Asics Gel Rocket 9 Indoor Court Shoes

The Asics Gel Rocket 9 indoor court shoes. They are part of the long-running Asics Gel Rocket line.

The Asics Gel Rocket 9 are marketed by Asics as volleyball shoes, but they are commonly used for other indoor court sports including squash and badminton.

In the squash world, the Gel Rocket line is known as being good value for money. These shoes are certainly popular at the club level because of their price point, but the quality is good enough that many professional squash players use the Gel Rocket line.

These are the ninth iteration of the Gel Rocket range, and they were first spotted in May of 2019. The prior versions are the Asics Gel Rocket 8, and before that the Asics Gel Rocket 7.

Here is some product information from Asics.com.

With exceptional fit, enhanced traction and upgraded, shock-absorbing cushioning, our GEL-Rocket® 8 model is a top-level shoe at an entry-level price. Known as a longtime favorite of beginner and intermediate court players, the latest GEL-Rocket® incarnation features our stabilizing Trusstic System® technology, gum rubber on the outsole for unparalleled traction and our signature forefoot GEL® technology cushioning. Weight: 11.9 oz.

The Asics Gel Rocket 9 come in a men’s version and a women’s version.

Asics Gel Rocket 9 Review and Unboxing

Here’s an unboxing of the Gel Rocket 9s. They are good-looking shoes in person. One cosmetic difference of these shoes versus the Gel Rocket 8s is the “GEL-ROCKET” label on the heel of the shoe.

Here’s my review of the Asics Gel Rocket 9. In a nutshell, these are very similar to the prior model, so if you liked the Asics Gel Rocket 8, the 9 is going to suit you just fine. The feel is very similar.

Some other points:

I feel the outer sole of each shoe is ‘banked’ on the outside, which feels like an intentional design decision to help you push off laterally
As usual, the Rockets do not have an easily removable insole. You can remove it but it’s glued down and you have to rip it out
These weighed 372 grams on my home scale (size US 11.5)
If you’re looking for a cheaper shoe, try the Asics Gel Upcourt
If you’re willing to spend a little more, try the Asics Gel Tactic 2, which are a nice step up.