Squash is an intense sport that demands special footwear to protect players and maximize performance. Squash shoes must provide lateral stability, exceptional grip and an ergonomic fit – qualities which shoes designed specifically for this activity should provide.
An entry of dirty sneaks onto the court can damage other players using it after you and violate gym etiquette, so we have compiled our list of the best squash shoes suitable for indoor hard courts to prevent these problems.
Breathable Build
Due to the intense physical nature of squash, feet can easily swell when playing on hard courts and this should be taken into consideration when purchasing shoes for this sport. Selecting footwear that provides adequate ventilation during play will help keep feet cool during gameplay and reduce discomfort caused by overheated feet – many shoe brands now provide specially tailored collections designed to protect players.
Asics offers several shoes which are well suited to tennis, including their Gel Tactic 12s. Professional players have long relied on them, and beginners seeking durable yet lightweight footwear to get started will find these perfect. These durable yet lightweight shoes feature great cushioning and stability with superior grip for indoor courts.
Salming Race X shoes are another excellent choice, recommended by Ramy Ashour as part of his signature line-up of shoes from Salming. Offering excellent comfort, grip, and lightweightness for added fatigue reduction.
Lateral stability is of primary concern to squash players and must be considered when choosing new shoes. Salming’s Viper shoe has been designed with this in mind using their LMS+ technology for support during changing directions of play – helping reduce injury risks while making it easier to perform at your best!
At some point, your shoes will require replacing, especially if you play regularly and frequently. By taking care in cleaning and airing out between uses and giving them enough time to dry before wearing again, this will extend their life and potentially save money in the long run. Furthermore, switching between several pairs will help extend life further while saving money in the process.
Multi-directional Grip
Traction on the bottom of your shoes is one of the most essential features in any squash shoe, as it must provide both flat and lateral sole traction as you move across the court and make sudden turns of direction. Look for rubber outsoles specifically designed to grip indoor hard surfaces – ideally composed of an impact resistant compound such as gum rubber that will provide long-term traction despite repeated impacts with hard floors.
Your squash shoes must also be flexible so you can move freely in all directions. Look for shoes with built-in flexibility in their front or herringbone designs so you can pivot and twist your foot during play. Lastly, lightweight squash shoes are preferred so as to not add too much additional weight onto your feet when playing squash.
An effective way to do this is by trying on any pair of shoes you are considering purchasing, such as taking part in a short game in them and seeing how comfortable and fast they feel on the court. If they don’t fit comfortably or their cushioning doesn’t feel appropriate for you, you will quickly know they won’t be suitable.
The Salming Hawk is an excellent option for players seeking a balance of performance and comfort on court. Although slightly lighter than more high-performance shoes such as Viper and Blade, they still feel fast on court thanks to a unique construction that features an outsole wrapped over the upper with Hexagrip providing stability.
At first they may seem stiff but over time will eventually loosen up, according to players who report no need for break-in period. Cushioning is excellent as well, making this shoe an appealing option among many players.
Asics offers a top-of-the-line pair of squash shoes at a competitively priced level: Gel Tactic is built for speed and agility as seen from their professional player endorsement.
Protection
Squash is an intense sport requiring lateral stability and high levels of grip, performed on closed courts that can become extremely hot. These elements combined can take their toll on feet if not protected by appropriate shoes that offer breathability to prevent excessive heat build-up while at the same time being shock absorbing enough. To protect against this, look for footwear with a breathable build that can regulate heat accumulation while providing enough shock absorption capabilities.
So the ideal squash shoes for indoor hard courts must provide cushioning in some form or another, such as on their sole or inside the shoe. Furthermore, efficient models often include some sort of ventilation system to further dissipate heat accumulated from inside them – typically done through mesh panels on top and sides or perforations across their uppers in areas where heat tends to gather most often.
Asics Gel Fastball squash shoes offer exceptional traction and durability for players of the game. Specially made to meet this particular sport’s requirements, they have quickly become one of many players’ go-to pairs of footwear. A professional player even tested these shoes and found them highly effective!
Asics GEL-Rocket shoes are another great pair of indoor racquet sports shoes that provide excellent lateral support while remaining light, and have herringbone style fronts to help prevent your foot twisting while moving quickly across the court.
Price should always be an important factor when purchasing squash shoes. While cheaper options exist, you must ensure you purchase shoes that will provide optimal comfort and performance during multiple matches – the easiest way to do this is try multiple pairs and see which feels most comfortable for you.
An ideal pair of squash shoes will not only make the game more comfortable for you but will also protect against injuries and discomforts to both feet and ankles. Keep in mind that the sport of squash can be extremely physically demanding, and shoes not designed specifically to it could pose serious threats to their wellbeing.
Lightweight
Although regular trainers or sports shoes may work for squash, the ideal pair of squash shoes offer superior performance and comfort. These lightweight footwear feature breathability and multi-directional traction; additionally they should include features to protect ankle and heel from impact.
Squash shoes tend to be more costly than sports and trainers shoes, yet often boast quality materials and craftsmanship for maximum comfort and performance. Therefore, many players feel that paying the additional expense will pay dividends in comfort and performance improvements with proper squash footwear.
Along with considering traction, comfort and protection features of shoes, it is also crucial that they fit correctly. Too loose a shoe may allow your foot to twist unnaturally which could result in injury; in order to find the proper size you should try on each pair and walk around in them before making a final decision.
Checking for non-marking shoes is vital for keeping a squash court free from marks, and often appears on the sole of each shoe or product description or website.
General guidelines dictate that squash shoes should fit snugly but comfortably; not so tight that it causes pain or discomfort. This is because your foot often contorts and moves in different ways during a match and needs support from its shoe to prevent injuries to its tendons and ligaments.
Asics Gel Fastball 3 is an excellent balance between price, weight and cushioning that most players find ideal. Other suitable models include the Karakal KF Pro and Asics Gel Rocket 9. All three offer excellent grip while remaining comfortable to wear; KF Pro provides more stability than Rocket 9.