The Asics Gel Fastball 3 squash shoes. These indoor court shoes are the successor to the Asics Gel Fastball 2. The Fastball line has been popular with squash players.
Here’s an unboxing I did. These shoes weigh 346 grams on my scale (I’m an 11.5 US).
Here’s my review of the Asics Gel Fastball 3 after using them for a month:
Asics Gel Fastball 3 – Review Transcript
A quick review of the ASICS Gel Fastball 3. This shoe is used by many of the top squash players in the world. I’ve been testing it out for about a month now and I’m going to give you my feedback on the shoe and explain why I think so many pros are wearing it. Number one: they’re light. 346 grams was the weight of one of these shoes. That compares — that’s about 30 grams lighter than ASICS’s standard- bearer — this is one of the most popular shoes in the world, the ASICS Gel Rocket, which is less expensive. The Fastball is lighter. Number two, this shoe has a low profile. When you wear this you feel low to the ground. I’m going to compare that to the Gel Rocket: it has what feels like more cushioning but you feel a little less stable, a little higher off the ground — maybe something that would be great in volleyball let’s say but in a sport like squash where you’re trying to stay low to the ground and move side to side more, this shoe provides a lot more feel on the court. Number three, the cushioning was very nice. I didn’t notice any strain on my knees or anything unusual like that. Even though the shoe is lighter, they still were very nicely cushioned after a long squash session on court. Number four, the grip is excellent. They’re court shoes. They are like most ASICS good grip on the court. I liked how these had a bit wider of a toe box I guess you could say so as you were pushing off side to side I felt like there was a lot of stability (lateral stability) in this shoe in terms of the grip. Like I said I’ve been using these for about a month and I’ll just show you some of the wear and tear. It’s pretty minor um I don’t even know if you can really see that but there’s some scuffing on the front left toe which is normal for me and also some wear here on the front left instep — also normal for me. There was no excessive damage just kind of normal wear and tear as I would have for any squash shoe with my movement style. The sizing on these is true to size. I used my normal US 11.5 and felt that they were very comfortable. The one bit I’ll tell you about is that the toe box is pretty large, so I found myself a lot of times tightening up the laces quite a bit around the toe box area and sometimes I would get this sort of scrunched up look on the shoe trying to get it to um feel snug around the toe box. If you have if you need a larger toe box this is a good option for you. The price of the Fastball 3 is 108 Euros. I bought these for 108 Euros so it’s a bit on the more expensive side from ASICS but you’re getting a high quality shoe for your money. I’m going to put a video right here of the unboxing video if you want to learn a little bit more about how these look right out of the box and some of the materials they use.
Here’s a good look at the shoes (in German):
Asics Gel Fastball 3 – 2023
Here are some updated colors I’ve only seen coming out of Japan. I actually bought the white/black pair off eBay.
White / Black
Black / Fresh Ice
Peacoat / Vibrant Yellow
Digital Grape / White
Spotted
Hania El Hammamy at the British Open:
Asics Gel Fastball 3 – 2021
Men
Reborn Blue / White
I like this blue, white and orange color scheme.
Black / Red
That’s a beauty.
Spotted
Marwan Elshorbagy at the 2022 British Open:
Women
Asics Gel Fastball 3 – 2020
Men
Victor Crouin had these at the 2021 British Open:
Ali Farag at the 2022 British Open:
Women
Here’s a blue and pink one:
Asics Gel Fastball 3 – 2019 Models
Men
Here’s a new cosmetic for 2019 that I just spotted at PDH Sports in the UK. This colourway is called “Lake Drive / Sour Yuzu”.
Spotted
Mahesh Mangaonkar at the 2020 Black Ball:
Photo via Black Ball 2020 →
Racket: Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125
Location: 2020 Black Ball Open
Pakistan’s Tayyab Aslam at the 2021 World Championships:
Photo via Steve Cubbins →
Racket: Head Graphene 360+ Radical 135 SB
Location: 2021 World Championships [Men]
Shahjahan Khan at the 2021 British Open (plus Abdullah Al-Tamimi in the background):
Women
Here’s a women’s one from 2019. Black, yellow and pink:
Image via handballshop.com →
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (Canada): racquetguys.ca | racquet-science.com
Buy (US): racquetguys.com
Spotted
Camille Serme has these:
Asics Gel Fastball 3 – 2018 Models
Men
The 2018 model in black and orange. I might have to get this one.
Image via handballshop.com →
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (Canada): controlthet.com | racquetguys.ca | racquet-science.com
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (US): racquetguys.com
Spotted
Mohamed El Shorbagy is using this one. Here he is at the World Series Finals in 2018:
Photo via SquashSite →
Youssef Soliman was wearing these at the 2018 Black Ball Open:
Photo via BBSO / SquashSite →
Mazen Hesham had the Asics Gel Fastball 3 at the 2019 British Open:
Photo via British Open 2019 →
Another 2018 model that looks green and black:
Women
Here’s the 2018 model in light blue I guess?
Image via handballshop.com →
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (Canada): racquetguys.ca | racquet-science.com
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (US): racquetguys.com
Spotted
Salma Hany was spotted with these at the 2019 TOC:
Photo via tocsquash.com →
Racket: Harrow Vapor
Location: 2019 Tournament of Champions
Here’s Millie Tomlinson in 2019:
Photo via BlackBallSquash →
Racket: Dunlop Precision Ultimate
Location: 2019 Black Ball Open
Hania El Hammamy at the 2021 Black Ball:
Photo via Steve Cubbins →
Racket: Tecnifibre Carboflex Airshaft 125 NS
Location: 2021 Black Ball Open Women
2017 Models
Men
The 2017 model:
Image via volleybaer.de →
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Spotted
The Shorbagy brothers have been wearing these recently. Here they are at the 2017 US Open:
Photo via US Open Squash
Photo via US Open Squash
Women
Here’s the 2017 women’s model:
Image via efloorball.net →
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Spotted
Hania El Hammamy at the 2019 TOC:
Photo via tocsquash.com →
Racket: Tecnifibre Carboflex X-Speed 125
Location: 2019 Tournament of Champions
Joelle King too:
Photo via tocsquash.com →
Racket: Head Graphene Touch Speed 135 Slimbody
Location: 2019 Tournament of Champions
Jasmine Hutton too:
Photo via cibworlds.squashsite.net →
Racket: Victor IP 10
Location: 2019 Women’s World Championships
Thanks
Thanks to John, Sanna, Darrell and D-Man for the tips!
Tor Schjølberg says
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Makin definitely wore these at Canary Wharf
D says
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These are my favourite squash shoes by miles. Can’t find them anywhere in NA in popular sizing at the moment though. Hoping ASICS will be sending more this way soon.
b says
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Yes, for such a popular shoe, the supply seems very tight.
J says
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Looks like Ali Farag may be starting to use these?
B says
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He’s wearing the blue and yellow version in Canary Wharf I believe?
b says
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hi there, as regards the different colour-ways, is there any other difference between say the blue and red 2017 model and the 2021 models other than the colour? i.e. does the design of the shoe get updated in any ways?
Pierre says
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I believe those are exactly the same other than the colour
b says
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Thanks Pierre! how have you found them since you started playing with them?
B says
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hi, what’s the general view on these? i just don’t think they’re as good as the original Fastball shoe
Feroze Gulzar says
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Can anyone compare Salming Kobra 1 size to Fastball 3. I wear a uk10 kobra, shd I get same size in fastball 3?
Håvard says
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I play with the Kobra 1 (mid) version and the Fastball 3, both in a UK size 9. The Fastball is definitely snugger (as most of the Asics tend to be, the Kobra is a pretty roomy shoe), but unless you feel like your Kobras are already on the tight side I’d recommend sticking with the same size. Good luck!
Feroze Gulzar says
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Thanks. That really helps. So basically I don’t have to worry about finding the fastballs too big? If anything they could be snugger than the Kobras?
D-Man says
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New color available:
https://www.pdhsports.com/imgs/products/uk/950_constW/SMAC13396~fastball3lakedrive_P1.jpg
Pierre says
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Thanks D-Man, they’re posted above!
Pierre-Marc Lefebvre says
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Very direct feel. Not much cushioning. To hard for my old back ! Still good shoe, very light !
Dave says
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I’ve just finished using a pair of the 2018 black/orange shoes…
Overall to me these feel ‘cheaper’ than previous Asics I’ve had and I won’t be buying them again.. they are lightweight and haven’t had any issues with durability, but I’m not convinced they offer enough support for me and feel quite ‘slipper’ like…
D-Man says
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I would consider everything you mentioned to be by-design and for me, positive! Lightweight, durable, medium-level support, and slipper-like!
I find they provide ample support but if you want more, then you’re looking at the Blast range or something from another brand.
Vendors are running out of the FB3 so I thought I’d try the Salming Hawk. Friends have told me they are “low to the ground” and “slipper-like”. So far, compared to the FB3, they are like wearing winter boots. Granted, I have only used them once, but the other thing I was told was “they break-in in less than 10 minutes”. Anyways, I was able to find one more pair of FB3 in 9.5 so that should tie me over until the FB4 comes out later this year. Just have to hope they bring them to North America again next year.
Thanks for your feedback. It is clear we’re all different animals with different preferences.
B says
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Really like the look of the white / light blue ladies models. Is there any difference between the men’s shoe and the ladies shoe? or is it just a marketing thing.
Pierre says
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I think it’s just a marketing thing, however men’s and ladies sizes are different. You can convert them with this chart:
http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html#adult
B says
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Thanks for the link – so if I read correctly, sizes in europe are the same for men and women? Thanks!
Pierre says
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Ah – yes!
George says
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I would know this shoes are availabe in USA
Jason Kim says
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george, controlthet has them here
https://www.controlthet.com/asics-gel-fastball-3-black-shocking-orange-indoor-court-shoes/
I got them shipped to Korea so I assume they can ship to the US just fine.
D-Man says
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Shocking orange model now available in Canada:
https://www.controlthet.com/asics-gel-fastball-3-black-shocking-orange-indoor-court-shoes/
Pierre says
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Added, thanks
Olubunmi says
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Hello guys..
Please I wanna know which is the overall better “squash shoe” between the new asics gel blast FF and the new asics gel fastball 3 2018 model (black and orange colour).
Which would u recommend for a squash player. Looking at Court grip, Durability, support and comfort… all those things etc.
Thanks.
Olubunmi says
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Hello guys..
Please I wanna know which is the overall better “squash shoe” between the new asics gel blast FF and the new asics gel fastball 3 2018 model (black and orange colour).
Which would u recommend for a squash player. Looking at Court grip, Durability, support and comfort… all those things etc.
Thanks.
D-Man says
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New colors:
https://www.handballshop.com/asics-gel-fastball-3-e712n-001.html
https://www.handballshop.com/asics-gel-fastball-3-women-e762n-400.html
D-Man says
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Also:
http://asics.scene7.com/is/image/asics/E712N_9093_0010298462_RT?$zoom$
Pierre says
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Thanks D-Man! I’ve added them
MW says
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Moved from Gel Fireblast to these recently. I can usually step into a pair of Asics without any problems, but these have given me blisters on the balls of both feet.
Wondering if anyone else has experienced this – or maybe just me??
D-Man says
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I have not noticed the Fastball 3 to be any better or worse than other shoes with respect to blisters or calluses. And I’ve used pretty much every Asics and Salming shoe.
I am prone to calluses on the balls of my feet in all court shoes. I combat this by taping during play and shaving the calluses off in between play. I use Trusox to prevent slippage as much as possible and am also using an aftermarket insole (superfeet orange) to provide more of an arch (takes some pressure off the ball of foot) and greater cushioning in the ball of foot area.
Hope this is helpful.
MW says
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Thanks – that sounds really interesting.
I put a new set of Sorbothane Pro insoles in before anything else, but I might give the Trusox a try…. never had this problem before 🙁
Tor says
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Karakal also makes anti slip socks and doesn’t cost a fortune like truesox. If I forget my karakal socks at home and play with normal socks it just feels plain wrong.
Joao says
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Have you tried the Salming Hawk? If so, what is your opinion between those and these! 😜. Thanks
D-Man says
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I think Mo Elshorbagy is wearing these at the NetSuite Open.
Pierre says
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D-Man says
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Marwan, too, now, at the U.S. Open.
Anybody going to Europe want to get me a pair?
D-Man says
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Apparently, we’re not getting these in North America this year. Bummer. PDHSports has them but its £40 to send them over here (plus whatever border patrol decides to tack on).
B says
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these look really cool, i’m still using the fastball 1 though (bought a good few pairs of them before they stopped making them!!!!)