SOTX badminton rackets: a rival for Yonex?

SOTX badminton rackets are a relatively new name in the world of badminton, yet they have been growing at a rapid rate in China. They have now entered the UK and US market, selling a wide range of badminton equipment such as rackets, shuttlecocks, bags, clothing and shoes. SOTX was formed in China in 2002 and now has many outlets in many major Chinese cities. SOTX has also expanded globally to 20 other countries and is extremely active in promoting the sport of badminton. This can only be good for our sport, the additional competition hurts no one and can help lower costs for those who buy badminton rackets.

I guess it was inevitable that a major badminton racket company evolved in China, the only mystery is that it didn’t happen before. Yonex is the most successful manufacturer in the Far East, selling millions of rackets every year. However, SOTX seems to have a big impact and is already consuming market share. This rapid growth has brought SOTX badminton to the West, the UK and the US.

There are nine ranges in the SOTX line, and the flagship racquets are the CP series, which stands for Commax Power or circle power. These racquets are made from high modulus carbon and also include a new SOTX exclusive technology, force pro nano. Force pro nano technology is designed to minimize vibration that can cause injury and strain to the wrist, arm, and shoulder muscles. The CP series is designed to withstand higher stringing tensions, up to 31 pounds. This tension causes excessive vibration in normal badminton rackets, but with force pro technology this is no longer the case. The benefit to badminton players could be huge, and SOTX appears to be the only current manufacturer offering this protection for players. I guess the only way to know if this technology works is to try it yourself. Chain your racket to a 31-pound tension and see if your arm hurts after a few hours of play. The only other problem is finding a rope that can withstand this tension without breaking.

The downside to this engineering is the price. The high-end CP 7000 retails for around £ 109 in the UK and $ 300 in the US This puts SOTX in direct competition with top Yonex offerings, which already have a strong reputation for quality and innovation. . The CP 7000 is also very stiff, which increases vibration and as such is only recommended for experienced players, who can get the most out of this type of racquet.

At these prices, I think it will be difficult for SOTX to sell a lot of rackets, but over time, as their reputation grows and more online retailers stock their wares, prices will drop at more reasonable rates, in line with most of the competition. . The rest of the CP range is the 6000 which is a bit more flexible, the 5000 which is even more flexible and lighter, up to the CP 1000, and even this entry-level racket will cost you around £ 60.

Things get even more expensive with the SOTX Woven range. The Woven 16 costs a whopping £ 129.99 … shot. It is developed from high quality carbon fiber and glass, which makes it more stable and easier to control. It can also be tied at high stresses, but it does not have force pro technology, so you will most likely feel all the vibration at high stresses. Indicate arm and shoulder injuries. There are 9 other rackets in this range, which are all very similar, and the bottom of the range is the Woven-2i, which still costs £ 49.99.

The SOTX Diamond Fighter range is made from a special memory alloy that reduces the aging process of the racquet. I don’t know how it does it, but it looks very similar to the Yonex ArcSaber range.

There is also the super light range, which, as the name implies, offers very light rackets, weighing just 75 grams, which competes directly with the Karakal badminton team, only that SOTX is more expensive. The choice is yours …

It looks like SOTX is the new kid on the block, and more established brands could be threatened. The main obstacle to SOTX badminton rackets is earning an honest reputation for quality and durability, and only time will tell if they are successful.