Rolled my ankle three times in one season. These shoes changed everything.
Sprained my right ankle during a tournament quarterfinal. Lunged for a net shot, foot twisted sideways, went down hard.
Three weeks on crutches. Two months of rehab. All because I was playing in worn-out court shoes with zero ankle support.
Switched to the Yonex Power Cushion 65Z3 eight months ago. Haven't had a single ankle issue since.
My old shoes (Li-Ning AYZN009) felt fine for regular play. But during explosive lateral movements, my ankles would roll inward slightly.
The 65Z3 has a mid-cut design that wraps around your ankle without restricting movement. First time I pushed hard into a corner, I could feel the support catching my ankle before it rolled.
Not stiff like basketball shoes. More like a firm hand guiding your foot back to center. You can still move fast, but with way less injury risk.
I play on wood floors 3-4 times per week. Old shoes left my knees aching after 2-hour sessions.
The Power Cushion+ technology actually works. First session in the 65Z3, I played for 2.5 hours and my knees felt fine the next day.
The difference is most obvious during jump smashes. When you land, the cushioning absorbs the impact instead of sending shock straight up your legs. My knees thank me for this upgrade.
Here's where these shoes excel. The Hexagrip sole pattern gives you insane traction on indoor courts.
I can plant and change direction without any slipping. Lunges to the front corners feel more controlled—I'm not sliding past my target anymore.
Even on dusty courts (our club doesn't clean well), the grip holds up. I wipe my shoes maybe once per session instead of after every point.
I've put serious miles on these shoes. Playing 12-15 hours per week, mostly competitive doubles.
The outsole has minor wear on the toe drag area (I'm right-handed, so right toe gets scraped during serves). But the tread pattern is still 85% intact.
The upper material shows no tears or separation. The ankle collar padding hasn't compressed. These shoes still look relatively new after 8 months.
My Li-Ning shoes were falling apart at 6 months. The Yonex quality is noticeably better.
Order half a size up. Yonex runs narrow and slightly short.
I normally wear US 10.5. Ordered 11 in the 65Z3 and the fit is perfect with badminton socks. If I'd ordered 10.5, my toes would be cramped.
Width is snug but not painful. If you have wide feet, these might feel tight even with sizing up. Try them on first if possible.
First two sessions were uncomfortable. The ankle support felt restrictive, and I had minor heel rubbing.
By the third session (about 6 hours total), the shoes molded to my feet. The ankle support felt natural, and the heel rubbing disappeared.
Don't judge these shoes in the first week. Give them 8-10 hours of play to break in properly.
Not amazing, but acceptable. The synthetic upper doesn't breathe as well as mesh.
During summer sessions in un-air-conditioned gyms, my feet get sweaty. Not unbearable, but I notice it.
In normal conditions (70-75°F gyms), breathability is fine. Just don't expect running shoe levels of ventilation.
The Yonex Power Cushion 65Z3 costs around $120-140 USD.
That's expensive compared to $60-80 budget shoes. But if you play 3+ times per week, the ankle support and durability justify the cost.
I've spent more on medical bills from my ankle sprain ($800+ for X-rays, PT, and visits) than these shoes cost. Injury prevention is worth paying for.
If you want similar ankle support but prefer low-cut shoes, try the Yonex Aerus 3. Lighter and faster, but less ankle protection.
For budget-conscious players, the Victor P9200 offers decent support for $80-90. Not as durable, but good for recreational players.
Buy them if you:
Skip them if you:
The Yonex Power Cushion 65Z3 is the best injury prevention investment I've made in badminton.
After my ankle sprain, I was terrified of re-injury. These shoes gave me confidence to push hard into corners and lunge aggressively without worrying about rolling my ankle.
Eight months in, the durability is excellent, the cushioning still feels new, and my knees don't ache anymore. Worth every penny of the $130 I paid.
If you play regularly and want to protect your ankles and knees, buy these shoes. If you're playing casually or on a tight budget, get something cheaper.
Best mid-cut badminton shoe for injury prevention. Period.
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