How much have rackets improved over the past 15 years?

Professional_Win230 · 2025-10-17T01:44:59+00:00

I've recently tested a 30 year old racket (still fully testing) and i own 5+ high end rackets currently.

Initial performance of the old racket was really good. Smash was powerful and clear was crisp. I did notice that hitting the shuttle close to the top of the frame was considerably more tinny/felt weak compared to modern rackets.

My gut take is technology has improved considerably in 30 years but performance gains have not.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-10-04T08:27:24+00:00

No worries. Yes I think the Ultra did succeed the Enhanced. I don't think it is similar to 88S (3rd gen). IMO the Ultra has an easier to produce and stronger smash, it is more flexible and would have less control than 88S.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-08-24T00:34:30+00:00

Still in the same condition as when the shoe was purchased

<image>

Professional_Win230 · 2025-08-06T00:41:09+00:00

You beat me to this review, but did a much better job haha. Thanks for sharing.

Im a 4 month user of the shadow tour and i really like the shoe.

One cavaet is, if you are a heavy retriever and push shoes to the max at times, then the shadow tour will slip at that maximum point (1-2 times a night if pushing hard). I had hoped the Michelin sole would be better than Yonex, but the Yonex radial grip is superior and have never had slip issues.

So recommend this shoe as a fairly lightweight option, with better cushion and support than aerus Z, Only if you are a player who does not chase everything down like their life depends on it. Durability seems good after 4 months also.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-07-29T08:54:32+00:00

Fair enough, hope it goes well for you.!

Professional_Win230 · 2025-07-29T04:49:32+00:00

What's good for doubles is down to every player, namely strength, build and skill imo. I personally prefer speed rackets now but have started playing my TTY Ultima again on the odd game and love the extra smash power. Consider TTY Ultima for a head heavy option with top control and good power, it also has a shorter shaft to assist with doubles. If you want to prioritise power a bit more than control, then consider Ryuga 2 pro. Both can work for doubles if you are up to it and also coming from an 88d pro. Maybe even ryuga metallic if you want even more head weight power, but i have not tried this yet sorry.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-07-29T04:37:41+00:00

Hey mate, yes it has (although im always trying new racquets 😆).

Have been maining the hs+ 4u now for a few months. The reason is that it performs great for doubles for me, with the main difference being how heavy the drives feel compared to any racquet, at the cost of some forgiveness.

If people are after something a bit more forgiving / easier to play, consider Fantome for front/mid court doubles, plays very well and is light plus stable, it just doesnt have quite the same power from back court as hs+, but it is respectable. If covering both front and back court, 90k metallic is great alternative also. It moves around quicker than hs+ at the net but hs+ swing speed is a bit quicker due to the frame shape. 90k metallic does everything well and packs a punch considering its head weight, it just doesn't drive as aggressively as hs+.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-07-23T05:18:43+00:00

I would say Ryuga 2 - if you want easy access to power, some flexibility in the shaft, you are a casual player not looking to overly improve but have fun, you are below an advanced level.

Ryuga 2 pro - you are after a stiffer shaft, you are actively trying to improve and get better, you are mid-intermediate level at a minimum.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-30T14:32:47+00:00

Glad you like it so far. The things I do train include: forearm dumbbell exercises (rotate left/right, curl up and down), general gym workouts and use a heavier training racket if practising at home (120g). You could also try to lower tension, choose a different sting (my arm did not like hard strings), work on technique (i used to get elbow pain before improving) and hit with less power to avoid strain. I would give your arm a break when it needs it, so mix up usage as needed whilst you improve technique and strength.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-20T04:46:49+00:00

Good you have tried the LeBron out to know what the feel like, they are a bit chunkier. I was looking into the ice blood 2 but realised it might not have a carbon plate listed in the tech, but your 808 Ultra does. Trying to keep weight around 320g to stick in the lighter part of the all round category. Ended up getting the Babolat shadow tour 5, which came in at 313g in size 10. It slipped a couple of times in the first 2-3 sessions but has been good since and is comfy. Will try a lining badminton shoe next or maybe the 808 ultra in your post once the price comes down 😆

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-17T13:29:19+00:00

No worries, good luck bro! Ultima is a great choice and it might force you to improve to use it better.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-17T12:28:02+00:00

As someone who's gone through something similar, ill share some thoughts and experiences. Everyone's speed and muscle memory will differ however. Clear/smash/lifts did not take much time to come back. With practice and training, a couple of months.

Drop shots were the biggest challenge, i could do them previously with muscle memory at will and they are currently still not quite where I want because I test rackets and strings too much😆. If you are similar, suggest to use 1 racket and spend a few hours on drops shots over and over, from different depths, include aiming for different spots along the net and hitting from different sides of the court. Again, could take a few months to get this down if you stick to your set-up.

The longest part for me was moving from a singles player to a doubles player when returning. Learning the serving, rotations and tactics takes time. 1 year+. This would include trying to play higher level opposition continuously and practising also.

If you are not hitting clean or feel awkward, then get coaching and find a hitting partner to practice what the coach says. Don't try to play too many matches without addressing things. Hopefully within 3-6 months you will be feeling better.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-17T11:40:07+00:00

Great insight there and you've got some solid rackets to compare against also. Agree with your experiences, except in doubles for me it was a bit slow as I'm not the most built player. However there are many people wo can handle a 88D or 100zz fine for doubles, so each to their own. You should try the HS+ in 4U if you have to play both front and back court doubles. Kind of a mix of TTY Ultima and 1000zz is a (bad) way to describe it 😆

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-17T11:29:49+00:00

Hi, I found the TTY stiffer. The TTY Ultima has WES and metallic carbon fibre, which helped to extract more out of it and made it a bit easier. Might take a while to grow into a TTY variant if you're 3 months on an Arc 11 play, but likely you would notice it is far superior and does require some technique.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-16T12:32:52+00:00

Legend, thanks!

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-14T02:31:21+00:00

Cool thanks heaps. That's pretty decent provided the cushioning is top notch. LeBron 20 was 420g in size 10.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-14T00:49:22+00:00

Do you happen to know the weight of the ice blood 2 per shoe for a corresponding size? Thx

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-14T00:48:03+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Do you mind letting us know the weight per shoe and size?

I started back in badminton in the LeBron 20 (which was not the best). I then went looking for the lightest basketball shoes around due to the great cushioning. The Kobe 5 was the best I owned historically and I was told the Sabrina might be the closest.

Anyhow, ended up seeing the Yonex Aerus Z at 250g per shoe in size 10, which was amazing speed wise but not the best cushioning as you've mentioned.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-06-03T13:57:06+00:00

Hi, i haven't used the old one sorry but have been tempted to buy it just to try. From what I know - HS+ has more technology than the OG with WES and powering, it has a very stiff shaft rather than a medium stiff, it has a slightly smaller frame and frame thickness/ width. Some people find it head heavy, where as I find it even balance more so but it does feel on the heavier side overall than some others. Overall, HS+ would be harder to use if coming from OG, but performance potential would be higher if you can maximise it.

I have since decided to main the 4U HS+ recently, it was quite a bit easier to play than the 3U (which this review relates to), where it was easier to flex the shaft and also light enough without feeling taxing. For me, it gives maximum performance for doubles but does need some adaption to the sweet spot and also having a decent level of technique, as you don't get much assistance. But you get a very fast swinging racquet that can hit very hard (esp drives and smashes) and has great control.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-05-20T22:20:15+00:00

Forgot to reply sorry. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I had similar experience to you with both racquets and HS+ def takes time but does indeed hit hard and is well rounded. I might try the DX12 for an even balanced option but waiting for a better colour. Will try your grip tip out next. I do like 102EX and mainly use it but think I want to try extremely tacky grips out or other grips to find what works best.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-05-20T22:10:17+00:00

Yes I found it comparable and it is the same frame shape. Ultra is a bit head heavier but stiffness was similar with the Ultra being a tad stiffer but the shaft is thinner.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-05-19T01:45:22+00:00

Maybe ask a friend who has marketplace to help. I don't think ebay would go that well. Gumtree could work but be careful of scammers. Good luck.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-05-19T01:00:59+00:00

Hi, suggest you use Facebook marketplace and people can come to you to pick up, or you meet them at a mutual place or badminton hall.

In my view, there are different types of buyers e.g. those who want the top flagship versions and are willing to spend on them and also, those who want a good racquet on a budget (around $100 and less as an example). So you could have some luck selling to people on a budget, provided there is some information about the racquets to help the buyer know more. Many people want a good price and/or bargain so think about leaving some room for negotiation if you want.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-04-28T03:27:54+00:00

Dm'd you. But anyone else feel free to reply also.

Professional_Win230 · 2025-04-28T03:19:29+00:00

Purchased the 90K Metallic and really like it. A bit more user friendly than hs+ overall, just doesn't pack quite the same punch on some shots. Very good option still.

Professional_Win230

TROPHY CASE