[Review Experience] Original Review of P9210 Badminton Shoes

Joyce September 9, 2024 0

If you ask me what’s the most important equipment for playing badminton, it’s not the racket that ranks first, but a pair of professional badminton shoes. As a sport involving 360-degree foot movement, high-frequency stepping and landing, and intense jumping, badminton puts significant pressure on the ankles and knees. Thus, having a pair of badminton shoes with exceptional support and cushioning is particularly important.

As a loyal fan of V Brand, apart from trying out new rackets, trying new shoes is my second favorite activity. I believe that V Brand shoes are the only ones among the top three brands that excel in durability, performance, and comfort. Their flagship shoes range from 8500 to A920 (ACE) and my beloved S81. I’ve also tried models like P9100 and SH9000ACE. With my S81 about to retire, I got my hands on the newly released P9210 and have worn it for about a month, playing three games per week, each lasting 3-4 hours. Here’s my review to greet you all in advance for the new year.

First Impression

Upper – Soft on the outside, sturdy within

At first glance, over 50% of the P9210’s upper is made of mesh fabric, which is lighter and more breathable than the PU leather used in the previous P9200. It employs a double-layered reinforced mesh that deforms less during lateral stretching, providing stronger foot support during movements.

The outer side of the upper uses hot-melt technology to enhance the strength of the mesh, improving stability and support in areas prone to deformation during lateral movements and sudden stops. Coupled with the mature technology of the mesh fabric, the upper provides ample support despite its lightweight design.

Midsole – Already excellent in cushioning, it shines with rebound

The P9210’s midsole continues the segmented design for the forefoot and heel. The forefoot uses a harder, lightweight EVA material that provides a clear and quick rebound feedback during push-off. The heel employs a softer shock-absorbing EVA material for a softer feel, absorbing excess vibrations and reducing pressure on the ankles and knees.

Upgrades from the P9200 include replacing the EnergyMax3.0 in the heel with the more elastic EnergyMaxV material first introduced in the P9510, enhancing shock absorption during large strides while providing instant rebound.

The NEO DUPLEX heel with a dual-density midsole, which I’ve loved since the A920, is also present in the 9210. It combines ENERGYMAX V with the midsole at a 7-degree angle to balance energy absorption and stability support. It supports leg movements in line with the angle between the leg and the ground and provides shock protection for the outer heel during steps and landings.

Outsole – Every groove serves its purpose optimally

The P9210 retains the outsole pattern of the P9200, differing from the radial element pattern of the P8510 designed for weight reduction. The P9210’s outsole features extensive slip-resistant strips, with through-the-sole zigzag strips on the outer sole and slip-resistant strips on the inner heel, providing slip resistance during lateral movements. The lateral diagonal stripes on the inner sole work in conjunction with the multi-directional circular patterns for optimal grip.

The outsole of the P9210 clearly defines the slip-resistant function for each area, unlike the one-size-fits-all approach of the P8510. The only drawback is that it doesn’t adopt the colorful rubber outsole design of the 9200, which was visually appealing.

Second Assessment

Wrap

Thanks to the knitted fabric upper, the P9210 allows for slight deformation and better puffiness. Coupled with the V-shaped toe box that suits my foot shape, the overall wrap is very comfortable, especially in the forefoot area, where there’s no obvious sense of oppression or friction. However, during lateral movements, the shoe provides stable wrap without large-scale deformation.

Support

Despite the extensive use of mesh fabric, the P9210’s double-layered reinforcement and hot-melt coating technologies prevent severe deformation during lateral movements, sudden stops, and push-offs, providing even support for the feet. The ankle support plate also offers ample support for the ankle area.

Cushioning

As a P-series shoe, the P9210’s midsole is noticeably thicker after getting used to the thinner midsoles of A-series and S-series shoes. The soft and shock-absorbing heel provides a sinking and wrapping feeling when standing still. During gameplay, it demonstrates not only excellent shock absorption but also remarkable rebound after impact absorption. Whether during lunges or landings after jumps, you can feel the heel sinking into the sole, being wrapped, absorbing shock, and then rebounding.

Starting Ability

Poor starting ability has always been a common issue with stability-focused shoes like the P-series, as the added weight for improved stability and cushioning inevitably affects agility. However, the P9210 has made significant improvements in this aspect compared to other P-series shoes. The lightweight mesh upper reduces starting burden, while the angled midsole design and more elastic EnergyMaxV material provide a more fitting and powerful push-off feedback. Although it can’t match the swift starting of shoes like the S81/S80, for a stability-focused shoe, being average in speed is already the best performance.