Badminton vs Futsal Shoes: Comparison

The major difference between Badminton shoes and Futsal shoes is the pattern of their rubber outsoles.

While the soles of Futsal shoes are flat with spike-elevated patterns that prevent one from slipping off on the hardcourt, provide good traction while dribbling your opponents, and help one to maintain a good grip of the ball.

Badminton vs Futsal Shoes

Badminton and Futsal games are both exciting indoor games that are played on the same indoor court.

But does this mean that you can use the same shoes for both sports? No. The truth is, the techniques used in both games are totally different, and that’s why you will need to buy shoes designed specifically for each sport.

Badminton shoes have hexa-gripped soles with radial grip patterns and this cater specifically to the wide range of footwork movements, such as pause, jumps, cross-steps, and the popular explosive lateral movements performed by the players while at the game.

This article highlights the differences and similarities between a Badminton shoe and a Futsal shoe and this will guide you on which shoes to buy while preparing for an indoor game as such.

What are Badminton Shoes?

These are sport-specific shoes used for playing Badminton. Since the inception of Badminton as an official Olympic sport in 1992 by the Badminton Association of England, it has gained popularity around the world.

It is a racket sport that is played both by men and women alike. The game features the use of a racket, shuttle, net, and poles.

Unlike most brands where ownership is directed specifically to a family or a person, Badminton shoes are being manufactured by several competing athletic brands.

Popular brands such as Yonex (1957), Li-Ning (1957), Victor (1958), Carlton Sports (1946), Ashaway (1946), Yehlex (1985), Adidas, and Asics are among the best companies manufacturing Badminton shoes.

Badminton shoes are designed to provide the best cushioning and traction needed for the sudden stop, jumps, and changing directions that the game demands, to avoid knee and ankle injuries.

That’s why they are mostly worn by professional Badminton players. The soles of the shoes are also light-weighted to support all kinds of court surfaces such as PU, PVC, concrete, wood, and asphalt.

Pros:

The rubber soles are anti-slip and wear-resistant which is a perfect fit for the game
Badminton shoes have a mid-foot feature that serves as an excellent shock-absorber
The shoes are made from, soft, high quality breathable upper materials to relieve the foot from sweats and smell
Badminton shoes are designed to fit tightly, hence making footwork easier
The shoes are light-weighted to support fast foot movements
The under sole is thin, with a radial drip pattern, and is made from rubber gum, this makes it possible for carrying out lateral movements
There are several best-selling Badminton brands that manufacture these shoes
Badminton shoes protect the ankle from sprains and injuries due to the sharp change of directions

Cons:

They are designed only for performing Badminton and not any other indoor sports
They do not function well as an outdoor sports shoe
They can’t be used as running shoes
The shoes are quite expensive for beginners in Badminton sport

What are Futsal Shoes?

Futsal shoes on the other hand are made for playing Futsal games which involve a lot of moves such as dribbling, powerful forward strikes, and speed.

Futsal shoes have a flat surface and a rubber outsole that comes with different patterns. This feature is what prevents the players from slipping off the hardcourt as the shoe provides a good grip on the court surface and good traction as well.

Popular brands like Adidas, Puma, and Nike are known to not only produce high quality Futsal shoes but also durable shoes for the game.

Unlike other indoor soccer shoes which are high-cut, Futsal shoes come in a low-cut design so that there is a lot of close contact with the hard court surface while playing.

The implication of this is so that the shoe won’t hinder the players while moving their feet. Futsal shoes are also very light so that you can have a better feel of the ball and improved speed as well.

Pros:

The upper mesh of the shoes enhances fiction for better ball control
The nose of this shoe is designed to provide more power to your forefoot so that each strike results in a goal
Futsal shoes have a flat sole feature that serves as an excellent grip while moving across the court
The shoes have breathable upper materials to relieve the foot from sweats and smell
Futsal shoes are designed to fit tightly, hence this gives you a precise ball touch
The shoes are light-weighted to support
The under sole is made from rubber, making it possible for a great grip on the floor
They are designed to have a non-marking sole which improves one’s acceleration
Futsal shoes have good cushioning which protects the ankle from sprains and injuries due to the sharp change of directions
Most Futsal shoes give that bouncy feel and cushioning needed for playing the game

Cons:

They can’t be used as running shoes
Not a budget-friendly option for a beginner

What features make badminton shoes best for badminton?

Here are the basic features a good pair of Badminton shoes offers you:

Hexa-gripped sole

This feature makes it very possible for you to take a pause, jump, and easily perform other sudden lateral movements which the game requires

Flexible toe box

Badminton games require a lot of bending, hence the toe boxes of the shoes are made with a net. This will avoid any cut on the upper region of the shoe and hence provides durability.

Supportive low midsole

The flexible low midsole is in close contact with the ground so you can perform lateral movements without spraining your ankle.

Good ankle support

Badminton shoes are made to be a mid-cut which is a quality that protects the ankle bone. And the shoes have a solid quarter that provides a sturdy footrest during lateral movements and this prevents you from ankle twisting.

What features make futsal shoes best for Futsal?

Here are the basic features a good pair of Futsal shoes offers you:

Reinforced toe box

The toe box is primarily the most exposed surface while playing Futsal, so the toe box is strengthened to support the forefoot and allows one to give steady shots.

Gel dampening system in the heel

Because of how fast-paced the game is, the players are susceptible to injuries. However, the design of the heel acts as a shock absorber to protect the ankle, heel, and joints.

The upper material of the shoe

Most Futsal shoes are made with an upper made of a breathable mesh material such as suede and soft leather which ultimately allows your feet to breathe.

Also, it increases the friction between the shoe and the ball giving you superior control and a better grip on the ball.

How are badminton and futsal shoes similar?

Good shoes typically improve your efficiency in any sports; hence it is important to have one made specifically for such.

While Badminton and Futsal shoes are made to suit each game, they actually have quite a number of similarities which you are about to see below:

Here’s a matching line in their similarities:

Both shoes have non-marking anti-slip soles
Both shoes are made with breathable materials
Both shoes have top-notch cushioning

Both Shoes have non-marking anti-slip soles

A shoe is said to be non-marking when the sole does not leave marks on the surface and this is actually a prerequisite while playing on a wooden or synthetic court.

Most indoor courts do have rules on what type of shoes to wear before the game, as any regular or normal shoe type could cause potential damage to the surface of the court and hence prevents the effectiveness of the players.

But the good thing is that both shoes have a manufacturer print that indicates the sole is non-marking, so it’s pretty simple finding out whether or not yours is non-marking or not.

Both shoes are made with breathable materials

For a physically engaging sport like Badminton and Futsal, it is important that the shoes allow for air to circulate through.

So, both shoes are made in such a way that the upper material has small pores and the mouth of the shoe is made of fabric that doesn’t absorb water.

With this, you can rest assured that your shoes will not become smelly or overwhelmed with foot sweats and heat.

However, you will have to play your part in exposing your shoes to sunlight after every match to complement the features.

Both shoes offer top-end cushioning:

Just like any other sport, there are levels of players such as beginners, and professionals.

So, with this in mind, not all Badminton and Futsal shoes are made with similar cushioning. But this does not mean that for a beginner the cushioning is low.

What this means is that for every skill level, the shoes have good cushioning that caters specifically to each individual and their unique moves.

What are the differences between badminton shoes and futsal shoes?

Although both shoes share some common features, here are the other differences between a Badminton and Futsal shoes:

Badminton Shoes vs Futsal Shoes: Function

This feature is actually what differentiates Badminton shoes from Futsal shoes and other athletic or running types.

Futsal shoes are designed to support only forward movements hence they have a more supportive toe box area.

While Badminton shoes cater majorly to the lateral moves that the game requires, that’s why they are made to have radial grip patterns on the outer sole.

Badminton Shoes vs Futsal Shoes: Comfort

Futsal shoes are lightweight, with a thin breathable upper that prevents your feet from getting warm during the game.

Badminton shoes have a Hexa-gripped sole that enables one to be agile and perform stable footwork.

Badminton Shoes vs Futsal Shoes: Fitting

Unlike most athletic shoes that come in a high-cut, Futsal shoes give that barefoot feel so that one can have a firm grip on the ball.

Badminton shoes, on the other hand, are tight-fitting shoes with Hexa-gripped soles for added comfort while doing footwork.

Badminton Shoes vs Futsal Shoes: Quality & durability

Badminton shoes have wear-resistant rubber soles that respond to the frequent turning of the foot.

And the toe box of the shoes is incorporated with a net to prevent cutting in the upper region due to normal bending by the players.

Futsal shoes are not only made with high-grade leather and tough rubber outer sole but also the toe box is perforated with extra support to improve the overall durability of the shoe.

Badminton Shoes vs Futsal Shoes: Price

Badminton shoes are quite pricier than Futsal shoes, especially for a beginner. For example, the unisex version of Badminton sells at $79 while that of Futsal sells at $64.

This majorly depends on the brand though, and the quality of the shoe.

Parting Words

It is quite common that one of the first things that you will probably do before buying a good pair of shoes for any sports is to check for the prices selling at different brands and not even the features.

But I know that it won’t be any longer as you have been able to see the major differences between Badminton and a Futsal shoe.

The pros and cons of each shoe show you what they do and why it is necessary to have one for each game.

However, both shoes have similarities that make one tempted to substitute them for the other.

The similarities exist in terms of having a breathable material, non-slip soles, and great cushioning but that does not cater to the differences that each sports skill demands.

So, if you are looking for a shoe that supports a game that involves stop-and-go and sideways movements, like Badminton, then you need a nice pair of Badminton shoes.

Their soles are designed with the techniques of the game in mind to ultimately minimize frequent ankle injury during lateral movements.

But if what you need is a flexible shoe that can allow for a better ball grip and control, and fast speed amidst dribbling your opponents then the Futsal shoes are your best take.

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