Are Squash Shoes Worth It?

You may have noticed that all your squash friends and acquaintances wear shoes designed explicitly for squash, and you have a nagging thought about whether they are worth investing in. We want to reassure you about whether you should make the purchase or not, especially if you intend on playing squash frequently, so let us dive in and put our best foot first.

Squash shoes are an essential component of your squash game, and there are multiple reasons involved, including the aid they offer in avoiding injuries. Some would argue that a proper pair of squash shoes is even more vital than the racket you play with as they protect you.

If you have watched, especially elite players on the court, you will have noticed that squash is a high-intensity and fast-paced sport. There are quick movements, and one needs to be agile on their feet to get to the ball in time. There is the motion of getting to the ball to play and a lot of jarring stopping and starting, and we recommend that you carefully consider reading on to find out more.

Why It Is Worth Buying Squash Shoes

Some would say that your racket is the essential part of your kit for squash, and they are not entirely wrong, as it can significantly impact your overall gameplay. Still, it does not help you avoid injuries (perhaps lighter rackets ensure less strain when hitting the ball, though). However, you need reliable footwear for this fast-paced game; but why should you bother with squash shoes?

Why should we cough up money for specialized footwear when ordinary trainers could probably do the same job? The answer is that they will not offer you the same level of performance, and even something like an expensive pair of running shoes is not designed for the lateral and other variations of movements that you will experience while playing squash.

Many believe that even multi-purpose cross-trainers would work on the indoor wooden floors that you play on and that shoes with anti-roll stabilizers would be ideal for the motions on the court. Firstly, the problem is that many of these shoes will mark the court (you need to wear shoes that will not leave scuff marks on the floor). And this is just one reason why you need squash shoes.

The main point that must be addressed is the need for proper and effective grip. Squash is filled with short sprints and sharp turns while you make your way around the court pursuing the ball (especially if you are a novice; elite players will try to dominate the center of the court and make you do the running). So apart from potentially slipping and sliding, you could very well suffer serious injury.

Squash shoes are specifically designed for the game of squash, as we have mentioned, and although they share features with other racket sports shoes and even the likes of hard-court indoor sports like handball, they are different in their own rite.

They offer you that increased level of grip to make your way around the court speedily, but they also provide superior support for when you need to make quick, sharp turns. They additionally aid in shock absorption and help to maintain comfort during what can sometimes be a long session on the court. They are also lightweight but still offer ample support, especially for your ankles.

What People Typically Look For When Buying Squash Shoes

You need to look for various things in the pair of squash shoes that you purchase; also, be sure not to short-change yourself, especially if you intend to take up the sport regularly. Consider spending a bit extra for the following qualities in higher-end shoes: cushioning, ankle protection, grip, weight, durability, and sturdiness.

With this being said, there are also two main categories that people fall into when they go shopping for their new pair of squash shoes, and these are speed and stability/sturdiness. You may fall into either one of these categories, or perhaps you are looking for something in the middle. What you will find, though, is that these two categories are distinctly found among players.

Squash Shoes For Speed

If you are highly athletic and are all about moving around the court as fast as possible, you are likely looking for specific attributes in your shoes. These include the following:

A snug-fitting shoe that protects your ankles well and helps drive your power onto the court
Exceptional traction and grip so that you can make quick changes in direction
A low profile shoe that is highly responsive
An excellent pivoting point on the sole of the shoe for effective turns

Squash Shoes For Stability/Sturdiness

If you are a powerhouse of a player and you are all about driving or volleying the ball as hard as possible to keep your opponent moving while you can firmly cement yourself at the “T”, then these are the attributes you should be looking for:

A very sturdy and stable shoe that allows you to feel well-planted to the ground, even if you have to make short, quick sprints from time to time
A highly secure fit that offers prime comfort, especially if you are a larger player and may tire from shoes with a lesser level of cushioning
Protection against high impact movements to help protect your ankles, and knee joints

How Often Should You Replace Your Squash Shoes?

The guide on how to decide whether you need new shoes will come down to your overall discernment. If you are using your squash shoes frequently and they are experiencing excessive wear and tear, then it is recommended that you replace them as often as every six months. If you play less frequently, let us say twice or so a week, then once a year should be fine.

From these numbers, you can gauge how often you ought to purchase new shoes, but you will also be able to tell, just by the look and feel of your squash shoes, whether they are still suitable for a while or need to be replaced. Depending on your style of play, for instance, if you run around the court a lot, you will likely need a new pair more frequently than someone who does not.

We can recommend that you purchase a few pairs (say three or four) and rotate your shoes throughout the week. This will allow your shoes to air, and the sweat build-up will be less excessive (you will be surprised by how much shoes are affected by sweat). Allow your other pairs to dry out as you rotate them, and you will find that they last longer.

Another good reason to buy multiple pairs of shoes (especially if you find a pair you really like) is that manufacturers stop making specific models after a certain period. You will then need to search for the right pairs for you all over again.

Conclusion

As we have discussed, you ought to seriously consider purchasing yourself a proper pair of squash shoes, particularly if you intend to become a frequent player. If you are trying it out for a time or two, you should be able to get away with wearing non-scuffing trainers or something similar, but to take your squash game to the next level; you need proper support for your footing.