How do you maintain your badminton shoes?

Welcome to this beginner's guide on how to maintain your badminton shoes! Whether you're an enthusiastic player who regularly steps onto the badminton court or you play at a high level, it's essential to keep your shoes in top condition for optimal performance. In this article, we'll show you how to keep your badminton shoes in top shape so you can play comfortably and prevent injuries. Let's get started!

Why Are Good Badminton Shoes Important?

Before delving into maintenance, let's take a look at why having the best badminton shoes is important. Good shoes not only provide comfort but also play a crucial role in preventing injuries and maximizing your game.

Badminton shoes are specially designed for the sport, with features that allow for quick movements, jumps, and sudden changes in direction. They offer grip, cushioning, and support in the right places. Womens badmintonshoes and Mens badminton shoes often offer different solutions when it comes to gender, so make sure to choose shoes that match your gender, fit, and playing style.

Maintaining Badminton Shoes

Now that you understand why good badminton shoes are important, let's see how you can maintain them. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Cleaning Your Badminton Shoes

The most obvious step is to keep your beautiful sports shoes clean and fresh. During intense matches or vigorous training sessions, dirt and sweat can easily accumulate, making your shoes look dirty and smell less pleasant. If you don't maintain them regularly, this can shorten the lifespan of your shoes.

How do you clean your badminton shoes?

The best approach is to wash your shoes in a warm soapy solution. Then use a soft brush to remove dirt. A gentle scrub is sufficient. After you've removed all the dirt, rinse the shoes thoroughly with clear water to get rid of any soap residue. Then, let the shoes soak for 10-15 minutes to ensure all soap and dirt are completely gone. Finally, it's best to dry your shoes with a towel and then let them air dry.

Don't put your badminton shoes in the washing machine!

Never put your shoes in the washing machine, as it can damage the material and especially the sole of the shoes.

2. Drying Your Badminton Shoes

If you've worn your shoes during an intense game, a heavy training session, or just cleaned them with water, it's important to let your shoes dry properly. Don't store them in an enclosed space or in direct sunlight, as this can cause damage. Let them dry in a cool, ventilated place, preferably with newspaper inside to absorb moisture. In other words, give them time to breathe!

3. Replacing Your Insoles

Insoles are a crucial part of badminton shoes. They provide additional cushioning and support for your feet. Over time, insoles can lose their resilience, so it's wise to replace them regularly. This keeps your feet comfortable, allowing you to play longer without getting tired. Ultimately, this is a relatively inexpensive way to extend the lifespan of your shoes and wear your beloved sports shoes for a longer time.

4. Checking the Sole of Your Shoes

The sole of your badminton shoes is vital for your performance on the court. Regularly check whether the sole is still in good condition and whether there is no wear or damage. If the sole is worn out, you lose grip and stability, increasing the risk of injuries. When your sole is smooth and/or worn out, we recommend ordering a new pair of badminton shoes.

Additional Tips for Your Badminton Shoes

Of course, we look forward to selling everyone new shoes for badminton, but not at any cost. If you keep the above points in mind for shoe maintenance, you'll enjoy your shoes for longer, save money, and put less strain on the environment. In addition to maintenance, we have a few tips that contribute to prolonging the lifespan of your shoes.

Wear your shoes for badminton only indoors/on the court

Do not use your badminton shoes outside the court because the sole/grip of your badminton shoes is made of material suitable for indoor use. Walking or running outside can damage the grip of your shoes and shorten their lifespan. It can lead to the sole of your shoes becoming very smooth, increasing the risk of slipping and getting injured, which no one wants!

Store in shoe bags: When you're not using your badminton shoes, it's advisable to store them in a shoe bag. This also protects your shoes and keeps them cool and dry. Moreover, your shoes will last longer and be protected from moisture, which can lead to mold.

Place tea bags in your shoes

If your shoes smell strongly after playing, you can place tea bags in them to keep them smelling fresh. Tea bags are known to neutralize unpleasant odors in shoes overnight. Don't forget to remove the tea bags from your shoes before playing.

Fill your shoes when not in use

To maintain the shape of your shoes for a long time, you can stuff them with paper or tissues when you're not wearing them. Unnecessary dents and creases can ruin the shape of your shoes and make you buy new shoes sooner than necessary. This is, of course, not necessary if you wear them every week.

Replace your badminton shoes in a timely manner

Even if you're very careful with your badminton shoes, you'll eventually need to buy a new pair. Depending on the type of player you are, the level you play at, and how often you play, your shoes should last six months to a year and a half. The wear and tear of badminton shoes is normal and will naturally occur over time. We recommend that if you play once a week, you should order new shoes once a year. You can delay this by using the above-mentioned tips and tricks.

We're here to advise you

If you have any more questions about maintaining your badminton shoes, you can always ask our KW FLEX Badminton Shop experts, who are always ready to answer your questions. Ask your questions via phone/WhatsApp: +31-616501686, Facebook, Instagram, and/or email.