Quick answer: Yonex badminton shoes come in four families — Aerus (lightest, for fast doubles), Eclipsion (most supportive, for singles), 65 (the all-round club favourite) and Strider / Cascade (entry level and junior). All use Power Cushion in the heel to absorb landing shock. UK prices run from about £30 for a junior pair to £165 for a top-tier Aerus, and most club players are best served between £45 and £85.
Yonex makes more badminton shoes than anyone else, and that is the problem. Come to the range cold and you face Aerus Z2, Eclipsion Z3, 65X4, Strider Flow and Cascade Drive, all of them "Power Cushion" and all apparently essential. This guide explains what the range names mean, what each tier costs in the UK, which model fits how you play, and the sizing mistake that catches out most first-time buyers.
What Power Cushion actually does
Power Cushion is Yonex's heel shock-absorption system and it runs through every shoe in the badminton range. The material compresses on impact and springs back, returning part of the energy instead of letting your knee take all of it.
It matters because of landing volume: a lunge to the net and a jump smash both end with your body weight arriving through one heel, and a game contains hundreds of those. Running shoes absorb force travelling forwards; badminton shoes absorb it downwards and sideways. That is also why a badminton sole sits lower to the floor — less height means less chance of rolling an ankle. It is genuine injury prevention, and the main reason not to play in trainers.
The four Yonex badminton shoe ranges explained
Aerus is the lightweight line. Yonex strips weight out so you move earlier, which suits fast doubles and players who live on speed. The trade-off is less structure and a shorter lifespan.
Eclipsion is the opposite — the most supportive shoe Yonex builds, with a stiffer chassis and reinforced sidewalls. It is the singles player's shoe, for long rallies and hard direction changes.
65 is the all-rounder and the biggest seller in UK clubs. The 65Z is the premium version, the 65X the more affordable one. If you do not know which range you need, this is the answer.
Strider and Cascade are the entry-level and junior lines. Strider Flow is where most new players should start: a proper non-marking sole and real Power Cushion, without the commitment.
How much do Yonex badminton shoes cost in the UK?
The range falls into four clean bands, and knowing them stops you paying for features you will not use.
- £30–£50 (junior and entry): Strider Flow, Power Cushion 101, junior models. Right for beginners and once-a-week players.
- £50–£75 (club standard): 65X, Cascade Drive, Eclipsion X. The sweet spot — full Power Cushion and a durable outsole.
- £75–£110 (performance): Eclipsion Z, 65Z in sale, wide fittings. Added support for league players.
- £110–£165 (top tier): Aerus Z, 65Z4, 88 Dial. Lightest and most advanced, for county and national level.
Two honest points. The top tier buys weight saving, not durability — lighter shoes wear out faster. And Yonex refreshes models on a cycle, so last season's premium shoe often sells at club-tier money. That is the best value in the range, so check the sale section before paying full price.
Wide feet, narrow feet and getting the size right
This is the part most guides skip and it causes more returns than anything else. Yonex sizing uses a Japanese last, which runs narrower than most European shoes. With a broad forefoot, a standard Yonex shoe in your usual size feels tight across the ball of the foot even when the length is right.
Yonex solves this properly: several models come in a dedicated Wide fitting, including Aerus Z2 Wide, 65Z4 Wide and Strider Flow Wide. Sizing up half a size instead is the common mistake — it gives width but leaves the heel sliding, causing blisters and costing you stability on a lunge.
Try shoes on in the socks you actually play in. Between sizes with no wide option, take the larger size and use a thicker insole to lock the heel in.
Which Yonex model suits your game?
- New or social player: Strider Flow or Power Cushion 101 — get a non-marking sole first, upgrade when you are playing weekly.
- Club doubles, once or twice a week: 65X4 — the default answer for most UK club players.
- Singles or long defensive rallies: Eclipsion. You want support more than low weight.
- Fast doubles at a decent standard: Aerus. Lightest on court, shortest lifespan.
- Juniors: a junior-specific model. Adult shoes a size up have soles too stiff for a lighter player to flex.
- Broad feet: start from the Wide fittings and choose the range second.
Shoes and grips wear out fastest and get replaced least often. If your footwork has gone sluggish, check the sole before blaming your racket — our badminton grips buying guide covers the other half.
Top picks from Central Sports
All five were in stock at centralsports.co.uk at the time of writing and span the whole range, not just the expensive end. Sizes on the discounted models are limited, so check availability first.
- Yonex Power Cushion 101 — £36.30: the cheapest genuine Yonex badminton shoe we stock, and the right first pair.
- Yonex Strider Flow, Men's — £46.20: the beginner-to-improver pick, more supportive than the 101.
- Yonex Power Cushion 65X4 — £72.00: the club all-rounder. One shoe that does everything and lasts.
- Yonex Eclipsion Z3, Women's — £84.10: top-tier support at club money, down from £170. The best value here.
- Yonex Aerus Z2, Men's — £132.00: the lightweight flagship, for fast doubles at a competitive standard.
See the full range, including wide fittings and junior sizes, in our Yonex badminton shoes collection, or browse every brand in badminton footwear.
Frequently asked questions
Which Yonex badminton shoe is best?
There is no single best model because the ranges solve different problems. For most UK club players the 65X4 is right. Pick Eclipsion for singles and support, or Aerus for fast doubles and the lightest shoe on court.
How much do Yonex badminton shoes cost?
Roughly £30–£50 for junior and entry models, £50–£75 club standard, £75–£110 performance and £110–£165 top tier. Previous-generation premium models often sell in the club band.
What are the best shoes to wear for badminton?
Any indoor court shoe with a non-marking gum sole, a low profile and heel cushioning. The non-marking sole matters most — most UK sports halls insist on it.
Can I use running shoes for badminton?
No. They cushion forward impact, sit high off the floor and mark indoor courts. The raised heel is a real ankle-rolling risk on a lunge, and many sports halls will turn you away.
How long do Yonex badminton shoes last?
Playing twice a week, expect 9–12 months from a club-standard shoe and less from a lightweight Aerus. The cushioning flattens before the outsole looks worn, so judge by how landings feel.
The bottom line
Yonex badminton shoes are simple once you know the four ranges: Aerus for speed, Eclipsion for support, 65 for everything, Strider and Cascade for starting out. Buy for how you actually play, check the Wide fittings before you check the price, and look at last season's premium models before this season's mid-range ones.
Still deciding? Our best badminton shoes UK 2026 guide compares Yonex against Victor, Asics and Li-Ning at every price point. Central Sports is a specialist racket sports retailer and official retailer of the Yonex All England Championships — if you are unsure about fit, ask us. We would rather spend five minutes getting it right than process a return.