Squash is an extremely high-impact sport requiring frequent turning, lunging and pivoting movements – therefore you require shoes designed specifically to handle these forces on your feet.
The SPEED 900 is tailored for advanced players looking for propulsion and stability in their shoes, featuring an external frame in both heel and forefoot areas to increase stability and ensure a secure lockdown feeling.
Traction
Sprinters rarely wear standard trainers, while professional squash players should ideally don shoes designed specifically for the game. A good pair of shoes can make a significant difference to how you play and also help prevent injuries – look out for ones with adequate traction, flexibility and support features.
Good traction is absolutely crucial in squash, given its fluid nature of movement. Without it, players would become bogged down on court and could even suffer injuries that will slow them down and potentially impede performance.
To achieve optimal traction during a match, players need soles constructed of materials that can withstand the forces exerted upon it during a game. Although most squash players play on hard courts, clay or sand-based courts also present an opportunity to use excellent traction on both surfaces – an excellent option is the Express Light 2 HB with herringbone sole as this offers excellent grip across both hard and soft courts.
Flexibility is another essential characteristic of a quality squash shoe, and how well they flex under pressure is of great significance. Therefore, when shopping for squash shoes it is always wise to test out several pairs before purchasing a pair; lunging in them, turning around in them, rolling your feet around in them…It may turn out that shoes you thought would provide excellent flexibility do not actually offer this feature after all!
Some may confuse tennis and squash shoes, yet the two sports require vastly different movement patterns. Tennis involves side to side movement but no lunging into low positions or pivoting like in squash – something reflected by some tennis shoes that have rigid fronts while many squash shoes now feature herring-bone fronts to allow flexing of the foot.
Comfort
Finding the ideal pair of squash shoes can make the difference between success and failure on the court. A quality pair is designed to withstand rapid front to back and side-to-side movements required by this sport, while non-specific shoes can cause discomfort and injury. In addition, be mindful that any non-marking shoes you select won’t leave marks behind; this is particularly important when playing on newly swept courts.
The NDure upper and external frame increase shoe stability while Durawrap Flex design adds comfort with minimal break in time. A herringbone sole provides necessary traction on multiple surfaces; perfect for curled courts as well as sandy traditional turf courts.
This pair of squash shoes demonstrates how modern technology can help manufacturers craft shoes with optimal combination of speed and stability. Lightweight with great levels of grip, they feature excellent cushioning in the midsole. Their heel cup design adds extra cushioning by keeping feet safely within them.
Joma Padel shoes demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can enhance player performance. Featuring a herringbone sole that offers medium traction, these shoes are best suited to new curled courts than sandy traditional turf courts.
Asics Padel Shoes are an outstanding example of modern footwear designed to perform exceptionally well across all court surfaces, regardless of traction levels. While its traction might not match other similar squash shoes, these still provide a very comfortable experience and great levels of stability and grip. Mesh and synthetic materials combine for lightweight performance while gel cushioning offers exceptional shock absorption.
Stability
Squash is an exciting, fast-paced game requiring sideways and backpedaling movements in tight spaces; therefore it is crucial that players can move with confidence on court. A shoe not designed specifically for squash may cause discomfort to feet, ankles and knees as well as lead to injuries that will compromise performance and limit success on court.
For maximum stability and to ensure your shoes provide ample support during a game of squash, opt for flat soled shoes that wrap snugly around the base of your feet. This helps avoid slippage while simultaneously hugging them close and supporting you throughout all its twists, turns and lunges.
ASICS GEL-TACTIC shoes provide an outstanding combination of comfort, cushioning, durability and grip – ideal for many styles of squash – making them a popular choice among men and women alike. Being lightweight yet durable enough for play on both sand courts. However, for more traditional players looking for traditional designs there’s also the ASICS UPCOURT shoes made from premium materials with herringbone pattern soles for reliable traction on various court surfaces as well as having outsoles designed specifically to withstand hard court surfaces abrasiveness abrasiveness of hard court surfaces.
Salming Race R1 squash shoes are another excellent pair. Not only are they light but their performance is remarkable too – once broken in, these form fitting shoes help players play at their peak performance level.
Although they might not have the name recognition of some larger brands, don’t let that dissuade you – these smaller brands make fantastic shoes! The Prince NFS II was specifically designed to be quick, responsive and supportive – without receiving endorsement from any high profile squash players but that shouldn’t take away from its quality.
The shoe’s upper is constructed from elasticated fabric that helps secure feet into place. Its DuRubber outsole has been developed to withstand hard court surfaces with its herringbone pattern providing excellent traction; and PoWnCe midsole technology provides lightweight and comfortable cushioning for added support.
Weight
Squash is an extremely high impact sport on your feet. Constant stops, starts, and turning can put considerable wear and tear on shoes over time; especially if you drag your foot or toes or strike them hard against an object. By rotating between several pairs of shoes for wear-and-tear reasons you will extend their lives more.
Shoe weight is an essential consideration when playing squash; heavy shoes may feel cumbersome and slow while light shoes tend to be faster and more agile. But there must also be a balance reached: light shoes must still provide enough support for forceful directional movements during squash games.
Joma Slam shoes embody this balance perfectly, featuring an ultralight yet robust construction with a herringbone sole suitable for both padel and clay courts as well as curled turf courts. Their newly revised 2023 model is even lighter and more flexible, providing ultimate comfort on court.
It is advisable to try on multiple pairs of squash shoes when shopping, in order to find ones which best suit both your foot shape and how you play the sport. Wearing tight or too-loose footwear could impede circulation to your foot and lead to serious health complications; conversely, wearing too loose ones could become uncomfortable and lead to you losing balance during matches.
Wilson’s X-Factor 3 tennis shoes don’t feel great fresh out of the box, but once broken-in they provide a solid feel on court that gives you confidence to get to every ball with ease.
Finding squash shoes that feel great on your feet will enhance the experience of playing squash. Don’t regret taking the time to find a pair that are a good fit; you won’t regret investing any of your precious free time in searching for one! If unsure which size you need, wear them over socks while practicing lunging, pivoting and stretching movements as well as walk around to observe how they flex and move – sprinters don’t wear regular trainers to practice sprinting, so if you try playing indoor squash with regular trainers you will quickly understand why!