Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl) Review: The Next Generation of Yonex Badminton Shoe
- Fee Teng Liew
- 1 minute ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to the next generation of Yonex badminton shoes. This is the Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl)!
The Suboxia is actually the successor to the concept shoe, the Grpht Thrttl (or Graphite Throttle), which was launched earlier this year. It was made available to the public at the World Championships in Paris. That shoe was a concept, and this is now the badminton-specific version.
The Yonex Subaxia GT badminton shoe comes in three models:
Now, let’s take a closer look!
Graphite Throttle Technology Explained
Essentially, you see the Graphite Throttle technology here, and this is a name that Yonex will be using a lot more going forward. Graphite Throttle is a combination of two things:
A molded Power Graphite Plate
Power Cushion Rev (the foam equivalent)
The graphite plate and the Power Cushion Rev foam are combined into one system called Graphite Throttle. You can clearly see it as the pink section running to the front and the neon yellow detail. The entire cushioning system is called Graphite Throttle.
When Yonex launched the Graphite Throttle full-on concept shoe earlier, they demonstrated the bounciness and energy return of Power Cushion Rev. The demo involved dropping a metal ball onto standard EVA foam and then onto Power Cushion Rev. The difference in bounce height showed how much energy return the Power Cushion Rev provides. It was a simple but very effective demonstration and I got to try it myself too!
Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl): From Concept Shoe to Badminton-Specific Design
The original Graphite Throttle was a concept shoe, meaning it wasn’t specifically designed for badminton or tennis. You could wear it for badminton, light tennis, padel, pickleball, walking, or running.
However, it didn’t really have a clear identity. It wasn’t pushed as a specific performance shoe, and consumers found it difficult to understand where it sat within the Yonex ecosystem. Combined with its premium pricing, this caused some confusion, despite the excellent performance.
The Subaxia GT is now the badminton-specific equivalent, built around that same Graphite Throttle technology.
Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl): Design and Aesthetics
The look of the Subaxia will definitely catch your attention, with its pink and yellow colourway. Personally, I think it looks much better in person than in the initial photos. I’ve had it for a few weeks now, and it’s grown on me day by day.
I actually think the ladies’ version looks even nicer than the men’s, as I prefer lighter-coloured shoes. Unfortunately, I can’t get the ladies’ sizes in my size, as they currently go up to 27.0 cm and I’m a 28.0 cm. Yonex, if you’re listening, please extend that by just 1 cm!
Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl): Upper And Insole
The Subaxia also features a new upper system. It looks quite rugged, almost like a safety shoe from a top-down view, but it works well. It’s designed to lock your foot down securely during movement, and in testing, it performed perfectly.
The insole now features a Yonex imprint and has a grippy texture, which I really liked. It’s a small but nice touch.
Remember to protect your precious badminton rackets from chips and scratches with the Premium Racket Protection Tape with free delivery worldwide on ckyew.com/shop. We also have some super limited edition player signed prints too!
Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl): Outsole And Grip Analysis
The Subaxia uses the popular and proven Radial Blade outsole, which I find very grippy across different surfaces. However, I noticed that the grooves are deeper than other Yonex models.
I compared it to the 65Z and the latest Aerus Z using a caliper:
Aerus Z: ~2.7 mm
65Z: ~2.6 mm
Suboxia: 2.8-3.0 mm
Deeper grooves allow slightly more movement, which can increase grip across a wider variety of surfaces. It’s similar to how tyres work - a little controlled slippage can actually improve traction. This wasn’t an issue at all in play.
Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl): Weight Comparison
This pair comes in at 687g, however this is a 27.5 cm size, not my usual 28.0 cm.
For comparison:
Comfort Z (28.0 cm): ~640 g
65Z (28.0 cm): ~650 g
Aerus Z: ~550 g
Victor VG2: ~797 g
Victor A970: ~732 g
So overall, this shoe is actually light, especially considering its cushioning and durability.
Yonex Subaxia GT (Grpht Thrttl): Playing Feel & Performance
Despite looking tall, it doesn’t feel significantly taller than other models. Compared to a broken-in 65Z, you feel slightly lower in the 65Z, and it feels thinner around the upper. This suggests the Subaxia is designed to be more durable, replacing the Comfort Z range.
From first wear, there were no issues at all. Jumping, lunging, shadow movements, and on-court movement felt great. The heel felt firm but comfortable, with added padding that worked well. I had no blisters, no discomfort, and no break-in period.
There were a few minor slips in the first hour, likely due to release agents from the outsole moulding, but after that, grip was perfect!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I had no issues with this new model. It was instant - you wear it and go.
If you’re looking for a shoe that offers high cushioning, stability, protection, and durability, this could be a great option. If you’re looking for something new, definitely give it a try.
I’m excited to see how the Graphite Throttle technology evolves and appears in other Yonex badminton shoe models. If you've tried this new technology already, let me know what you think!
And as always, drop any questions you have in the comments, use my code 'CKYEW' for extra discounts, and I’ll see you in the next one!