Does anyone out their uses those traditional chinese badminton shoes (baiky)?
I don't see the pros use them neither.

I tried them for a few weeks but some concrete floors are hard on my foots and I've gone back to the cushy nike court shoes. I do, however, wear the 'baiky' at home.

When younger I would not wear anything else other than badminton shoes from China (Baiky, Dragonfly, etc). They were confortable to wear and had better grip on wooden floors and competition mats. But on the downside they wore down quick (I played 5/6 times per week and they lasted on average 3 weeks) and cushion is not good enough.
As for the pros, the Chinese badminton shoes they wear, though similar in appearance have much better cushioning.

I did wear badminton shoes from China in last ten years. Until recently, I switch to Mizuno and Yonex badminton shoes. The great things about badminton shoes from China are light, strong grip and cheap. However, as viver said, the cushioning is poor (in fact, I'll say there is no cushioning at all for these shoes).

As I'm not as fit as before now, I need some better equipments or accessories for better protection from injury (or fatigue). Currently I wear two badminton shoes - one is Yonex latest model with so called "Power Cushion" and the other one is a Mizuno with "Wave" technology, i.e. both shoes have special design to provide extra cushioing. My legs feel definitely better after switching to these shoes.

Agreed, those traditional chinese badminton shoes lack cushion. I used to insert an extra layer of aftermarket sole cushion when i do use those shoes to play.

do you mean those white cloth ones with the green sole? i used to use them when i was in secondary school. they are great. as other have said, they don't provide much cushioning, nor do they last. but at a bargain of HK$30 a pair then, it doesn't really matter. are they still available?

Yes. I think theyare still available in china. I picked up some in guangdong but it was in 1993

Yes, Dragon Fly is still available in Malaysia, about RM20 per pair. Damn cheap. But you can painful ankles after that.

I used to wear exclusively these badminton shoes until my landing became more and more painful. Then I switched to Yonex and other brand name shoes, but never feel the same grip and control with footwork. The insole that I bought did not last long, but it helps a bit. 12 months ago, I started to use this special insole on my chinese badminton shoes and I was impressed. The insole seems indestructable and is as good comparing to those brand name shoes. The two combined gives me the best of the grip plus the best of cushioning from brand name. The only thing is: the insole costs 3 times as much as the shoes, but it pays itself off already, as by now, I could have put in the third pairs of regular insoles. I only have to worry about replacing the shoes now, which costs me around $10 every 6 months or so.

Would you share what insole you use now? I wear Kason badminton shoes now, not quite the same as what you talk about here, but I need to replace the insole, too.

I used to wear exclusively these badminton shoes until my landing became more and more painful. Then I switched to Yonex and other brand name shoes, but never feel the same grip and control with footwork. The insole that I bought did not last long, but it helps a bit. 12 months ago, I started to use this special insole on my chinese badminton shoes and I was impressed. The insole seems indestructable and is as good comparing to those brand name shoes. The two combined gives me the best of the grip plus the best of cushioning from brand name. The only thing is: the insole costs 3 times as much as the shoes, but it pays itself off already, as by now, I could have put in the third pairs of regular insoles. I only have to worry about replacing the shoes now, which costs me around $10 every 6 months or so.

who can forget the white fish from dragon fly

oh memories:) my dragon fly shoes, i wear them to school many many moons ago, very comfortable shoes.

yap.. and we could never stop dyeing them with whose magic white ink

In those days I only wore those 'Dragonfly', 'Double Coin', etc shoes. The ones for badminton were nicer, they looked cool because they had in the big toe area a strip of extra rubber to protect that part. Too bad the rubber would be gone in 2 practice sessions. :crying:

Would you share what insole you use now? I wear Kason badminton shoes now, not quite the same as what you talk about here, but I need to replace the insole, too.

That post was long long time ago. If you like to try look for the Superfeet Green insoles. I had this one for a year - play once a week only though, and still in good shape. This one is harder compared to others that I have tried - i.e. Spenco which lasted me for about a month.

You may also do a search in this site for insoles and there are threads where other players posted their views and experiences with different products.

Good luck. :)

You might try www.yoursole.com (http://www.yoursole.com/). The black version, ULTRA SOFTEC, is for high-impact sports.

Would you share what insole you use now? I wear Kason badminton shoes now, not quite the same as what you talk about here, but I need to replace the insole, too.

The baiky shoes can still be bought here for $12: http://www.hiquasports.com/badminton/baikyshoes.htm

It says they are the official shoes of the Chinese team.

I think I may give them a try :D

The baiky shoes can still be bought here for $12: http://www.hiquasports.com/badminton/baikyshoes.htm

It says they are the official shoes of the Chinese team.

I think I may give them a try :D

$12US???? That's overpriced :D

oh memories:) my dragon fly shoes, i wear them to school many many moons ago, very comfortable shoes.

Yes! Dragonflys!
There was a time you could tell a badminton player by his shoes!

The cushioning really sucked - wonder how we even managed...

Yes! Dragonflys!
There was a time you could tell a badminton player by his shoes!

The cushioning really sucked - wonder how we even managed...
they're still better than going barefeet like some people advocate

The guy who is currently ranked as the #2 singles player in the USA (Piotr Mazur) swears by the Baiky shoe. He wears them exclusively.

Ok, the ashaway shoes are finally wearing down... time to change shoes...
On two whims, I bought both the Mizuno (first) and the SHB99....

Think i'd be able to finally decide which is better for me...