Here’s a shoe called the Asics Gel Fastball. It’s a handball shoe, so it would be appropriate for any indoor court.
Update: this shoe was replaced by the Asics Gel Fastball 2
This year a number of players have migrated to the Asics Gel Fastball, especially those who were fans of the Asics Gel Blast 5 but have been disappointed with the Asics Gel Blast 6.
Men
Here’s a blue, black and silver one, spotted in 2015. Thanks for the tip, D-Man!
Image via controlthet.com
Spotted
The Shorbagy brothers were both wearing these shoes at the 2016 Tournament of Champions. Thanks to D-Man, Bernard and Trent for the tips.
Here’s Mohamed:
Photo via tocsquash.com →
And here’s Marwan (at the T):
Photo via tocsquash.com →
I like this yellow, red, black and silver deal, spotted in 2015:
Image via zalando.co.uk
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (Canada): amazon.ca | controlthet.com
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
This one looks decent too — spotted in 2015:
Image via zalando.co.uk
Spotted
I think Alister Walker was wearing these at the 2015 US Open:
Photo by Steve Cubbins ∞
And Joe Lee was wearing the Asics Gel Fastball at the 2016 British Nationals:
Photo via Steve Cubbins →
Blue and yellow — 2015:
Image via spartoo.co.uk
Black and green — a 2014 model:
Image via zalando.co.uk
Red and orange – from 2014, no longer available:
Image via zalando.co.uk
Women
Image via amazon.co.uk
Sponsored Links ↓
Buy (Canada): amazon.ca
Buy (France): amazon.fr
Buy (Germany): amazon.de
Buy (UK): amazon.co.uk
Have you tried these shoes? Please leave a review in the comments!
Olly says
()
Have gone back using these (again) switching from the fastball 3s, they’re simply awesome – the extra cushioning is quite noticeable.
Just one Q, can these still be bought anywhere?
olly says
()
ah the original fastball – still for my money the best squash shoe of all. even better than the newer versions of the fastball. wore it tonight and thankfully i’ve a good few spare pairs!
D-Man says
()
At the Hong Kong Open, Mohamed Elshorbagy using the original Fastball and Marwan Elshorbagy using the new Fastball-2.
D-Man says
()
Asics Gel-Fastball 2 is up at http://www.controlthet.com for pre-order with expected release date of July 5, 2016.
http://www.controlthet.com/asics-gel-fastball-2-blue-safety-yellow-white-indoor-court-shoes/
Pierre says
()
Thanks D-Man! I’ve created a separate page for the Asics Gel Fastball 2.
Will says
()
Black colour of the fastball is out too
http://www.brownssports.com/index.php?id_product=1389&controller=product
Pierre says
()
Here’s the pic. Looks quite different from the blue pair. I wonder if Brown’s made a mistake with this listing.
Thomas says
()
Thanks to this thread and blog I got mine from Amazon DE delivered directly at my house in FINLAND for under 60euros. Thats less than half what they cost here.
After wearing them for 3 session (6 hours) I can agree with the earlier comment that the more I wear them the more I love them.
bernard says
()
The site efloorball.net have pics of the new fastball 2 on their fb page! looks cool
hope it’s not a case of a new model for the sake of it though, that ends up being bulkier and heavier with ‘new features’!!!!
JLB says
()
Also noted they have pics of the Gel Blast 7’s… interesting change again on the design
Pierre says
()
Posted the Asics Gel Blast 7 there
Pierre says
()
Here’s the Asics Gel Fastball 2 photo:
bernard says
()
they (the fastball) look really cool, wonder will the Shorbagys move to these or stick with their original blue and black version
Dimitry Franck says
()
Hello Pierre
Where can I buy these shoes (Asics Gel Fastball 2)?
Thanks for your answer.
Greetings
Dimitry
Pierre says
()
They’re not out yet 🙂
I will post about them when they come out
Michal says
()
They will be available at erakiety.com, soon!
Pierre says
()
Thanks bernard, I’ve just posted a new page for the Asics Gel Fastball 2.
Bernard says
()
I have to say these shoes are absolutely awesome, the more i play with them, the more i love them.
only problem is i really like the blue / black design and it’s almost impossible to get these version here in Ireland.
bernard says
()
Tried these at the wkend, super shoe
bobo says
()
can someone tell me 25 cm which size is in uk please
Pierre Bastien says
()
Try this chart: http://www.i18nguy.com/l10n/shoes.html
Rahul says
()
I have not worn a better pair of squash shoes for squash than the Gel Fastball (I bought the blue and yellow pair and found them only on the Amazon Germany store). The ability to turn laterally with a solid grip and support while stopping fast and moving back from the front wall is very impressive. I like the rhino skin which is super hardy and avoids the damage (to an extent) done by constant friction to the wooden floor. Depending on your feet shape, these can be really snug. Big up from me lads.
Karl says
()
Based on your comment (and some other suggestions) I went into the deep water and bought myself a pair as well.
Same as for you, needed to buy it from Amazon Germany (which I speak), and luckily they ship to Australia.
Awaiting delivery on Friday, looking quite forward to giving them a go.
Rahul says
()
Good Choice 🙂
It been ~4 months since I have been wearing them now. Having broken into them well and love it still. They have also significantly dropped prices so you would have got a sweet deal. Cheers
Pierre Bastien says
()
Thanks for the tips guys, I have added some photos to the post.
Bernard says
()
Both Elshorbagy bros are wearing the black and blue version now at the 2016 ToC
D-Man says
()
I think both Mohamed and Marwan Elshorbagy are using the blue version of these at the TOC.
D-Man says
()
I’ve had my pair for over a month now and am still trying to break them in. Since new, they’ve been a bit too narrow, and the toe beside my pinky toe gets squished. I ordered the same size as my Blast 4/5 shoes (9.5) but these definitely seem slightly more narrow and less forgiving than the Blasts which also were a bit tight at first but quickly adapted to my feet. Length of the 9.5’s is perfect. Am also having a bit more blistering on the right ball of foot than with the Blasts (despite using ENGO pads), possibly related to different shoe geometry as the Fastball seems to sit a bit higher at the heel.
The shoes themselves perform fantastic, though. Amazing grip and lateral support.
Will try to break them in a bit more and report back. Am limited to using them in solo sessions and for matches, have been rotating through my old pairs of Blast 4’s, choosing the pair that looks the least abused. With four pairs of Blast 4’s to rotate through, I think I can make it to July 2017 when the Blast 7 comes out but am still hoping the Fastball proves to be a shoe that I can make work for me.
D-Man says
()
These shoes are definitely more narrow at the toes than some of the other Asics shoes I’ve used in the past — ones like the Blast and Domain. And they definitely don’t “give” as much so if they are a bit tight, its difficult to make them fit just by wearing them. I eventually took a hair-dryer to my pair and pushed from the inside outward at the place where my toe (4th toe beside pinky) was getting squished. I got the leather to expand just enough that the pinching seemed to be better — maybe even gone. I then took the shoes to some friendly matches this morning and low and behold, the pinching was no longer an issue. I was finally able to fully utilize and enjoy these shoes the way they were meant to be. And boy are they good. Light, stable, and amazing grip. I could go on but I think this thread is already full of accolades.
So to conclude — a bit more narrow than some other Asics models; take some break-in time if you have medium to wider feet, with break-in potentially accelerated by using a hair-dryer and some pushing from the inside outward. But once broken in, a very capable shoe — possibly the best I’ve worn — similar stability and grip to the old Blast models but noticeably lighter.
Hope this helps somebody. Particularly somebody who wants to give up on the shoe due to its slightly narrow toe-box.
bernard says
()
I have to agree with the above, i’m a long term adidas fan but these shoes are the best shoes i’ve worn – i like the fact they’re a bit tighter on your foot too.
D-Man says
()
These shoes are fantastic for squash. The only problem I’ve encountered is that, being a left inside foot dragger, the outer sole on the inside of the left foot takes a beating and is separating from the white foam piece. Maybe its just my pair that is defective. I don’t know. To try to reduce the damage, I’ve covered that area with duct tape and it will last a couple games before wearing through. I’ve also tried shoe-goo. Also lasts a couple games before wearing through. Its too bad because these shoes are awesome otherwise. Is there anything out there more resilient than shoe-goo that would last longer? I wouldn’t be surprised to see a slight design update for the Fastball-2 where this part of the sole is better protected, like you see with the Domain line.
Bernard says
()
is there a Fastball-2 in the pipeline?? fantastic squash shoe
D-Man says
()
Yes, according to my guy, he can no longer get new Fastball stock. The reason is that they’ve moved on to the Fastball-2. Probably a July release (same as Blast-7).
Mark Furlong says
()
Have pair of these..plain to see to any asics user they are the exact same as the gel beyond 4…on par with salming viper..down to personal choice after that………
Pierre Bastien says
()
Via Control the T:
D says
()
These are gaining in popularity here in Toronto. As a long time Asics Blast user, the new 6 has changed for the worse in my opinion. It seems many people who dislike the 6 but prefer Asics are gravitating toward the Fastball as a great alternative, and $40 more in my pocket, no less!
For myself, I find the Fastballs just as comfy and grippy out of the box as any pair of Salmings, but more durable. My Salming R1s hardly lasted a couple of months. If the Fastballs hold up as well as all my old Blast 4s and 5s, I’ll be an extremely happy camper.
D-Man says
()
Now also available in black/silver/blue.
http://www.controlthet.com/asics-gel-fastball-electic-blue-silver-black-squash-shoes/
Pierre Bastien says
()
Thanks D-Man, added it.
Zsolt says
()
Just a little nick-pick in the description: they are made by asics, not adidas. They are a cheaper version of the fireblast. It has the same build but lacks certain technologies like the fireblast has: CGS, heel lock material at the top. I tried them on, and they are really good, would need some weeks to break in as it has a rhino skin (leather-ish) upper. In the same category as the Salming viper
Zsolt says
()
IGS (Impact Guidance System (I.G.S.®) not CGS, my bad
Pierre Bastien says
()
Whoops, thanks Zsolt! Fixed.
Prog says
()
Zsolt. Did you tried both shoes Fireblast and Fastball? Any favorite and why?
Prog says
()
I have an option to buy the fastball and the fireblast (the first edition) for almost the same price. Anybody has any comments which would be the best?