Badminton Shoes Victor A970ACE Reviews

Jayce October 9, 2024 7 0

Victor badminton shoes are divided into three main series: “P”, “A”, and “S”. Among them, the “A” series, which focuses on being “ALL-AROUND”, balances both performance and protection. Its comprehensive design meets the diverse needs of badminton players. In October 2022, the release of the A970ACE injected new vitality into this series of shoes.

Similar to the TK-Dragon Tooth II racket, which was released around the same time, the first colorway of the A970ACE featured a purple-black base, maintaining the same style as the racket. Both were initially designed with Lee Zii Jia, their main endorser, as the primary focus. Lee Zii Jia started wearing the black version of the A970ACE during the Tokyo World Championships in August 2022, and he continued to wear these shoes until the Hong Kong Open in September 2023, accompanying him on his competitive journey for over a year.

Later, two more refreshing and vibrant colorways were introduced for the A970ACE: Cirrus Blue and Atoll Blue. Players like Kenta Nishimoto, Zii Koo, Jexfield, and Tan Qiang have also worn the A970ACE on the court.

Favored by numerous professional players, what makes the A970ACE — the new flagship of the all-around type of shoes — stand out? And what are the impressions and opinions of amateur players about it? This article will delve into these details.

Appearance Review

The A970ACE I purchased is the black version, with an overall dark tone. The black and purple color combination gives off a deep, mysterious, and powerful vibe.

The shoe body predominantly features black, with dark purple used for the inner breathable mesh and heel cushion, while lighter shades of purple are applied to the midsole at the rear and the forefoot section of the outsole. The black and purple pairing works like a perfect duo, resembling a subtle and enchanting shadow in the night, exuding understated luxury and mysterious charm.

The A970ACE uses a laser-textured PU leather upper material, with a slight reflective laser effect embedded in the texture. Under light, it flows with a rainbow of colors, like a shadow dancing in the darkness. This adds a rich visual effect to the black upper while giving it a premium texture.

On the outer side of the shoe, the black base is complemented by light purple lines, with an interwoven texture hidden beneath, adding richness to the details.

The white Victor logo, brand name, and the “ALL AROUND” shoe series label stand out prominently.

Blue arrow-shaped patterns adorn both sides of the tongue, echoing the blue Victor logo and the tech name symbol on the front, providing a refreshing contrast in the dark tones — a perfect touch.

The top two lace holes are accented in purple, while the laces themselves are a blend of black and purple.

The model name “A970ACE” is printed in white in the center of the tongue, and the pull tab at the top of the tongue features the “VICTOR” logo once again.

At the heel, the pull tab, made from the same material as the one on the tongue, extends from the midsole to the top of the heel, with the white Victor logo printed on it.

Directly below is a black three-dimensional heel stabilizer, adorned with a combination of blue and purple on both sides. The external black stabilizing structure creates a louver-like effect, adding to its sense of mystery.

The LS-S lateral stability TPU insert at the midsole is undoubtedly the highlight and defining feature of the A970ACE. The dark purple surface, with its laser coating, reflects a spectrum of colors in low light, exuding an air of mystery.

The outsole of the A970ACE is made of solid rubber, with the black and purple combination continuing the shoe’s overall color scheme. The forefoot is primarily purple, while the outer side is black, distinguishing the grip and anti-slip zones. The heel is black, and a carbon plate is embedded in the midfoot. One side features the laser-coated LS-S lateral stability TPU, while the other side is paired with a purple rigid TPU counterpart.

Overall, the black A970ACE has a unique appearance, combining understated luxury with lasting appeal. Like a knight dashing through the night, it’s full of mystery, with an overwhelming sense of power and allure.

Technology Analysis

The A970ACE I have is size 43 (inner length 275mm). After actual measurement, the left shoe weighs about 336.38g, and the right shoe weighs about 336.80g. The weight variation is well-controlled, and this weight is fairly average for badminton shoes, fitting the positioning of an all-around shoe.

The A970ACE features a V2.5 standard last design, with a microfiber PU leather upper paired with a flexible inner lining. It provides comfortable wrapping for the foot while maintaining strong wear resistance. The soft texture allows smooth bending without easily causing deep wrinkles on the upper, ensuring good durability.

There are ventilation holes on the upper front and outer side of the shoe, while the inner side and heel area use breathable mesh fabric.

The inside of the toe box continues to use “V-Durable+” high-durability toe technology. The abrasion-resistant TPU film coating further enhances strength and durability, aligning with the footwork characteristics of badminton.

The tongue also uses thick materials like the upper, providing full comfort and coverage for the instep.

The heel uses solid materials, and the top has a cushion structure, enhancing ankle support and protection.

The pull tab design on both the heel top and tongue top makes it easier to put on and take off.

The addition of a three-dimensional heel stabilizer structure further enhances the heel’s wrapping effect and provides crucial stability, ensuring the wearer’s heel remains safe and stable during movement.

The A970ACE’s standout feature in structural design is the LS-S lateral stability system on the outer midfoot. The high-strength TPU insert extends from the midsole to the outer side, ensuring torsional stability while significantly enhancing the shoe’s lateral support, providing sufficient stability for lateral movements during intense competition.

In the midsole, the A970ACE is equipped with a three-dimensional carbon fiber plate, paired with the LS-S lateral stability TPU insert on the outer side and a TPU counterpart on the inner side. This ensures good torsional strength and stabilizes the midfoot area.

In Victor’s official introduction of the A970ACE, the term “new soul” is used. For badminton shoes, the midsole can be considered the “soul,” and the so-called “new soul” of the A970ACE refers to the use of HYPEREVA midsole material. HYPEREVA, a high-performance lightweight elastic EVA, is the flagship midsole material for Victor shoes, offering a soft, springy feel, excellent cushioning, and rebound performance, as well as outstanding durability.

The A970ACE uses HYPEREVA throughout the full midsole, combined with Solid EVA, and the heel section also has an embedded E-TPU energy pad. This greatly enhances the cushioning and rebound performance. Additionally, E-TPU, made from expanded polyurethane particles, offers excellent durability and is resistant to deformation even after prolonged use.

The A970ACE comes with an ENERGYMAX 3.0 insole, with a single insole weighing around 24.99g, which places it between the S99 from the “S” series and the P9200 AB from the “P” series.

After removing the insole, you can see the orange ENERGYMAX 3.0 energy pad in the heel section of the shoe’s interior. Together with the insole, it provides an excellent level of overall cushioning performance.

The A970ACE outsole uses VSR rubber with a circular anti-slip pattern. The majority of the forefoot and inner areas, which are the primary traction zones during movement, are made of solid purple rubber, while the outer anti-slip zone is marked and distinguished by black rubber.

The heel also uses solid black rubber, with different tread patterns on the rear and outer sides, designed to adapt to the heel’s impact during movements such as lunges.

On the outer side of the forefoot, the outsole extends slightly over the sides for better coverage.

Practical Experience

| Fit

As an all-around series shoe, it balances lightness and speed, but the A970ACE spares no expense with its upper material, which feels thick and substantial. The V-shaped last of the A970ACE is slightly narrow, providing just the right amount of wrap around the forefoot for players with slimmer feet. The snug fit on both sides offers a secure and safe feeling.

Additionally, the A970ACE’s upper material is very soft, and even as a new shoe, there is no discomfort. The upper fits snugly against the foot, bending smoothly during movements, and providing a soft and comfortable feel.

However, when selecting shoes, the match between the last and foot shape is very important. The V-shaped last of the A970ACE is well-suited for players with Egyptian foot shapes, offering just the right amount of space in the forefoot, making the toe area comfortable. But for other foot shapes, it may feel a bit tight, especially when lunging; too much or too little space in the forefoot can cause unnecessary impact upon landing, affecting comfort.Additionally, players with wider forefeet may find the sides of the forefoot area a bit tight when wearing the A970ACE.

At the heel, the A970ACE uses substantial materials, providing thick and comprehensive support around the ankle. The heel cushion design not only increases the wrap around the heel but also ensures comfort during movement, especially when lunging at the net. The cushioning behind the ankle offers support, enhancing stability and a sense of security.

However, despite the excellent wrap, the A970ACE has a slight drawback: its breathability is average. There are only a few ventilation holes on the forefoot and outer midfoot, and the use of breathable mesh on the inner side and heel is limited. This can cause the feet to feel hot after prolonged wear, especially in warm weather.

| Cushioning

During the experience, I found the most impressive aspect of the A970ACE to be its cushioning. It feels soft and springy, making each step feel bouncy and responsive during movement.

As a lighter player, I was very satisfied with the cushioning performance of the A970ACE. Even during explosive movements like jumping smashes from the backcourt, which generate significant impact, the cushioning provided by the A970ACE was more than adequate. As a result, there was no significant strain on the feet during extended play, making it comfortable and effortless.

How does the cushioning feel for heavier players? To get a more comprehensive reference, I invited several friends to try them in practice, and they also provided good feedback on the cushioning. During jump smashes, the non-racket foot landing felt the impact was effectively absorbed while quickly providing forward propulsion.

| Agility and Movement

The A970ACE’s forefoot sole is thinner than the heel, a common design in badminton shoes, allowing for quicker starts, which aligns with the footwork habits in badminton.

During initial contact with the ground, the soft and springy feel of the forefoot remains, and the court feel is not too vague. I would say the starting speed is average, but it shines in its stability, allowing quick direction changes even during second starts.

Especially in actual play, where we often start steps while moving—such as adjusting rhythm with a side step after landing from a backcourt return before accelerating towards the net—the A970ACE provides both stability and power. The experience is comfortable and suits real-world scenarios.

Overall, since the A970ACE is positioned as an all-around shoe, it needs to strike a balance between cushioning and court feel. Therefore, players who particularly value instant responsiveness or prioritize cushioning performance may not be too fond of the A970ACE, as it doesn’t excel in either area, but rather achieves a good compromise. If placed on a coordinate axis, I believe the A970ACE would lean towards the cushioning side, making it suitable for most recreational players’ comprehensive needs.

| Torsion Resistance

With the support of a carbon plate in the midfoot and a rigid TPU, the A970ACE continues Victor’s tradition of excellent torsion resistance. In actual play, the shoe remains stable underfoot, and there’s no disconnection between the forefoot and heel. As a result, it provides a great sense of security when performing various footwork, especially in intense singles matches, where quick turns and abrupt stops occur frequently. The A970ACE’s excellent torsion resistance ensures that foot movements remain steady and solid during these moments.

| Lateral Support

The TPU extending from the midsole to the sides of the A970ACE is designed to enhance lateral support, improving the shoe’s anti-rollover performance. This is quite noticeable during actual play, whether in lateral movement during midcourt defense or when executing footwork like the lunge after a backhand net shot or a defensive lunge from the forehand or backhand baseline. Upon landing, the outer side of the foot feels stable, with no significant displacement between the foot and the sole, giving a strong sense of security. The durability of the specially-shaped TPU is also excellent. After wearing the A970ACE for several months, the side TPU remains strong and reliable, demonstrating good protection.

However, the presence of the specially-shaped lateral support TPU might cause some discomfort on the sides of the feet. This is not noticeable when the shoes are new, but after wearing them for a while, as the upper softens and its strength decreases, this feeling becomes more apparent. For players with wider feet, they might feel something pressing against the middle-rear part of their foot during movements like jumping to the forehand side or the last step of rushing to the net. While not uncomfortable, it can cause a bit of unfamiliarity.

| Anti-Slip

The A970ACE’s outsole has excellent anti-slip performance, coupled with a slightly soft and springy feel. In actual play, the grip on the court felt solid, and I did not experience any slippage while wearing them.

Overall Evaluation

The A970ACE is a well-rounded badminton shoe that combines excellent cushioning and torsion resistance. From the midsole to the upper, every aspect of the A970ACE is thoughtfully designed, making it capable of meeting the demands of competitive play. It can be considered an all-around “hexagonal warrior.”

For basketball players who have high demands on cushioning performance and also attach great importance to the starting speed and other performances in actual combat, A970ACE with excellent comprehensive performance and no obvious shortcomings can be said to be the best choice; and for those who want to choose a shoe with outstanding protection performance including torsion resistance and support, but also maintain certain flexibility, A970ACE is also worth trying.

To sum up, from the dazzling appearance like a shadow raider to the ace posture that takes into account all aspects of performance, A970ACE has indeed reached the high standard of the “A” series all-round basketball shoes, and can meet the needs of different types of players with different requirements. Join hands with the dark knight and gallop on the court full of diverse possibilities!