. Players of both sports would wear non-marking soles to prevent damage on the court, and most of them may even have the same cushioning system, which is why badminton shoes are great alternatives if you don’t have ones for tennis. The same can also be said when it comes to tennis shoes since you can also wear them to play badminton. Furthermore, most countries would sometimes have more tennis shoes than badminton shoes, so wear tennis shoes to play badminton is still a good alternative.

For Volleyball

If you also love playing volleyball, you may also want to consider using badminton shoes for the sport. Both volleyball and badminton involve using the same movements on the court, but the former utilizes more jumps to hit the ball. Almost all volleyball shoes today have non-marking soles that offer sufficient grip on the court, and this feature can be found in badminton shoes as well. Despite volleyball being a popular sport in some countries, there are not a lot of shoes made to suit the sport, which is why players would often wear men’s shoes for shuttlers or badminton players, tennis players, and even basketball players.

For Casual Wear

Badminton shoes are also great for walking in the mall, buying groceries, or any casual activities that you can do for a day. The cushioning systems on badminton shoes are good for long walks to prevent foot fatigue, and they also provide sufficient grip and stability not to let you slip on anything. However, the non-marking soles may not be durable enough for days of use, as the pavement or the road may wear it faster than by using it solely on badminton courts. However, the same problems can also be found in other types of sneakers, so that is not a downside that is only found in wearing badminton shoes casually.

For Commuting

Some people may use their badminton footwear for commuting to work. This activity is similar to casual use since you would have to wear it to protect your feet on rougher and harder surfaces, although it would reduce the shoes’ level of durability since you would be walking a lot more to go to work. Using badminton shoes is not really recommended for commuting, but if you have no other pairs that are more comfortable or more durable, then you may wear it.

For Home Use

badminton racket and shuttlecock

Besides wearing it outside, you can also wear badminton shoes indoors too. Non-marking soles are perfect for home use since they cannot produce scuff on the carpet or on the floor on your home, and they may also feel like a pair of slides or slippers because of how comfortable they are. You can also increase the lifespan of your badminton shoes by only wearing it on the court and at home since it will not rub against rougher surfaces usually found outside.

These are just seven of the most popular ways that players use their badminton shoes other than for playing their sport. Most of the alternatives are perfect for the shoes, while some may not be as suitable because of durability issues. However, what you do with your pair of badminton shoes is up to you, and you can use it in more than seven ways if you prefer to.