Buy Kids Badminton Shoes: What Parents Should Check Before They Order
By Chinmy Leung | Last updated: November 2026
Quick answer: When buying kids badminton shoes, look for a non-marking indoor-court sole with appropriate grip, lateral support through the upper, and about a thumb's width of room at the toe as a practical starting point. CAN Pro Shop in Markham lists junior badminton shoes from Kumpoo and Yonex and ships to Canadian addresses; check each product page for current sizes and availability.
Your kid just got serious about badminton. They’ve been playing in running shoes, and you’ve noticed the squeak on the court turning into a slide.
Or they’ve outgrown last season’s pair already, and you’re wondering how much room to leave this time. Either way, it’s an easy spot to overbuy or underbuy.
Here’s what to check, starting with why the running shoes have to go.
Table of Contents
Why Running Shoes Fall Short on a Badminton Court
Sizing a Growing Foot Without Wasting Money
The Three Things to Check Before You Order
When Teens Outgrow the Junior Range
Why Running Shoes Fall Short on a Badminton Court
Running shoes are designed primarily for forward motion, with cushioning and outsoles intended for activities such as road running and treadmill use.
Badminton involves lunges, pivots, sudden stops and side-to-side pushes. Running shoes may not provide the same lateral support or indoor-court outsole. For regular badminton, a properly fitted shoe designed for indoor court movement is the more appropriate choice.
There’s a second reason, and gyms will often raise it before you do: most indoor courts require non-marking soles. Running shoes frequently aren’t, and a pair that leaves scuffs on a gym floor can get a child turned away from a session.
Sport-specific shoes are designed around the movements of that sport. Children's feet also grow, so check fit regularly rather than buying a court shoe too far ahead of the foot.
Sizing a Growing Foot Without Wasting Money
This is the part that costs parents money, so it’s worth doing properly.
Measure your child standing up, on a hard flat floor, wearing the socks they’ll actually play in. Standing matters: a foot measured sitting down reads shorter than it is under load.
Then work through this:
Measure both feet and buy for the larger one. Most children have a difference between feet, and the larger one sets the size.
Compare the measurement to our size chart, not to their last pair. Sizing varies between brands, and a EUR 34 in one maker isn’t a EUR 34 in another. The measurement in centimetres is the reliable number.
Press your thumb at the toe. As a practical starting point, look for about a thumb's width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. This allows some room without deliberately choosing an oversized shoe.
Check every month or two again. Not just when you buy — every month or two. Growth spurts don’t wait for the end of a season, and a shoe that fit in September can be too tight by November.
Don't buy two sizes up. A shoe that is too big lets the foot slide inside it and reduces the secure fit you want for lateral movement. Use the larger foot and the brand's measurement chart to choose.
If you're between sizes or your child is in a growth spurt, ask for help rather than choosing a loose pair that does not fit securely now.
The Three Things to Check Before You Order
Once you have the size right, check these.
Grip. Look for an indoor court sole, and check it’s non-marking. A good one grabs the floor on a lunge instead of skating.
Lateral support. Badminton is side-to-side movement. The upper should hold the foot steady through quick direction changes rather than letting it roll over the edge of the sole.
Weight. Lighter shoes can feel less cumbersome for younger players; compare the listed weight alongside fit and support.
The Junior Pairs We Stock
Our junior badminton shoes collection includes Kumpoo and Yonex models. Sizes, colours and stock change, so check the individual product page before you choose.
From Kumpoo, junior models listed at the time of writing include the KHS-J10 and KHS-J20. Compare the closure, cushioning, outsole, measurements and current price on each product page.
From Yonex, junior models listed at the time of writing include the SHB210JRCR, SHB500JRCR, SHB101JRCR and SHB220JRCR. Availability varies by model and size, so the product page is the place to confirm.
If your child has a preference about colour, let them have it. A pair they want to wear is a pair they’ll actually put on.
When Teens Outgrow the Junior Range
Taller teens generally move into adult sizing, and our adult badminton shoe collection carries the larger sizes. Adult court shoes offer variation in width, cushioning and sole construction, so check the specification and size chart rather than simply moving up a size. If you're unsure whether to stay within the junior range or move to adult, measure the foot and send us the number.
Try Them On in Markham
If you’d rather see the shoes before buying, we’re a badminton store in Markham, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bring your child in, let them try a few pairs, and have our team check the fit — with a growing foot, getting one fitting right teaches you what to look for on the next three.
Prefer not to make the trip? Order online, and we’ll ship to Canadian addresses. Orders of $399 CAD or more qualify for free standard shipping. In-stock orders are generally processed within 1–2 business days, and delivery is estimated at 1–6 business days depending on location and shipping method; pre-orders and peak periods can differ.
We’re an authorized retailer for Yonex, Victor, Kumpoo, and Li-Ning, so everything we sell is genuine. Our team can help you compare grip, fit and the listed junior options.
FAQ
Q: What should I look for in kids badminton shoes?
A: A non-marking indoor-court sole appropriate for the facility, lateral support through the upper, a secure fit, and about a thumb's width of toe room as a practical starting point. Court shoes are designed for the lateral movements of badminton rather than straight-ahead running.
Q: How much room should kids have in badminton shoes?
A: As a practical starting point, allow about a thumb’s width between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Too much room can let the foot slide; too little can feel cramped. Check the fit regularly as your child grows.
Q: Can my child use running shoes for badminton?
A: A first casual session may not require a new pair, but regular play calls for properly fitted, non-marking indoor-court shoes that support lateral movement. Check the facility's footwear rules.
Q: Where can I buy badminton shoes near me in the GTA?
A: We’re a badminton store in Markham, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can bring your child in and try pairs on. If you’d rather buy badminton shoes in Markham without the trip, order online and we’ll ship across Canada.
Q: Does CAN Pro Shop ship kids badminton shoes across Canada?
A: Yes. We ship from Markham to Canadian addresses, and orders of $399 CAD or more qualify for free standard shipping. Eligible regular-price online orders can be requested for return within 30 days of delivery if shoes are unworn, with tags and original packaging, and proof of purchase is provided. Approved refunds are issued as store credit only, and customers are responsible for approved return shipping costs. Sale and clearance items are final sale; check the refund policy for all exclusions. Product pages control current sizes, colours and prices.
Measure both feet, use about a thumb's width as a starting fit check, and check again as your child grows. Then browse the junior badminton shoes collection with your measurements in hand. If you're between two sizes, send us the numbers and we'll help compare the available options.
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