Superficially, badminton and tennis might seem to be indistinguishable to people who are not aware of either one of these two sports. Although there are many resemblances between the two sports, they are completely different. The tools, courts, skills, and footwork required for tennis and badminton are utterly different. If you are wondering whether to explore either one of these two games, then you will have to get the know-how of both games to select the appropriate one for you.
If you are wondering how to use your tennis shoes for playing badminton, then you are at the right place. Before stepping onto the court wearing one, you must know the difference between tennis shoes and badminton shoes. Don’t know what the difference is between tennis shoes and badminton shoes? Or whether you can use these as an alternative to each other or not? Tennis shoes vs badminton shoes are one of the most debatable topics among racquet players. Here I have brought to you all you need to know. Scroll down to find out.
Any shoes which are specially designed and dedicated to being used for a specific game are manufactured by keeping the needs of the particular game in mind. As tennis and badminton differ in many aspects, these games need different shoes. Tennis is more focused on running, controlling a rubber ball, and horizontal footwork on outdoor courts. Whereas, badminton includes jumping, a lightweight shuttlecock, and vertical footwork. Keep reading to find out further details about the differences between these two types of shoes.
Tennis Shoes
Tennis is an outdoor racquet sport that involves more left-right movements, speed, heavy racquet, and a rubber ball that needs to be thrown with more force toward the opponent at the other side of the tennis net placed in the middle of the outdoor court. Because of all these requirements, it is necessary to get a pair of efficient tennis shoes to accompany you on the tennis court.
Features Of Tennis shoes
1. Weight
Compared to badminton shoes, tennis shoes are much heavier as they are designed for fast speed, left-right footwork, sudden change of angle, and more support for the movement of a heavy racquet. So, these tennis shoes are designed to have more protection and cushioning. Tennis players are more prone to ankle injuries, so more foam is added around the ankle region as well as around the heels for better support.
2. Sole Technology
Tennis shoes are designed by keeping the different types of outdoor tennis courts in mind. As compared to the badminton shoes which are mostly designed for indoor courts, you will find that tennis shoes have much more grip and friction to save the players from falling during fast and abrupt motion on the court. The sole of tennis shoes makes them compatible with many different courts.
3. Built
The overall build of the tennis shoes and badminton shoes might seem to be the same, but you can easily notice the difference if you have used both of these shoes. The tennis shoes are slightly more rigid around the heel area. The rigidity of these shoes does not make them uncomfortable while playing. Rather the rigid structure provides more support and protection by keeping your ankle in position. So, you can save yourself from any unexpected injury on the court.
Badminton Shoes
Badminton and tennis are similar in terms of being racquet sports with each player on the opposite side of the net. However, badminton is also a racquet sport like tennis but it includes a light-weight racquet, forward-backward movement, jumping, shuttlecock, leap, and a heavier net on an indoor court. These differences between badminton and tennis make it necessary to have a separate pair of badminton shoes to help you perform better on the court.
Features Of Badminton Shoes
1. Weight
The badminton shoes are much lighter compared to the tennis shoes because they don’t have thick soles and additional cushioning. Badminton needs players to jump as well as move forward and backward in order to hit the shuttlecock. Heavy shoes can make it difficult for the players to jump and move with ease, so the light weight of these shoes helps the players on the court.
2. Sole Technology
The indoor courts of badminton are usually made up of less tough material than the concrete courts of tennis. The badminton courts are made up of wood floors, synthetic materials like Polyurethane and Polyvinyl Chloride, or acrylic material. In addition to a thin insole, these shoes have a circular traction pattern on the outsole to provide you with a stable landing while jumping.
3. Built
Tennis shoes are more rigid as compared to badminton shoes. The ankle support of the badminton shoes is not as tough as compared to tennis ones because the rigidity can affect your footwork. You will feel uncomfortable while leaping and jumping on the court as the rigid ankle support limits the players’ movement on the badminton court. The badminton shoes have a much slimmer build compared to the tennis ones and provide more stability to players.
Final Words – Tennis Shoes Vs Badminton Shoes
I hope that you have found an answer to the tennis shoes vs badminton shoes debate. These two types of sports shoes are poles apart even though the nature of these two sports are quite similar in many ways. Badminton shoes focus more on stability and ease of movement by being less padded and light in weight. Whereas tennis shoes are dedicated to providing ankle support and grip. Now it will be easier for you to select the best one for you in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Go and grab yours as soon as possible.
Frequantly Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can tennis shoes be used for badminton?
No, tennis shoes and badminton shoes are different. Each one of these shoes is designed to be used on a particular type of court. The tennis shoes are designed for outdoor courts, while badminton shoes are best for indoors. You cannot wear tennis shoes for badminton as they are heavier, rigid, and have different builds than that required for badminton. Tennis shoes can damage the indoor court floor as well as affect your performance.
