Founded 2001 · Japan (now China-owned)
Kumpoo badminton: the fourth credible brand, decoded
Kumpoo (薰风) has reached parity with second-tier mainstream brands on build quality and flagship feel — the most credible candidate for the fourth-brand label alongside Yonex / Victor / Li-Ning. Here is how the catalogue maps to player role.
By Rui Su · Founder, IntoBadminton · Div 4 Ireland · trained under former Malaysia national and China provincial-team coachesUpdated
About Kumpoo (薰风)
Kumpoo was founded in May 2001 in Japan by Yuji Omori and Mitsutoshi Satou; Guangzhou-based Sobey Sports acquired the brand entirely in 2009 and re-headquartered operations to China. The current line has reached flagship-adjacent build quality across attack rackets (Shura II, Shanhai NEW), value-tier shoes (KH-G805 Lite Pro), and premium strings (JS-67 club-durability, JS-63 tournament-repulsion) — the JS-series is produced at Kumpoo's Japan high-end string facility. BadmintonCN community reviewers consistently cover Kumpoo flagships; TiGe XLab has positioned the brand as the credible cross-shop outside the mainstream trio.
Kumpoo's catalogue splits across rackets (two flagships at overlapping price tiers: Shura II for aggressive attack, Shanhai NEW for controlled attack), strings (JS-67 durability vs JS-63 thin-gauge repulsion), and shoes (KH-G805 Lite Pro for value-priority). Smaller catalogue than the mainstream trio but the build quality is genuinely competitive with mid-flagship Yonex / Victor / Li-Ning rackets at a meaningful price advantage.
Kumpoo racket lines, decoded
Shura II (修罗 II) and Shanhai NEW (山海 NEW) — attack flagships
Best for: Doubles attackers wanting flagship-tier feel outside the mainstream trio
Two flagship-tier attack rackets at overlapping price tiers but different identity emphasis. Shura II is the aggressive-attack pick — head-heavy, stiff shaft, violent-totem (暴力图腾) styling, demanding swing profile. Shanhai NEW (山海 NEW) is the controlled-attack pick — slightly more rounded weight distribution, less stiff shaft, controlled-attack identity matching the mountains-and-seas (镇山海·定乾坤) thematic.
KH-G805 Lite Pro — value speed
Best for: Budget speed pick; junior and small-physique players
Budget speed racket in the Kumpoo line. 5U weight class with head-light balance for fast drive recovery; head-light feel suitable for junior and small-physique players. Source reviewers position it in the same buyer-decision range as the Yonex Nanoflare 700 Play 5U.
JS-67 and JS-63 — premium strings
Best for: Club-durability buyers (JS-67) and thin-gauge tournament players (JS-63)
Two premium strings covering durability-versus-repulsion trade-offs. JS-67 is the 0.67mm club-durability string with a distinctive ice-blue colour signature. JS-63 (subtitled 音爆 / Sonic Boom) is the 0.63mm thin-gauge tournament-tier repulsion option. Gauge dominates the buying decision — see the dedicated comparison for the buyer-question filter.
Our top Kumpoo picks right now
These are pulled from our scored lists — links go to the relevant best-of guide so you can see the full reasoning.
- Kumpoo Shura II
Shura II · Aggressive-attack flagship outside mainstream trio
~$145
- Kumpoo Shanhai NEW
Shanhai NEW · Controlled-attack flagship at value pricing
~$155
- Kumpoo JS-67 string
Strings · Club durability with ice-blue colour signature
~$12
- Kumpoo KH-G805 Lite Pro shoes
Shoes · Value-tier court shoes from the Kumpoo line
~$70
Frequently asked
Is Kumpoo really competitive with Yonex / Victor / Li-Ning?+
At the mid-flagship tier, yes — competitively. Kumpoo has reached parity with second-tier mainstream brands on build quality, finish, and flagship feel. The differences from Yonex / Victor / Li-Ning flagships are now smaller than the brand recognition gap suggests. At the absolute peak-flagship tier (Astrox 100ZZ, Auraspeed 99 J, AxForce 100 Gen 2), Kumpoo does not yet have a direct equivalent. As a cross-shop for mid-flagship buyers, Kumpoo is the most credible candidate for the fourth-brand label.
Shura II vs Shanhai NEW — which Kumpoo flagship should I buy?+
By playing identity. Shura II for aggressive attack — head-heavy, stiffer shaft, demanding swing profile, violent-totem styling. Shanhai NEW for controlled attack — slightly more rounded weight, more forgiving sweet spot, controlled-attack identity. The two are not redundant; they emphasise different attack identities within the same flagship-tier price range. See the dedicated comparison article for the buyer-question filter.
JS-67 vs JS-63 strings — which to buy?+
Gauge dominates the decision. JS-67 (0.67mm) for club-durability buyers who restring every 2-3 months. JS-63 (0.63mm thin gauge) for tournament-tier players who restring monthly or more and value peak repulsion over durability. The ice-blue colour signature on JS-67 is a distinctive Kumpoo identifier; JS-63 carries the 音爆 / Sonic Boom subtitle.
Where can I buy Kumpoo badminton equipment?+
Concentrated in mainland China; Singapore has authorized resellers. North American and European availability is limited. If you want Kumpoo equipment but cannot find a local stockist, expect to import from a Chinese or SE Asian retailer.
Is Kumpoo a Chinese brand or Japanese?+
Both, in different eras. Kumpoo was founded in May 2001 in Japan by Yuji Omori and Mitsutoshi Satou, registered as Kumpoo Co., Ltd. Guangzhou-based Sobey Sports acquired the brand entirely in 2009, moving R&D and operations to China — the brand is now Chinese-owned but retains the Japanese DNA in product naming and string-manufacturing (the JS-series is still produced at Kumpoo's Japan facility). The Chinese name 薰风 (Xūnfēng) translates roughly to 'fragrant breeze' — referencing the brand's positioning of approachable but capable equipment.
Related guides
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