By Justin Ma, 7x US Junior National Badminton Champion.
Last updated December 13, 2023
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4 min read
As a new player, joining a badminton club is an exciting first step in your journey.
But before you head to your first training session, you might wonder: What should I wear to badminton?
As a professional badminton player for 8 years (and 7x US Junior National Champion), I have received these questions many times. Like you, I used to wonder what the best clothes to wear for badminton are.
In this post, I’ll outline everything you’d ever wanted to know about wearing the right clothes for badminton.
As a quick overview:
| Category | Top | Bottom | Footwear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Lightweight, sweat-wicking T-shirt | Comfortable athletic shorts | Lightweight, supportive cushioning, well-ventilated, non-marking< |
| Women | Lightweight tank top or T-shirt | Comfortable athletic skirt, shorts, or leggings | Lightweight, supportive cushioning, well-ventilated, non-marking< |
| Tournament | Shirt of choice within tournament rules | Shorts or skirt of choice within tournament rules | Badminton shoes that follow tournament guidelines |
| Accessories | Sports headbands | Lightweight sports jacket | Athletic socks |
Let’s dive right in:
The good news is that casual badminton clubs typically don’t have a strict dress code. As long as you have a pair of athletic bottoms, a light top, and a good set of badminton shoes, you’re off to a great start.
With that in mind, it’s best to wear:
Tip: Badminton-specific brands like Yonex and Victor also make men’s and women’s apparel, but it’s easiest to find at specialty badminton stores like Badminton Warehouse.
If you’re shopping for badminton shoes, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a pair that’s:
While these are the basics, it’s even better if you can find shoes made for badminton. This is because they’re specifically designed to provide forward, backward, and lateral support. Plus, they usually offer extra foot and ankle stability compared to other athletic shoes.
Tip: It’s also essential that your badminton shoes are indoor-only, so that you won’t track mud or dirt onto the court.
Every competition has its own attire rules and guidelines. But like badminton clubs, tournaments nowadays usually have similar dress codes for men and women.
Most tournaments allow either gender to wear a shirt and shorts (or skirt) of their choice, as long as the clothing fits within their other rules. That said, many competitions do ban clothes that advertise other sports or non-badminton brands.
At higher-level events (and especially with sponsorships), the dress code might be more specific. At any rate, it’s always best to check with your tournament rulebook to get the details.
For women, a go-to outfit might be a lightweight tank top or T-shirt, paired with a comfortable athletic skirt, shorts, or leggings.
Some great options include:
Overall, you’ll want to opt for something comfortable that won’t restrict your movement. You’ll also want to stick to apparel with ample coverage, so you can focus on your game without any wardrobe concerns while jumping, twisting, lunging, and running.
What To Wear to Badminton: Men’s Clothing TipsMen’s guidelines are very similar to women’s — meaning that a good outfit might be a pair of shorts, a sweat-wicking tee, and comfortable shoes to protect your feet and ankles.
Some specific options include:
Ultimately, just be sure that your outfit is comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. You’ll also want to make sure that your clothes aren’t excessively baggy, so they won’t get in the way of your swing or footwork.
Aside from the basics, here are a few other accessories to help you stay dry and comfortable on the court:
Figuring out what to wear to badminton can feel daunting. Luckily, the rules are generally pretty lax when you’re playing at a local badminton club.
For both women and men, opt for light, sweat-wicking tops and bottoms to stay cool and unrestricted while you play. In addition, choose a solid pair of badminton shoes to protect your feet and ankles during high-impact jumps and lunges.
Ultimately, you’ll want to pick an outfit that’s comfortable, lightweight, and allows you to move freely — so you can focus all your energy on your game. Good luck!
