Badminton Shoes Victor A950LTD Reviews

Joyce October 8, 2024 0

Recommending shoes has always been a “technical job” that requires ample wearing experience and a heartfelt approach tailored to different suitable groups of people.

Generally speaking, for badminton players who don’t overly demand heavy weight support or strong shock absorption, I personally believe that Victor’s shoes have a very low trial-and-error rate. The overall impression of Victor’s shoes for me is one word: “Stable”!

However, if you have certain requirements for shock absorption or feel that the traditional EVA feel has become boring, then the 9200 II equipped with E-TUP can be considered a top-tier newcomer among Victor’s recent shoes with good reviews and few negative comments. Although its appearance may not be as striking as the first generation, its performance is truly impressive!

But today, we’re talking about the A950LTD, a speed-oriented shoe that targets those with a moderate budget but high demands for aesthetics, falling into the mid-to-slightly-above-mid-tier category.

Strengths – Appearance

The A950LTD features a pure white color scheme as its main attraction, with the shoe tongue, laces, and inner lining adorned in a dynamic and festive Ferrari red. The gold-embossed model logo elevates the overall class of the shoe, making it a personal favorite of mine compared to others.

Thoughtful Shoe Last Design

Each pair of Victor badminton shoes clearly indicates the shoe last width with the letter “E,” and the shoe last taper with U/V. The larger the prefix number, the wider the shoe last. U indicates a rounder toe box, while V represents a more compact and snug fit with enhanced wrapping.

The A950LTD offers a similar on-foot feel to the A960 but with a more spacious shoe chamber distribution. Those with wider forefeet are advised to choose the 950WACE, the 4E wide-last version. The synthetic leather upper bends smoothly, making the transition period for new shoes negligible.

Its slender design makes the shoe appear more streamlined and less bulky when worn. The asymmetric upper design enhances the shoe’s fit to the foot, but those with high insteps should choose carefully.

Weight

The A950LTD weighs 310.5g per shoe in size 265mm. Both shoes’ weights fall below my personal threshold for lightweight shoes (≤350g per shoe in size 265mm), so the A950LTD meets the lightweight standard.

Outsole Pattern Design

The outsole pattern design continues the prototype pattern of the A960, paired with solid-color non-slip rubber, ensuring excellent grip performance.

LS-S Anti-Rollover Design

With a low center of gravity, the shoe excels in anti-skid ability. The midsole ingeniously incorporates high-strength TPU in an “embedded” form, while the LS-S lateral stability system, Victor’s signature technology, provides robust support and protection during high-speed lateral movements in badminton, effectively preventing side slips and ensuring safety.

ENERGYMAX3.0 + NEO DUPLEX Dual-Density Midsole

The heel cushioning feels soft, and the overall shock absorption is superior to the P9200, which focuses more on protection. The drop-cushioning rebound performance is outstanding. With a similar dual-density wedge midsole design (featuring Feather Elastic EVA + ENERGYMAX3.0), its cushioning performance is close to that of the A960, offering a light and springy feel with stable support without feeling soft. The shock absorption is impeccable and suitable for players of all weights.

Breathability

Due to the A950LTD’s predominantly synthetic design, its shoe surface extensibility and durability are indeed higher than the P9500 and on par with the P9200. However, the shoe’s breathability is noticeably inferior to the P9500. In hot summer months, I recommend having a pair of Victor’s speed-oriented S82 shoes as a backup.

Durability

Compared to the P9500, the A950LTD’s overall wear resistance is indeed better, on par with the P8510 and P9200. The V-Durable+ anti-abrasion patch enhances both the shoe’s stability and the durability of the toe cap. After wearing for a month, the wear is almost undetectable, except that the white shoe surface is not very dirt-resistant.

Conclusion

With its outstanding appearance, multiple width and color options, and reasonable pricing (below three figures, with discounts bringing it to the 400-500 price range), the A950LTD boasts impressive practical performance, winning the favor of many consumers. The fresh and vibrant LTD version is captivating like a splash of color. The asymmetric upper design enhances the shoe’s fit to the foot but requires careful consideration for those with high insteps. Additionally, with its low center of gravity enhancing flexibility, attention should also be paid to ankle protection.

Although positioned as an all-rounder, the A950LTD is no less speedy than certain competitors and excels in shock absorption and aesthetics. I believe the upcoming Star Wars Dark Vader colorway will create another wave of enthusiasm.