0

Your Cart is Empty

May 21, 2025 2 min read

New to badminton? The right gear makes your first steps fun, not frustrating. You need a racket, grip, and shuttlecocks that welcome you to the sport—no pro-level complexity, just solid basics. Here’s your starter guide, with Volant Badminton leading the way.

Rackets first. Medium-weight (82g-87g) is your sweet spot—light enough to swing, strong enough to hit. All of Volant’s rackets come in both 82g (4U) and 88g (3U) weight and we have three different balance points in our S1 Range: 

  • Head Light Balance: a lighter feel that's easier to manoeuvre
  • Head Heavy Balance: a heavier feel for more power 
  • Even Balance: somewhere in between for an all-rounder racket

(Note that regardless of balance point, the overall racket still weighs in at 82g for 4U and 88g for 3U)

A racket shouldn't be too stiff too, as this is less forgiving when the shot is not timed perfectly in the swing. All of our Volant rackets have a medium level of stiffness which means that it's not too stiff, and not too flexible. 

Badminton Beginner Racket

Badminton Strings also matter, and the tension of the strings too. It can get fairly complicated so here's another article if you want to read in a little more. All of the rackets in our S1 Range come with customised stringing - but don't worry if you're not sure. We can help out with that - just select "Standard String" and "Standard Selection" in the dropdown menu or send us a message!

Grips next - synthetic overgrips (1.5-1.8mm) add tackiness and cushioning, keeping your hand steady. Volant’s overgripswick sweat and look sharp—perfect for long rallies.

Black Badminton Racket Overgrip Grip
Image: VOLANT Polyurethane Over Grip

Shuttlecocks seal the deal. Plastic shuttles are quite often used by beginners, and while they're durable and an okay start to your badminton journey, feather shuttlecocks enhance your playing experience dramatically - even if you are just starting out. We have a different range of shuttlecocks - to choose from. 

Apparel, socks & bags:Volant Badminton’s gear is built for newcomers—functional, stylish, and fuss-free, like Lululemon for yoga. Get gear that isn't breaking the bank, but will last session after session. 

And that's it! Skip the overwhelm—check our shop and get started on court without over-complicating things!

Not sure what racket is right for you?  Just do a 30-second badminton racquet quiz that will help you choose the badminton racquet that best suits you? Click below!

Badminton Racquet Choosing Quiz

We'd love to hear your opinions, comments, tips and tricks so please feel free to comment below. If you would like us to write about something in particular, please let us know!

Jeff Tho
Jeff Tho

Jeff is an ex-international badminton player who represented Australia at the Commonwealth Games (twice as a player & once as a coach), World Championships, All England Championships and multiple Thomas and Sudirman Cups. He was the Australian National Coach, Senior State Head Coach and is the co-founder of Volant badminton & The Badminton Podcast. Jeff is extremely passionate about building the worldwide badminton community & showing the world how incredible our sport really is.


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in The Volant Badminton Blog & Community

Badminton Shuttlecock for social play
How to Care for Your Badminton Shuttlecocks to Maximise Their Lifespan

July 17, 2025 2 min read

Shuttlecocks aren’t cheap, and replacing them constantly stings the wallet. With a little care, though, you can stretch their lifespan and keep your game flying high. Whether you’re using feather or nylon, here’s how to make them last—plus why Volant Badminton’s options are worth your shot.

Read More
Badminton restringing
Badminton Strings: How Often Should You Restring Your Racket?

June 25, 2025 2 min read

Strings wear out—it’s a fact of badminton life. Slack, frayed, or snapped strings kill your shots, so knowing when to restring keeps you sharp. How often depends on your play, and here’s how to figure it out—plus why Volant Badminton’s gear makes it easy.

Read More
Badminton Shuttlecocks 101: Feather vs. Plastic – Which is Right for You?
Badminton Shuttlecocks 101: Feather vs. Plastic – Which is Right for You?

April 10, 2025 2 min read

Shuttlecocks might look simple, but they’re the heartbeat of badminton. Every rally, every smash, every delicate drop shot hinges on how that little projectile flies. If you’re new to the sport—or even a regular player—you’ve got a choice to make: feather or plastic? Let’s dive into the details so you can pick the right one for your game.

Read More