PHILLY SQUASH

July/August 2011, Gear Essentails

Yes, you do need squash shoes

By Jim Snyder   Mon, Oct 04, 2010

Gear Essentails: SQUASH SHOES 

One intro squash lesson and you’re hooked.  You drop out of Jazzercise and Kick Boxing and sign up for two squash clinics a week and a round robin on Saturdays.  You have dreams of winning your first thirty and over tournament.  Then you realize you have no squash equipment.   So you head to your local sporting goods store with a your last no limit credit card ready to gear up, but all you find is a starter racket and ball package at $19.95 complete with Spiderman logo.  Although the Spiderman logo is appealing, you know $19.95 won't buy good equipment.

 Now what?  You dash home to your computer.  Why didn’t you think of this before?  On-line you can buy the best equipment up to 40% off.  Once on line you’re paralyzed from all the choices.   The credit card may not have a limit but your budget does.  The Spiderman logo starts looking better.  You have to prioritize.

 Start at the bottom.  Your first priority is a good pair of squash or indoor court shoes.  Racquetball and squash shoes are pretty much the same so manufacturers group them into a category called ‘indoor court shoes.”  What you are looking for is a good gum rubber soled shoe that is light weight.  You’ll know why, the first time you wear them on the court, .  You’re faster.   Indoor court shoes are light weight and low profile, allowing you to change direction with speed and balance.     

More importantly, good squash shoes will help prevent injuries.  You are less likely to twist an ankle or knee when stopping and changing direction.  Running shoes and cross trainers are the worst choice for squash.  They are designed for running straight ahead and are higher in the heel which makes the foot top heavy like an SUV.  You want your shoes to turn like an Indy car.  Tennis shoes are low profile but most are made for durablity and carrying a lot of extra weight.   

You should be able to find a good pair of indoor court shoes for around $80.00.  All the major squash equipment companies carry indoor court shoes as well as Adidas, Nike and K-Swiss.  However, you won’t find many sporting goods stores stocking them and you can't try them on over the internet.   Your best bet is the local squash club pro shop.  Check the Places To Play page on PhillySquash.com to find a club that carries gum rubber soled indoor court shoes.   Some tennis stores also carry indoor court shoes.   

Indoor court shoes are so comfortable you may want to wear them all the time.  Not a good idea.   Gum rubber does not wear well on anything but hardwood floors and boat decks.   Above all else, don’t wear them for tennis.  You may be much faster on the court but you will have the shoes for about an hour before the soles wear through. 

Lastly, don't ever  wear shoes with colored soles that may mark the squash court floor.  For this reason, many clubs require indoor court shoes only.  Change into your squash shoes before and after you step on the squash court.  This not only keeps you shoes from wearing out prematurely, it keeps dirt off the squash courts.  

So, you found a good pair of shoes; what’s next.  Eye guards.    Click here for "Eye Guards in The Comfort Zone"

By Jim Snyder

Jim Snyder started out in Racquetball over thirty years ago.  During his racquetball career he coached at several clubs in Florida and Pennsylvania including the Healthplex in Springfield, PA.  He also taught indoor racquet sports at Montgomery County Community College.  While Racquetball Pro at the Healthplex, Jim took up squash and has played ever since.  He is now the Director of Squash at Malvern Prep and the Editor of Phillysquash.com.  He teaches squash for Chester County Night Squash and is the coach for the Malvern youth team in the Chestmont Squash League.

Jim is the co-founder of "Everyone Plays" along with Ron Koenig  and is dedicated to keeping young people active and on the squash courts.

Comments(1):

1. Great tip!

   Monday, October 11, 2010 Jason

   I started playing squash but didn't do too well because my squash shoes weren't good quality. After reading this article, I went out and purchased a better shoe for squash and have improved my play tremendously. Thank you...great website!