Played last night and borrowed a mates and should probably get my own.
What should I be looking for, brands etc

The only brand I can associate solely with badminton is Yonex.

Maybe try a Decathlon; plenty of stock, a wide range, and often some really good bargains.

Carlton make decent bats. I like my mine.

I like yonex, whatever you get make sure you get it re-strung. The strings that they come with are always rubbish and are loose after about 2 hours use.

Wouldn’t you take it back if the strings came loose that quickly?

Bat?? Fookin’ bat?? Fool – they’re called ‘cues’.

Club

Where in Scotland are you. I have two pretty good bats gathering dust under the stairs.

Badminton sticks. if you don’t mind.

Yonex plenty of online sellers – Google is your friend!

Kennex were the best badders bashers back when I used to play
http://www.prokennex.com/list2.php?type=BADMINTON

and what should i be looking to spend, I was thinking around £50, would that get me something decent (I know the can go upto around £200)

Most people I know play with Yonex, including myself.

I have a fairly cheap one from the Armortec range and it’s not bad, pretty light, but not as light as the more expensive ones (say upwards of £50).

The Yonex strings mine came with were actually quite good until they snapped. The new strings I have (also Yonex) seem to be coming loose ‘n need replacing, but oh well 🙂

This is where I get most my badminton stuff from, and here’s the yonex range:

http://www.kickbacksports.co.uk/badminton/Badminton-Racquets/Yonex-Badminton-Racquets/default.aspx

Price wise, it’s upto you 🙂

Mine was about £20, some chap I play with spent £70 or so, we’re both evenly matched, doesn’t make a massive difference.

I’d rather spend the extra on decent shoes ‘n better shuttles, and sweat bands!

I’ve used yonnex, but prefer karakal. I’ve had a couple of the sl70 bats over the last few years. Centralsports are normally pretty good online.

Yonex are good, i swear by them. I currently have an Arcsaber 10 which is the top of the range one which i think is pretty good. I got it for half price from Hong Kong. As above, try the Armortec range as they are good starter raquets. But if you are thinking of splashing out go for Nanospeeds.

Decathlon actually do a try before you buy service.

Try racketworld on ebay they have a good choice of rackets at greatly reduced prices.

I’ve picked up a Browning racket off of there for £40 down from £220 and have had 3 yrs of matches out of it. About to get it re-strung but 3 yrs from one set of strings playing 2 times a week is good going.

They sell on last years colours at a big discount – not unlike a bike shop really!

I’m using a Carlton ‘Isoblade graphite’ Used it every week for last 2 years, nice and light and good balance. I’d highly recomend it, had a Carlton one before that too. Never felt the need to spend big bucks on anything else. Bought it in Sports Direct for £24.99, label said it was marked down from £79.99 ?? Sports Direct is worth a look as they normally have a few decent ones marked down to a reasonable price and you can have a feel of the weight and balance.

I used to use a Carlton 3.7x, at the time it was up with the best. The modern stuff, I’d go with Carlton coz I know the brand, Yonnex I think are ok, but budget wise I’d go to Decathlon.

I am torn between these 2:

http://www.sportsdirect.com/carlton-fireblade-s-lite-iso-fx-badminton-racket-733005

http://www.centralsports.co.uk/shop.php?page=yonexd&product=7209

Is the carlton better as it has a higher RRP?

been playing for 7 years now best racquet i have used are made by babolat. Decathlon sell them the strings they come with are not to bad. they last well though mine is on its third restring now still love the feel of it.

this also looks like a great deal if the RRP is correct?

http://www.sportsdirect.com/carlton-fireblade-iso-tour-badminton-racket-729026

Ashaway here. I’ve had a few Yonexs as well and they’ve all been fine. The Ashaway has a nicer feel to it for me. Paid about £100 for mine but they do cheaper ones in the range.

sports direct just mark everything up so it looks like a good deal…

I’ve still got my 20 year old carbon Yamaha. 😳

try the Armortec range as they are good starter raquets. But if you are thinking of splashing out go for Nanospeeds

Is it not the other way round?