[Review Experience] The Nearly Perfect Battle Boots in My Heart – Review of Victor S82 II for Actual Combat

Joyce September 7, 2024 2 0

Last year at the end of the year, I already wrote a review of the new colorway of the S82 generation. The S82 generation gave me an overall pretty good impression, with its lightweight, excellent wrap, and cushioning performance, all meeting my requirements. Shortly after, I learned that the S82 II version was coming out. To be honest, when I saw the spy photos of the S82 II, its more appealing design already piqued my interest. Over the following months, I eagerly anticipated its arrival

Arrival and First Impression:
Finally, in this hopeful spring, I received it. I remember that day I was still sleeping late when the deliveryman called to urge me to pick up the package. Realizing it was the much-anticipated S82 II, I, a nearly 30-year-old man, excitedly ran all the way to the post office like a child. I then rushed straight to the badminton court, and when I opened the outer packaging and lifted the shoebox, my lips couldn’t help but curl up, almost reaching my eyes. My first impression? Impressive! Very impressive!! Damn impressive!!! Victor’s designers finally got their aesthetics right. This is what beauty is! Beauty is justice! Beauty is right! I chose the bright white with a small silver trim, a refreshing colorway that I believe suits most people’s tastes. Additionally, the white with small orange trim colorway of the S82 II is also quite attractive, and I plan to buy another pair in that color. However, the bright blue upper colorway doesn’t appeal to me.

Appearance and Materials:
The bright white with small silver trim S82 II I chose has a clean and fresh main tone of bright white, complemented by touches of silver, making it less monotonous. The outsole’s main color is cyan, with a black carbon plate and an orange TPU piece next to it, adding a youthful and lively touch to the overall color scheme. Unlike the first generation, the material distribution of the S82 II’s upper is more reasonable. The upper features a large area of lightweight and breathable jacquard mesh cloth, while some specific areas prone to distortion during movement are reinforced with appropriate amounts of PU synthetic leather, ensuring support performance. It’s worth mentioning that the S82 II looks even better in person than in the product catalog or official images.

Weight:
I wear a size 39.5, and the weight of a single shoe is 288.5g, 1.2g lighter than the first-generation S82 I reviewed last time. So, from a weight perspective, this slight difference is negligible, and the second generation can be said to maintain the standard of the first generation.

Fit and Comfort:
Putting the shoes on, I was immediately impressed by their fit. The last shape of the S82 II is the same as that of the first generation, which I find to be standard. My feet are of a standard shape, and the internal space feels extremely comfortable and reasonable, with accurate sizing, eliminating concerns about being too large or too small. I must praise a significant advantage of the S82 series: its exceptional internal space. Many shoes I’ve worn in the past either had excellent wrap but cramped my toes or were comfortable for my toes but lacked wrap. The S82, both generations, perfectly addresses this issue. When worn normally, there’s just the right amount of space for my toes to move, without any oppressive feeling on my instep, yet it doesn’t feel loose during actual play. I emphasized this excellent feature in my review of the first-generation S82, and I’m delighted to see it retained in the second generation.

Performance in Actual Combat:

Wrap: The wrap of the S82 II maintains the standard of the first generation, especially around the ankles, where the material is just right, neither too thick nor too thin. During actual play, the wrap is flawless, with no instability even during sharp starts or changes of direction.

Upper Support: This aspect deserves special mention, as it’s often overlooked in reviews. Upper support is closely related to the leather material used. For example, the p9200 series features a large and thick leather upper, providing stable support and relieving pressure on the instep and arch during prolonged play. However, this comes at the cost of breathability and significantly increases the shoe’s weight. In terms of upper support, the S82 II is noticeably improved over the first generation. It uses the latest jacquard mesh cloth, which, compared to the double-layer breathable mesh of the first generation, feels more supportive. Additionally, the S82 II has leather reinforcement at crucial bending points, making the upper support of the first generation pale in comparison.

Torsional Rigidity: When it comes to torsional rigidity, many people immediately think of carbon plates or twisting the shoe like a rope. However, testing torsional rigidity requires actual play. Simply twisting the shoe cannot accurately determine its performance. Good torsional rigidity should provide sufficient support and protection within the deformation space of the sole during movement. The S82 II fully meets my requirements in this regard, remaining stable throughout several singles matches.

Outsole Cushioning: The outsole of the S82 II is significantly better than that of the first generation. Thanks to the ENERGYMAX V energy pad at the forefoot and heel, every push feels like stepping on clouds. However, the outsole of badminton shoes cannot be too soft, as it would compromise torsional rigidity and increase the risk of injury during intense play. The thickness and hardness of the S82 II’s outsole are just right, balancing between lightness, stability, and cushioning. Although not ultra-light, the S82 II excels in other areas often lacking in speed-oriented shoes: its sole is neither too hard nor too soft but quite bouncy. Its overall outsole performance ranks among the top three of all the shoes I’ve worn.

Grip: In recent years, some new shoe models from major brands have suffered from poor grip, leading to slipping. Grip is an essential aspect of my testing, and the S82 II performs just as well as the first generation, providing ample security during large strides and second starts.

Durability: Durability requires time to test. The S82 II’s toe cap is reinforced with a wear-resistant TPU film. After multiple singles matches, there are no noticeable wear marks despite friction from dragging. Moreover, dust sticks to the TPU film easily but can be wiped off effortlessly, which is more reliable than using leather directly on the toe cap, which can peel and attract dust that’s difficult to remove.

Suitable for: I believe the S82 II’s last shape suits most foot shapes and weights, making it less picky about foot types. It’s also suitable for players of various styles, from aggressive attackers to controlled players who rely on lifting and dropping shots, saving energy.

Conclusion: Compared to the first generation, the S82 II retains its strengths while optimizing areas for improvement. Positioned as a speed-oriented shoe, it strikes a balance between lightness and stability. In my opinion, the S82 II is faster when you need it to be and stable when you need stability. Whether you consider it a speed-oriented or a versatile, stable shoe, it’s hard to find fault. Personally, the S82 II excels in both appearance and performance, making it one of the most satisfying shoes I’ve worn in recent years.

Additional Thoughts on the White with Orange Trim Sock-Fit Version:
After wearing the white with silver trim version for a night, I immediately ordered the sock-fit version. Here are a few differences between the two colorways: At the same size, the sock-fit version feels more spacious inside, almost like it’s half a size larger. I find the wrap of the white with silver trim version superior. Additionally, the cushioning inside the toe cap of the sock-fit version is thinner, making the toes less comfortable compared to the white with silver trim version. These differences may be due to individual variation, but based on my experience, I recommend the white with silver trim version. Feel free to consider this when choosing your colorway.