A golden-ratio drop of 9mm
Thick soles deliver better shock-absorbing ability and comfortable wearing experience than thin soles, which provides better cushioning while landing, especially for players who make heavy footwork. However, the setting of the drop (the height difference of the sole from the back to the front) plays a crucial role in enabling thick-soled shoes to facilitate the smooth footwork in badminton. The smaller the drop is, the smoother the lateral movement can be achieved. Meanwhile, the weight of the shoes, the starting speed, and the stability should also be taken into account in the design. Based on the data collected from trying out and computing analysis, VICTOR has found that the drop of 9mm not only makes lateral movement smoother, but also facilitates badminton footwork.