SOTX badminton rackets are a relatively new name in the world of badminton, however they have been growing at a fast rate in China. They have now entered the UK and US market, selling a wide range of badminton equipment including 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 extra competition doesn’t hurt anyone and can help reduce costs for those who buy badminton rackets.
I guess it was inevitable that a major badminton racket company would develop in China, the only mystery is that it didn’t happen sooner. Yonex is the most successful manufacturer in the Far East, selling millions of rackets each year. However, SOTX seems to be making a big impact and is already eating up market share. This rapid growth has now seen SOTX badminton reach the west, in the UK and in the US.
There are nine ranges in the SOTX line, and the flagship rackets are the CP series, which stands for Commax Power or circular power. These rackets are made of high modulus carbon, and also include a new technology exclusive to SOTX, force pro nano. Force pro nano technology is designed to minimize vibration that can cause injury and strain to the muscles of the wrist, arm and shoulder. The CP series is designed to handle higher string tensions, up to 31lbs. 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 to players. I guess the only way to know if this technology works is to try it for yourself. Hang your racket with a tension of 31 pounds 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 disadvantage of this engineering is the price. The higher-end CP 7000 retails for around £109 in the UK and $300 in the US. This puts SOTX in direct competition with the best Yonex offerings, which already have a strong reputation for quality and innovation. The CP 7000 is also very stiff, which increases vibration, so it is only recommended for experienced players who can get the most out of this type of racket.
At these prices I think it will be difficult for SOTX to sell many rackets, but over time, as their reputation grows and more online retailers stock their products, prices will drop to 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 set you back around £60.
Things get even more expensive with the SOTX Woven range. The Woven 16 costs a whopping £129.99…gulp. It is developed from high-quality carbon fiber and fiberglass, which makes it more stable and easier to control. It can also be threaded at high tensions, but it does not have force pro technology, so you will most likely feel all the vibration at high tensions. Cue arm and shoulder injuries. There are 9 other rackets in this range, all very similar, and the bottom of the range is the Woven-2i which is still £49.99.
The SOTX Diamond Fighter range is made from a special memory alloy that slows down the racket’s aging process. 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 suggests, offers very light rackets, weighing just 75 grams, that compete directly with Karakal’s badminton equipment, only the SOTX are more expensive. The choice is yours…
It looks like SOTX is the new kid on the block, and more established brands could be under threat. The main hurdle for SOTX badminton rackets is earning an honest reputation for quality and durability, and only time will tell if they succeed.
