Your shoes are an indispensable component of the squash equipment you will need, second only to your racket. They must provide superior levels of grip and stability as well as safeguard ankles/heels from impact.
These shoes check all the boxes: lightweight, stylish and featuring excellent court traction. Plus they provide outstanding levels of comfort and support!
Comfort
Those familiar with squash will know the hard impact it takes on their feet, making choosing shoes with adequate cushioning and support essential. Without such provisions, your feet will quickly become sore which may result in injuries. A good pair will last you many years, though if you play often it might be wise to rotate pairs so they have an equal chance at drying completely after each match and avoid becoming spongy which could increase chances for blisters and rubs.
Finding shoes with all these attributes can be challenging, but there are several great choices out there. Popular squash shoe brand Adidas makes some excellent models like their Stabil X model which offer stability and protection while remaining lightweight – ideal for many professional players.
Karakal KF Pro shoes are another fantastic option – these highly cushioned shoes have become one of the top professional players’ choices on the market, used by a number of top players and featuring a TPU anti-reverse insert that helps lower ankle injury risk. Furthermore, these lightweight yet grippier shoes offer fantastic levels of support.
Asics Upcourt 5 squash shoes are another excellent and very cost-effective choice, offering excellent cushioning while remaining durable and providing sufficient grip. Since squash involves rapid front to back and side-to-side movements, running shoes with their raised heels and forward motion design do not make a suitable option.
Stability
Squash is an engaging sport where players need to start, stop and change direction on an instantaneous basis. Finding shoes with outstanding stability will reduce injury risks by keeping feet in place during quick direction changes.
Stability is also determined by how well a shoe fits, so be sure to try them on before purchasing them. Shoes that are too loose may slip around on your foot while those too tight may cause blisters and discomfort.
When searching for shoes specifically tailored to squash, look for those that offer a snug but not overly tight fit – this will ensure that your foot doesn’t move around inside it and allows you to keep control of the ball more effectively. Furthermore, make sure that laces are done up securely at the bottom near your toes so as to prevent your foot sliding forward during games and potentially inflicting pain upon yourself!
Once again, when selecting squash shoes it is essential that they are non-marking – this means they do not leave marks on the court surface. Most squash shoes will specify this on their soles but it is wise to verify this prior to purchasing any shoe; running shoes often qualify as non-marking but do not provide support necessary for twisting and turning movements necessary for squash.
Shoes designed with extra padding around the ankle can help cushion a fall or when someone unexpectedly steps on your foot, providing essential protection on courts that share space with other sports such as basketball, handball and volleyball. Furthermore, playing on courts with lots of dust and dirt may cause your soles to wear down quickly over time and cause them to lose grip – meaning less grip for you and greater slipping potential in games such as handball or volleyball!
As a general guideline, it is advisable to buy new squash shoes every six months or more frequently if you play regularly. This will help avoid blisters and injuries as well as getting more value out of your money. Furthermore, rotating between two pairs will allow each to dry between matches; doing this also prevents that pesky “squash stink” that can quickly ruin a pair.
Grip
Squash shoes must offer unparalleled traction on court – especially when covered in sweat. Grip isn’t simply dependent on materials; rather it requires proper structural design and sole shape for optimal gripping performance.
Raised heels may work for running shoes, but on a squash court where players constantly twist and turn while dragging their toes across the floorboards they require a shoe with lower heel for ease of play. Therefore, the best squash shoes for wide feet feature lower heels to allow more natural foot movements during these twists and turns.
When shopping for squash shoes for wide feet, the amount of cushioning should also be taken into consideration. Some players find a pair with firm mid-soles sufficient to keep them feeling at their best; other may need additional cushioning; in this instance softer midsole shoes might provide better support.
There are plenty of comfortable squash shoes designed specifically for wide feet that have plenty of cushioning, meaning that stability doesn’t need to be sacrificed in favor of comfort. One such shoe, Asics Gel-Tactic is widely popular and comes highly endorsed by professional players; not cheap but very comfortable – their latest version even surpasses previous models!
Adidas Crazyflight shoes are another fantastic choice of squash shoes, boasting cool looks, excellent support levels and being extremely cost-effective – Paul Coll himself wears these incredible shoes, so their quality speaks for itself!
Salming Kobras are another highly regarded squash shoe with excellent support and stability, which are popular choices among amateur and professional players due to their superb level of support and grip. While not the cheapest, these are highly sought-after shoes due to their exceptional level of support and grip.
Maintaining good condition for as long as possible by regularly replacing your squash shoes is vitally important to their protection and lasting performance. As a general guideline, change them as often as you would change a toothbrush – though this will vary depending on how frequently you play and train.
Durability
Durability of squash shoes is of the utmost importance for regular players who tend to go through shoes quickly. Shoes should ideally be replaced as soon as they start showing signs of wear – this will extend its lifespan as well as help you avoid injuries associated with worn out soles or heels. Replacement frequency depends on playing style: those who drag their feet or toes through matches tend to go through shoes faster than those who make short, sharp movements.
On the market today is an impressive selection of durable squash shoes that provide the ideal blend of weight, underfoot cushioning, ankle/heel protection and grip. Furthermore, many models are also available in multiple colours with many offering previous season styles at reduced prices.
One such pair is the Salming Hawk 2; lightweight yet offering excellent stability and grip, these shoes provide protection for ankles during falls while their overall design is ergonomic and well thought-out. Though slightly more costly than some alternatives, many players find this pair worth its additional price.
Adidas Stabil X are another high-quality choice, designed primarily as handball, volleyball and netball shoes but work fantastically well for squash as they boast excellent grip and stability. Their revolutionary Boost sole provides incredible comfort when lunging into position for shots; further absorbing any shock to your heels when landing on them when lunging into position for shots.
ASICS Upcourt 5 shoes are an excellent budget pick, featuring light cushioning and fast performance with a grippier sole for fast running on court surfaces. However, their stitching may come undone easily when your toes drag through them so they may not suit everyone.