Looking to Buy a Racket or Shoes? You Need to Know These 2 Lesser-Known Facts!

Jayce September 3, 2024 1 0

Foot Measuring Device

Why We Set Up Our Own Foot Shape System

Each person’s foot shape is unique, with differences even between the left and right foot. Some people have narrow feet, while others have wider, more rounded, or more pointed feet. For everyday shoes, it’s often enough to match the shoe size, but because badminton involves intense footwork, the shoe’s fit is crucial. The ideal way to develop and produce a pair of badminton shoes is to custom-make them for each consumer, but this isn’t feasible at present. Therefore, in Q1 2017, VICTOR introduced its latest innovation—a professional foot measuring device—at a brand conference. This tool was designed to create a foot shape system that informs the development of each shoe model, aiming to meet the needs of most consumers.

Why We Need a Foot Measuring Device

Modern sports place a high emphasis on how well shoes fit the foot. However, knowing the different lasts and widths of a product isn’t enough to choose the right badminton shoes. It’s difficult for consumers to accurately gauge their foot shape or width through visual inspection or simple measurement. That’s why we’ve introduced a professional foot measuring device that visualizes the data to help consumers choose the most suitable product. The kit consists of two parts: a foot-shaped mat to determine foot type and a device to accurately measure foot length and width.

VICTOR Foot Shape System

VICTOR has categorized the general population’s foot shapes into five types:

Type 1: Second toe is the longest, foot shape is pointed and slender.
Type 2: Second toe is also the longest, with the first toe inclined inward, creating a pointed shape.
Type 3: First toe is the longest, with a more rounded foot shape.
Type 4: The first two toes are of equal length, with the other toes gradually shortening towards the little toe.
Type 5: The first three toes are nearly the same length, with a squarer, wider foot shape.

The toe line shape varies among these five foot types, which also differ in width. The first two types are classified as V-shaped, while the last three are U-shaped.

Swing Weight Machine

A badminton racket’s weight, balance point, and swing weight are crucial parameters that define its performance. In 2016, VICTOR led the industry by introducing the WBS10 swing weight machine. Originally designed for top athletes, this technology was extended to amateur players to help them select the right racket and enjoy professional-level service.

Professional badminton players are more sensitive to racket characteristics than the average consumer. With 48 years of expertise in badminton, VICTOR, as a professional equipment supplier, uses the swing weight machine to measure racket parameters, minimizing differences between individual rackets to ensure consistent feel across each one.