Badminton on Black Friday
The badminton equipment gathered here covers everything you need to play in a club or for leisure: rackets Yonex, Babolat, Carlton and Victor for every playing style, court shoes with rubber soles for men, women and children, feather or synthetic shuttlecocks, and bags to carry it all. A selection at reduced prices during the Black Friday, to change your racket or shoes before the heart of winter indoors.
The badminton player's gear, at reduced prices.
Weight, balance, handle: reading a racket’s specifications
A badminton racket is first chosen for its weight, indicated by a U code: the higher the number, the lighter the frame. At Yonex, a 3U frame weighs an average of eighty-eight grams, a 4U eighty-three, and a 5U seventy-eight, stringing not included. Balance is just as important: a head-heavy racket adds mass to the smash, while a head-light racket speeds up exchanges at the net and in defence. The size of the handle, shown by a G code, is chosen based on hand size: the higher the number, the thinner the grip, and an overgrip can later be added to adjust the thickness.
Other racket sports
Racket sports during Black Friday also include:
All racket sports are gathered on the racket sports page.
Nanoflare, Astrox, Isometric: three Yonex families for three playing styles
Founded in Japan in 1946 by Minoru Yoneyama, Yonex offers a range tailored to different player profiles. The Nanoflare, with its light head, focuses on racket speed for quick countering and attacking in doubles. The Astrox, with a heavier head, is designed for players seeking power from the back of the court. The Isometric, featuring a square head that enlarges the effective hitting area, forgives imperfect hits and is suitable for beginners. Babolat, a Lyon-based brand founded in 1875 known for natural gut string, Carlton, and Victor complete the selection with balanced frames for progressing in clubs.
Why choose badminton shoes over running shoes
Badminton involves forward lunges, jumps, and side movements on parquet or synthetic surfaces: a badminton shoe keeps the foot low, stable, and well-supported, whereas a running shoe, which is high and soft on the sides, can lead to sprains. The rubber sole grips the floor without leaving marks, and a toe reinforcement protects the tip that rubs during lunges. The Yonex Power Cushion absorbs heel landings; one of the models is named after Danish champion Viktor Axelsen, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo and then in Paris. The Babolat Shadow prioritises lateral stability, and the Wide versions accommodate wider feet.
Feather or synthetic shuttlecock: which trajectory
The legal feather shuttlecock has sixteen feathers attached to a rounded base and weighs between 4.74 and 5.50 grams. Its trajectory, fast at the start and then sharply slowed at the end, is typical of competition shuttlecocks, like the Yonex Aerosensa, but feathers wear out after repeated smashes. The synthetic shuttlecock, with a nylon skirt, lasts much longer and is suitable for training and recreational play. Feather shuttlecocks are also classified by speed, which should be chosen based on the venue: in a cold gym, the denser air slows down the shuttlecock, requiring a higher speed, and vice versa in hot conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What string tension should I choose for my racket?
A moderate tension of around nine to ten kilos makes the hit more forgiving and is suitable for recreational play. More experienced players increase the tension for better control, as long as they hit the shuttlecock accurately, because the stringbed becomes firmer and less forgiving.
How should I hold my badminton racket?
The universal grip involves holding the handle as if shaking hands, with the V formed by the thumb and index finger resting on the side. For the backhand, the thumb slides flat on the grip to push the shuttlecock.
What are the serving rules in badminton?
The shuttlecock must be struck below a height of 1.15 meters from the floor, diagonally into the opponent's service box. Both feet of the server must remain in contact with the floor and stay still until the hit.
Do I need a specific bag for my rackets?
A bag lined with insulating material protects the strings from temperature fluctuations that can loosen or break them. Backpacks and duffle-style bags, like those from Craft or Carlton, can hold rackets, shoes, and spare clothes.
Where does the name badminton come from?
The game gets its name from Badminton House, the estate of the Dukes of Beaufort in Gloucestershire, where it was played in the nineteenth century. British officers discovered it in India under the name poona.
