In this article I’m going to tell you what I think are the 9 best squash shoes on the market today:
- Asics Gel Fastball 3 (my favorite but hard to find)
- Asics Upcourt 5 (great deal)
- Asics Gel Rocket 11 (good deal)
- Asics Blast FF 3 (comfortable and secure)
- Asics Gel Tactic 12 (midrange)
- Adidas Crazyflight (it’s adidas)
- Salming Recoil Ultra (most cushioned and supportive)
- Asics Gel Renma (older midrange)
- Eye S-Line (pros use it)
I’ll also list out the main squash shoe brands and answer some frequently-asked questions below. But for now, let’s get to the list.
Here’s a video I put together covering some of the best squash shoes for 2023-2024. You can watch it here or read a transcript below.
I’m still updating the page below with my advice from the video. Stay tuned.
How I Pick the Best Squash Shoes
It’s a little tricky to put together a list of the best squash shoes and I’ll tell you the first reason why:
Feet are weird.
For starters, some people have large feet and some people have small feet. That’s why the brands manufacture shoes in different sizes. But you knew that.
Beyond that, there are all sorts of different feet out there, on all different types of players:
- Wide feet
- Narrow feet
- Big toes
- Small toes
- Flat feet
- High arches
- Young player
- Old player
- Fast mover
- Slow mover
- Heavy-set
- Ali Farag
- Foot dragger
- Not a foot dragger*
*just kidding, doesn’t exist
There’s another problem I’ve got to deal with when making shoe recommendations.
Shoe manufacturers are weird.
I want you to imagine, for just a second, the *perfect squash shoe* — one that is popular with squash players at both the amateur and pro levels, that sells well year after year, that is just the right blend of cushioning, weight, comfort, durability, and style.
Ok, are you imagining the perfect shoe?
Now, let’s pretend you are in the shoe business, and not only that, but this perfect shoe happens to be in YOUR product lineup.
What would your next step be?
Simple: you’d stop making the shoe.
I’m not kidding.
This happens ALL THE TIME. I’ve been running this blog for over ten years and I’ve seen it over and over again. A shoe will come out. Squash players will test it out, and it will gradually become popular.
Suddenly people all over the world are buying it. Pros, club players, everyone. And then, like clockwork, the shoe company stops making it. Or they release an updated design that’s significantly different from the design that everyone loved.
Why does this happen? I don’t know. Maybe there’s a good business reason for it. Maybe they’re inhaling a little too much glue down at the shoe factory. Whatever the reason, we can’t control it, so we just have to roll with it.
I’m now going to give you a few of my top picks, but considering everything I said above, please remember two things:
- Whatever shoes you might buy, you’ll need to test them out for yourself. There’s no substitute for this. Shoes that work for my weird feet might not work for your weird feet.
- If you like a particular set of shoes, buy multiple pairs! That way you’ll have a backup in case the manufacturer stops making it.
One more thing. You know how the whole pandemic situation messed with manufacturing supply chains across the entire world? Well that was especially true for squash shoes. For one thing, the manufacturing is done mostly in Asia, which has been greatly disrupted by coronivirus infections and shutdowns. And with their suddenly limited resources, shoe companies have been redirecting their efforts to making outdoor shoes like running shoes and so on, which are selling better in the pandemic and post-pandemic. So basically I’m gonna repeat myself and say it again except in bold caps: IF YOU LIKE A SQUASH SHOE, BUY MULTIPLE PAIRS!
Asics Gel Fastball 3
My favorite but hard to find.
Product Info
Release year: 2019
Price: $160
Gender: Men
Color: Lake Drive / Sour Yuzu
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (US): amazon.com | ebay.com | squashgear.com
Search:NOTE: this shoe is in very low supply right now. In the US, you can only buy it in the smaller shoe sizes. If you have normal to larger feet, one option is to click Search > eBay under Sponsored Links above and choose your local eBay site. There are some sellers from Japan selling the latest colorways and delivering internationally. I have purchased two pairs this way (to the USA). I know this won’t work for everyone, especially for returns etc., but since it’s my favorite shoe I’m keeping it up here until it’s no longer available.
The Asics Gel Fastball 3 is my pick for the best overall shoe right now. It’s the shoe I’m personally using at the moment and it’s also the choice of several pro players.
The Fastball offers a low profile, meaning a relatively thin sole, so you feel “close to the court” as you’re scrambling around. Despite the thin sole, it’s still got decent cushioning because Asics has put some of their more advanced technologies into this shoe.
I’ve been using the Fastball 3 for years and overall have found them to have very good durability. They have a strong but lightweight plastic reinforcement around the toe to protect against wear from foot drag. There’s not too much visible stitching on the shoe — meaning there are fewer weak points for the shoes to come apart.
I personally like the cosmetics of this line of shoes. They have some bright color choices, so they are far from boring, but at the same time the designs aren’t crazy over the top.
This shoe has some of the nicest insoles I’ve seen. They are removable, so if you wear orthotics, or just want to let your shoes air out after playing, you can slide them out. The insoles are a little more rigid than others on the market, so it’s easy and quick to slot them back into the shoe.
Another nice thing about these shoes is they are available in the US, UK and Europe. So I can be fairly confident that they’ll be available to most Squash Source readers.
If there’s one drawback to these shoes it’s the price. They are on the expensive side, but in my opinion they’re worth the extra cost.
Asics Upcourt 5
Great deal.
Product Info
Release year: 2022
Price: $60
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Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (US): amazon.com | asics.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com | zappos.com
Search:The Asics Upcourt 5 is the least expensive shoe on this page. If you just want an inexpensive pair to get you out onto the squash court, these are a great option.
The Upcourt 5 is not very cushioned, and not very durable — especially the stitching around the toe box, which is vulnerable to coming apart due to toe drag. But the styles are decent and they are perfectly playable.
One downside of these shoes is they’re a bit narrow. Asics shoes in general are on the narrow side, but these feel even a little bit narrower than most.
Asics Gel Rocket 11
Good deal.
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Buy (US): amazon.com | asics.com | holabirdsports.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com | zappos.com
Search:The Asics Gel Rocket range has been hugely popular over the years because you get a decent shoe at a very reasonable price. The Asics Gel Rocket 11 continue that trend.
The Asics Gel Rocket 11 is pretty similar to the Upcourt 5: it isn’t very cushioned, and it’s not very durable, because the stitching on the toe is easy to wear down. In my opinon the Rocket design is a little better-looking than the Upcourt 5. It also has a small piece of Asics Gel in the heel, which may provide some additional cushioning. Finally I think the Rockets are a bit less narrow than the Upcourts.
Asics Blast FF 3
Comfortable and secure.
Product Info
Release year: 2022
Price: $140
Gender: Men
Color: French Blue/White
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (Canada): controlthet.com
Buy (US): asics.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com | zappos.com
Search:I purchased the Blast FF 3 recently on the recommendation of one of my affiliates. So far I have tried it out multiple times on court and felt the comfort and grip was excellent.
The Blast FF 3 has a sock-like liner that holds your foot securely and feels super soft and comfortable too. The construction is high quality, with zero stitching around the toe box, and a bit of armor on the outside for pushing off side to side.
At this point, for my own use, I alternate between the Blast FF 3 and the Fastball 3, depending on whether I want to feel a little speedier (Fastball) or a little more comfortable (Blast FF).
In addition to the recommendations I’ve heard and my own initial testing, I’m also aware that this particular Blast FF range has been used by several pro squash players, so overall I feel confident in recommending it.
Asics Gel Tactic 12
Midrange.
Product Info
Release year: 2023
Price: $100
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (US): asics.com | holabirdsports.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com | zappos.com
Search:OK, I know this is the FOURTH Asics shoe I’ve recommended already. Asics is a huge player in the court shoe market and they have a ton of good models. I’ll get to some other brands in a sec.
The Asics Gel Tactic has been one of my go-to recommendations for a few years now because it’s a good balance of comfort and durability, for a competitive price. It’s hard to beat the value for money of this one.
The Asics Gel Tactic 12 is the current iteration of this shoe. What sets it apart is a bit of extra cushioning in the sole, plus some reinforcement for lateral stability. You can find cheaper shoes (see the Gel Rockets above) but those tend to have a bit less support and stability.
A number of pro squash players have worn prior versions of this shoe, which tells you that in addition to being competitively priced, this shoe clearly can stand up to the rigors of the pro game.
One caveat on the Gel Tactic: they keep changing the design (of course). The older versions are good shoes too, if you can find them. The previous model was called simply the Asics Gel Tactic.
Adidas Crazyflight
It’s adidas.
Image via handballshop.com
Product Info
Release year: 2022
Price: $140 | £130
Gender: Men
Color: Footwear White / Core Black / Footwear White
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (UK): adidas.co.uk
Buy (US): amazon.com | zappos.com
Search:The Adidas Crazyflight. They look cool and Paul Coll plays with them. They are well cushioned, and have good grip on court.
My main beef with these shoes is they are a little too small in the heel. Never had that problem before with shoes.
Salming Recoil Ultra
Most cushioned and supportive.
Product Info
Release year: 2023
Price: $180
Gender: Men
Color: Black
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (US): holabirdsports.com | squashgalaxy.com | squashgear.com
Search:These guys are very soft and cushinoned. Bit expensive, but you get great cushining and ankle support.
Asics Gel Renma
Older midrange.
The Asics Gel Remna is a new model from Asics that first appeared in 2021. This is a shoe aimed at the pickleball market, but I have tried it out for the squash court and found it to be excellent for the price.
Product Info
Release year: 2021
Price: $90
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Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (Canada): racquetguys.ca | racquet-science.com
Buy (US): amazon.com | asics.com | racquetguys.com | squashgalaxy.com | zappos.com
Search:The grip on court is very good right out of the box. There was absolutely no break-in time for these. The stability of these shoes is also very nice. Your foot feels very secure in the them. Finally the Renma also have good cushioning for your knees. All in all, they’re a great option.
The downsides of these are firstly that the extra cushioning means they are a little bit heavier and higher off the ground than the Asics Gel Fastball. If you want the speediest shoe, get the Fastball. If you want a little more cushioning, try the Renma. Another issue that’s on my radar is the toe of these shoes is not very breathable, which might result in some stinky shoes. I’m going to be keeping an eye on that over the course of the next few months to see how it pans out.
Eye S-Line
Pros use it.
Product Info
Release year: 2019
Price: $135
Affiliate Links
Squash Source receives a commission when you buy through these links. Thanks!
Buy (Canada): controlthet.com
Buy (US): squashgear.com
Search:The Eye S-Line models come in a variety of bold color options and are very popular on the pro circuit.
I tested these out and I’m gonna be honest, these shoes hurt my feet after a while. The soles are not cushioned enough for my 40-plus-year-old feet.
The reason I’m including them on this list is SO many pro players use them that it would feel almost weird not to mention these.
Why Trust My Opinion
I’ve been playing squash since I was a teenager, including playing 4-5 times per week and playing in leagues and tournaments. I’ve also been running this blog for ten years now, so I’ve seen a lot of squash shoes come and go.
My general approach is to test out as many shoes as I can reasonably get my hands on. I’ll play with them for a few weeks before reviewing them. For each review I’m able to do, I like to take account of the shoe’s grip, weight, cosmetics, durability, and overall comfort. I also read all the comments on Squash Source to get an idea of what other people are saying.
Squash Shoe FAQ
What are the top squash shoe brands?
Here are some brands of squash shoes I’ve covered so far on Squash Source. Sometimes these brands make squash-specific shoes, and other times they make shoes for other indoor court sports like handball, volleyball or badminton that also can be used for squash.
Adidas | Ashaway | Asics | Babolat | Black Knight | Dunlop | Eye | Harrow | Head | Hi-Tec | Karakal | Kempa | Mizuno | New Balance | Nike | Oliver | Prince | Python | Salming | Teuton | Victor | Wilson | Yonex
What is special or different about squash shoes?
The most important thing about squash shoes is they must be non-marking. Meaning, they will not leave marks on the squash court.
Oftentimes, non-marking shoes will literally say “non-marking” on the sole. Other times you need to read the product description to find out.
Here are some things for you to consider:
- Grip – do the shoes give you good traction?
- Durability – how well do the shoes hold up over time?
- Comfort – do they fit well and feel comfortable?
- Cushioning – how well do they protect your knees and the rest of your body?
- Weight – sometimes shoes with more cushioning will also be heavier
Can you use volleyball/handball/badminton shoes for squash?
Yes. Those are indoor court sports. Many of the bestselling squash shoes are aimed at those markets but will be non-marking and perfectly fine for squash.
Can you use running shoes for squash?
No. Sorry. There is a chance they will leave permanent black marks on the squash court floor. I wouldn’t risk it.
Can you wear squash shoes outside?
Well…. I don’t.
I’m possibly a bit of a purist but I don’t want to get dirt and other outdoor gunk on my squash shoes.
For one thing, I feel like that will damage or dirty the squash courts. But more importantly, I feel like that will negatively impact how well my shoes grip the court. I don’t want to risk getting injured, even over something small like that.
How long do squash shoes last?
It depends on how you drag your feet on court and whether your shoes are sturdy at those spots.
Aside from foot drag, the other thing that can send shoes to the graveyard is foot odor. Check out my article on how to deal with squash shoe odor for some tips on dealing with stink.
But to answer the question, a good pair will last me 6-12 months playing a few times a week.
How do I convert international shoe sizes to my normal size?
Best Squash Shoes 2023-24 Video Review Transcript
Transcript
What’s up guys it’s Pierre and in this video I’m gonna go through what I think are some of the best squash shoes for the current season which is 2023 to 2024.
I don’t have all of the shoes out there in the world. I haven’t tried them all but these are the ones that I’ve tried myself and that I like and that I can recommend to you guys. We’re gonna do this in order of weight. I’m gonna go from the lightest to the heaviest and I’ll explain why as I go.
The lightest of the bunch is the Asics Gel Fastball 3. This shoe has been around for a while and it’s actually difficult to buy right now but it’s still my favorite squash shoe and it can still be purchased. I bought this pair, this cool colorway from Japan. That’s not for everybody but I’m including it on my list anyway. This is 330 grams. It’s my normal size which is 11.5 (US) and these cost about $120. They were more when they were uh available in the US but that’s what it costs to order it from Japan. These are light, grippy, fast, durable. They’re not the most cushioned, but…they just have that right balance of feeling fast around the court. They don’t have a lot of stitching…visible…on the front of the shoe and the toe. So even though they don’t appear to have a lot of armor out up here, they have a decent amount. They still hold together reasonably well. They’re just fast. You see a lot of pros using this particular shoe. It’s going out of stock. I don’t know what’s gonna replace it but for now it still holds the title. You can buy this on through Squash Source if you just go to search eBay, and then click US or wherever your market is and see if they’re available. How cool is this purple color scheme? Let’s gooooo…I also own the Fastball 3 in white and black just because, hey if you have good shoes, buy multiple pairs. That’s my advice to you. Shoe companies are always changing their designs. If you like a pair, buy multiple pairs.
Next the Asics Upcourt 5. These are the least expensive shoe on my list at $60 and they are only ten grams more than the Fastball 3: they’re 340 grams. These shoes are not that cushioned. They’re very light. They’re fast enough. They’re grippy enough. They work perfectly well…on the squash court. They have a lot of stitching up on the front of the shoe here that is going to tend to come apart when you drag your toes but if you’re just looking for an inexpensive pair…to get into squash or you just don’t have the budget for it, the Upcourt 5 is totally fine. Actually this fifth iteration of the Upcourt has a lot of decent styles and I actually kinda like think it’s a good shoe. Um it’s definitely a good option for if you’re looking for the budget shoe choice.
Next we have the Asics Gel Rocket 11. The most popular shoe that I post about every year is the Asics Gel Rocket. This is the eleventh iteration. It’s popular because the styling is usually pretty nice, and the price is usually pretty good. $75 in the US for this one. It is about the same weight as the Upcourt and if you were to look around these two shoes, I won’t bore you with it too much in this video I have other videos comparing these two. They’re kind of very similar. The real difference is that the Asics Gel Rocket has Asics “Gel” in it which is a little bit of cushioning that Asics puts in the Gel shoes. I have another video where I cut into an old pair of Asics Gel Rockets, and you can see that the little bit of padding is very small. It’s only about this big. I don’t know how much that really helps with the cushioning. I can’t really tell the difference between the the Rocket and the Upcourt maybe a tiny bit maybe there’s a little bit more rebound. Maybe I like the styling better, whatever but I think that…between this and the Upcourt it’s like whatever you can get your hands on whatever you like the styling of I would just go for. I personally like the Rocket styling a little better and just sort of for some reason like it a little better and I’m likely to spring the extra fifteen dollars to buy the Rocket but between the Upcourt…and the Gel Rocket you know, take your pick.
Next we have the Asics Blast FF 3. These are $140 so on the pricier end, and they weigh 375 grams so they’re twenty, uh five grams heavier than the Rockets and the Upcourts. The they just feel…super…cushy. They’re actually not that thick when I measure the amount of padding in the, in the heel with uh, with a ruler. They look about the same as the Rockets just from the external view. I’ve never cut into these but they just feel more comfortable. Part of it’s this little…sock booty thing that um lives inside them. That’s part of the expense. Your foot just slides into this like a little sleeve, and it feels very secure. It’s got a little more ankle support, and it’s also got some reinforcement…down here in the sole to kind of prevent your shoe from twisting a lot and also along the outer edge of the shoe, which is, you know helping with a little bit of uh the lateral stability and keeping the shoe sort of structured. Although the measurement wasn’t there when I look at it from externally I just feel like these are nice and soft and so these are these are if you just want a little bit more cushioning on your feet than the Rockets and the Upcourts, or the Fastballs, I would recommend these. The Um the quality of these is closer to the Fastball that is to say quite high. There’s no visible stitching. They’re not gonna come apart as easily as the Upcourts and the Rockets. They’re just a higher quality shoe that’s very comfortable.
Next we have the Asics, Yes that’s right Another pair of Asics, sorry, they’re just very easy to buy. They have a lot of different options. This is my fifth pair of Asics and my last in this list but here they are: The Asics Gel Tactic 12. Actually this is not the Tactic 12 this is the prior model. I don’t have the Tactic 12 in my house I’m just using this as a stand in. They look very similar. I’ve done a review separately of the Tactic 12s which you can check out if you wanna see the difference between this that I’m holding and the actual Tactic 12. These are $100 so they’re kind of in the mid price point and they’re 385 grams so they have like… You know the weight is a proxy for cushioning pretty much I think. That’s why I’ve done these in order of weight so you can decide like do I want more cushioning or do I want less? How are my knees? How old am I? How do I feel on court? These are 385 grams. The cushioning on these is pretty nice. They have a little bit of side armor. Not as much as the Blast FF 3. They have a little bit of support to keep your sort of foot from torsioning. They’re they’re just a good blend of price point with a little bit more cushioning if you want something… You don’t want to go the cheapest route and you don’t want to also spend close to $150 like it would be for the Blast FF 3, you can get something in the middle like your Gel Tactic 12s to kind of thread the needle a little bit and give your knees something nice…and your feet something nice, but without spending quite as much.
Next the Adidas Crazyflight. That’s right it’s not Asics, these are Adidas. Uh these are the shoes that Paul Coll wears, he’s a top five uh former world number one player. So we know that these perform on court. I got a separate review of these and all these other shoes in this video. Um these are 390 grams so they’re getting up there on the scale so that’s nice cushioning good grip on court on these. The cosmetics, I think look super cool. I love the Adidas look and how these shoes in particular look. My biggest gripe with these was I just had some fit issues. The heel cup was like kinda small on my my just foot felt sort of funny in there. For me personally, I didn’t like the fit of these but Uh but I know they work for Paul Coll and they look pretty cool so you might wanna try out some Adidas. Oh the other problem I have with these is the lacing’s a little bit weird. They’re like it’s like very spread out Um I don’t know why. Made it hard to keep them laced up and feeling tight on me. But I’ve used these. I’ve been playing padel in these or “padel” as we say here in Philly and I just like them. They’re comfortable. They’re cushioned. They feel good on my feet and on my knees. Just on the squash court they just weren’t quite as maneuverable…as I like. Um I usually like to get something a little lighter and a little faster which is although granted a little harder on my body. But hey uh so but this is these are a cool Adidas option. If you like Adidas you want to try the Paul Coll model Adidas Crazyflight.
Last, I’ve got the Salming Recoil Ultra. These shoes are new this year, they just came out, I just reviewed them. They are the most expensive ones on my list at $180. And they’re also the heaviest at 400 grams but you know what? They are so cushioned. They’re they feel so nice. Look at all that cushioning back there. Oh yeah. They feel good on the squash court despite having a bit on the weightier side. They still feel…like you can push off easily and push forward easily. They don’t feel kinda like you’re up on stilts like I sometimes feel with some heavier shoes. So basically, they’ve been well designed to put that padding to work to help your feet and your knees feel better, with sacrificing as little speed as possible. So if you’re someone who wants a little more cushioning I would definitely look at this if you can um spring for that uh for that price point. They’re also very soft around the ankles and they actually come in a mid top version which has kind of that inner sock booty thing like you saw in the Blast FF that gives you a little bit more even more ankle support. So these are just a shoe that’s great for someone who wants squash performance shoes but wants a little bit more, um protection for their body to feel comfortable out on court, if you’re not 21 anymore and you just want a little bit more protection for your body.
Those are all the shoes I got in my house that I wanted to show you. Thanks for tuning in. If you wanna hear more squash shoe reviews and squash stuff and other shoe reviews subscribe and I’ll see you next video. Bye!
alu says
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Are there any hints about increasing durability? I’ve been using Adidas shoes so far, but they wear out pretty soon. I always have the same issue with holes in the area of the inner top side of the back leg.
Adipower stabil 10 had faux leather that wore out very quickly. Adipower Stabil 11 had plastic which was better, but it is still breaking down. I tried to cover up the holes with duct tape but it merely lasts one session. Maybe other brands are better?
Alex says
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Hi. Over here in Asia, many of us go to cobblers or leather repair shops and get a piece of rawhide leather stitched over it.
andy says
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Pierre, incredible & informative site. Have been using mizuno lighting z, finally had enough with how quickly they wear and have caused me an injury in the heel not gripping the floor. Looking at harrow shoes, have not figured out which of 3 models will be purchasing, reviewed your helpful video review, any further experience involving the 3 models.. Thanks
Pierre says
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Thanks Andy, I did not get to use the Harrow shoes much after doing the reviews
Leo says
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Andy, search on amazon for the lighting z and find my review. This mizuno shoes is nor adequate for squash and it’s actually really dangerous. Had hard time arguing with mizuno so they can replace the shoes
Pierre says
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Thanks Leo, I will update these shoes with a warning that they probably aren’t good for squash
Ryan Rogen says
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I have ASICS Men’s GEL and I can advice it . These shoes are built with a lot of synthetic materials that help keep them light in weight. Even the sole on them is more synthetic based as opposed to more traditional rubber soles. Asics has designed these in several different color combinations also.
We all really like the way these shoes have excellent padding throughout them. They are very comfortable, to say the least. They have gel cushioning in both the front and back of the shoe. This also helps them fit the form of your foot nicely too.
Ahsan Najam says
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Thanks probably I need to try some thing with a bit higher sole rather than a completely flat like in Blast 5 just a thought as I tried Dunlop though not enough cushioning but felt better just a thought
Ahsan says
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Hi All
Need advice.I am using Gel Blast 5 considering I have broad feet and with recent meniscus surgery I am back in courts playing about 4-5 days a week competitive. I have noticed that now after the game my feet is hurting bad ,I wake up with pain calf and now I am being more careful I am planning to switch my shoe though I just broke into it.
Please suggest if salming is the best choice and if so which model would you recon.
Pierre Already a fan of your site and always admire your work that you have put in for all of us to benefit from. cheers
Bryan says
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I currently use the asics gel blade 5 but I understand they are discontinued. Do you anticipate that asics will come out with a gel blade 5 replacement in 2017? What is a good similar lightweight shoe?
Dan says
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Hi I wonder if you could help I’m currently wearing asics gel fireblast but have been plagued with constant calf injurys it seems ever since I started wearing these! Prior to these I had a pair of gel rockets and seemed to have no issues! Obviously I cannot be certain it’s the shoes but my calf problems are constant and I’m willing to try anything! What would you suggest?
Sean says
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Fireblast is a low profile lightweight shoe better suited for the pro’s. Get a Gel Blast 7 or Gel Fastball 2 for the best cushioning & support
Pierre says
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Hi Dan, I’ve had this happen before where I switched to a high-end well-padded shoe but my knees started hurting every time I got on court. In your case I would honestly just switch back to the Gel Rockets if they were working for you!
dan says
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Hi,
Sorry to butt in, but I’ve been warring the Black Prince NFL 11 for years!!! and wanted a change, although ive always been a little worried about ankle support. I did change a few years ago, and rolled my ankle, can you recommended a shoe that would provided all the normal attributes, as well having good ankle support like the Prince? Thank Dan
Pierre says
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I’ve always used shoes with normal/little ankle support so I’m probably not the best to advise on that. I do sometimes come across “mid-top” models that have more support around the ankles. I haven’t tried them personally but might give you some ideas.
https://www.squashsource.com/mid-squash-shoes/
A popular one on the pro tour is the Salming Race R9
Omar El-Gohary says
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Hello,
I bought a pair of the Salming Race R1 squash shoes and they were too narrow for my feet. What would you recommend for wider feet?
Would really appreciate your help.
Thanks!
Simon says
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I have wide feet and get on well with Asics shoes; both for running and squash. I currently have Asics Gel Blast 5 shoes.
Jeka says
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Try Prince/Ektelon NFS series. I use the classic ones for at least 15 years, having wider foot problem. I believe I would never replace it with another vendor pair.
Jo says
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It seems like they have been discontinued – have you found anything to replace them with ankle support?
Ali says
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Hello,
I started to get pain in my knees stays for 2 days after the game. Which shoes you recommend to support and prevent this pain?
Thanks
Ali
usman says
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i recommend salming r1 and r3 because they have better cushioning in their shoes as compared to other brands like adidas and nike
Ali says
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Thank you Usman.
Sag says
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Looking at shoes over $100AUD.
Have narrowish feet with slight arch.
Choices between:
Salming Kobra, Salming Viper 3.0, Salming Race R9, Asics Gel Volley Elite 3 and Asics Gel Ballistic
Pierre says
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I’ve tried the Kobra and the Viper and the Race R1/R2 (similar to R9 but without the extra ankle support). Of these my favorite are the Race models. I’d say my feet are also narrowish with a slight arch. I like where the arch is in the Race models. The only drawback is the Race models were a little too roomy – but just a little. I wear my regular size and just cinch them up tight. The Kobra is pretty good too and what I’m actually wearing now. The Viper was a little too flat-soled for me. I haven’t tried the two Asics you mentioned.
Spyros says
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Having also narrowish with slight arch feet, I came upon a similar dilemma a few months ago.
I have decided to go for Asics Gel Volley Elite. I have purchased the dark blue- black model, mainly for its look (much better than it seems in photos), and I have been using it for over 10 months till now.
They offer excellent grip and adequately facilitate moisture. Also, they are comfortable. Not to mention their paramount durability (I am a regular player, playing 5-6 times per week. Additionally, they show no signs of degradation, even after regularly being washed in the washing machine.)
Nevertheless, in a view to be objective, I have never used Salming footwear; thus, please do not get me that I recommend Gel Volley over Samling.
By the way, I also use Asics GEL FLARE 5, which is probably a descent shoe. Though it does not offer the same feel as Gel Volley Elite, it offers equivalent characteristics, being almost half priced.
Paul says
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Pierre, I’m currently using the Salming Race R2 3.0, and found that I needed to go down a half size to keep my heel from slipping. I’m thinking about trying the Kobra and I’m wondering: Did you find the sizing of the Kobra to be similar to the Race?
Pierre says
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It’s a good question. My instinctive response is the Race and Kobra are about the same in terms of sizing. For both, I wore my regular size but needed to cinch up my laces pretty tight. I would suggest ordering the same size you used for the Race. Hopefully it works out and/or you can exchange it easily. I will try and put on my old Races tonight and see if I can feel a difference. One thing is with the Race I feel it got even more loose over time as it wore in. The Kobra for me was a bit more structurally sound / didn’t change as much over time, if that makes any sense.
Paul says
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Thanks, Pierre! That’s a great help. I’m going to go with the size I’ve found works for the Race, which is half size down from my normal.
Are you going back to the Race after the Kobra wears out? I’m considering trying the Kobra because the Race are currently low in stock, plus some guys at our club have high praise for the Kobra.
Pierre says
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Hey Paul I’m not sure but leaning Kobra. More thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xeGlxolp5k
Paul says
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Thanks, Pierre!
B says
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Excellent site you have here but with so many options it’s hard to filter the right one out for me and would like some help.
I started playing casually about a year ago in running shoes but as of right now, my knees ache while playing and feet would hurt after so pretty sure i’d need to invest in a pair of indoor shoes.
I’m looking for something with good support and comfort. Going through other comments general recommendations seems to be either Salming or Asics.
Which one should i be considering:
– Any of the salming shoes?
– Asics blade
– Asics fireblast2 — considering these for aestheticity but haven’t seen many comments on these
– Asics rocket
Any information would be appreciated, thanks.
Sanna says
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Hi B,
Salming Race models are good for comfort and there are medium cushion. Viper models are bit lower and less cushion (or in opinion there’s none). But both of these shoes has POOR durability and traction. Personally I threw away my Race model after one month playing.
In Asics Blade and rocket models are also lower and less cushion. In these shoes you can really feel every moment on court. But if you have history of knee pains I wouldn’t recommend these shoes for you.
Other Asics models Fireblast, Fastball and Blast has more cushion and they are still good on court. Personally I play with Fastball but they’s only negative side minimal cushion on heel.
Adidas has also quite good cushion in all of there shoes.
Hope this shed a light a bit!
kkc88 says
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Best shoes with lots of cushioning are definitely the high-end Asics Gel Blast! Perfect for those who have knee problems. Moreover, these shoes last a long time due to the use of high-quality materials. The only downside is the extra cushioning makes it slightly heavier than other shoes.
B says
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Thank you Sanna and KKC for your reply. I guess i will take a look at the adidas and high end asics range 🙂
B says
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btw, what other models would be considered “high-end” for asics. I went to my local store and the range is very limited with not much to choose from.
Pete says
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I’m looking for good shoes with good heal soft cushion-my shins starts to hurts
Ray palmer says
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Would you recommend the asics gell rocket 7 volleyball court shoe for squash ?
Pierre says
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Yes, they are my favorite low-cost squash shoe
James Potter says
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Hello Pierre,
I enjoy the site, it’s very informative. Lately I’ve been having some knee pain, could you recommend the best shoes for this? I almost pulled the trigger on the Dunlops at the ToC but am hesitant based on the feedback in your review of them. What have been the best shoes for protecting knees?
Thanks in advance and keep up the good work,
James
Pierre says
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Thanks James. I personally used to have knee pain when I was using the Adidas Adipower Stabil 10s from a few years ago. These have lots of padding and initially everything was great, but after a few months I felt that pain in my knees develop. I switched to Salming, specifically the Race models, and that pain went away. In retrospect I’m not sure why the Salmings worked over time but the Adidas didn’t, even though both are considered well padded. Maybe it’s just something about my feet?? I guess what I’m trying to say is you may need to experiment. The Dunlop Flash Ultimates in my opinion did not have enough padding. What you can do though is buy an athletic insert to give you additional cushioning. Here are some examples. Come to think of it, those Dunlops might be a good candidate for inserts because they seemed to have extra space inside the shoe, meaning vertical space, like I think there’s room to add an insert and not feel like you were falling out the top of the shoes. Hope that helps.
James Potter says
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Pierre thanks so much for your response. I currently use Superfeet orange inserts which might need replacement. I will probably opt for Salmings based on your experience and several good reviews.
Best regards,
James
James G says
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hi,
I’m looking at buying a pair of squash shoes but I need the maximum arch / ankle support possible. Everything I have tried just isn’t good enough and my ankle will roll inwards just standing in them . My running shoes are a pair of ‘Saucony Stable CS’ and they are absolutely brilliant. Any squash shoes along those lines would be great (need to be indoor). I appreciate flexibility is probably preferred in most cases but somewhat searching for the opposite!
Thank you
AL says
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Salming Race R9 might suit your requirements, James.
usman says
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Hey can I use adidas barricade shoes of tennis for squash, does it make a difference?
Nawar says
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Dear Usman,
I don’t recommend to use the Adidas Barricade shoes for squash, it’s stiffer, heavier with no good gripping, the thing that i’ve tried once the Adidas Tennis shoe and i broke my big toes!! so it’s risky instead, you can try the Adidas shoes Stabil 10,11,12 or 13.the latest models are lighter with excellent grip.
usman says
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Thank you nawar
Farooque Ahsan says
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Hi there
I have running 30-35 minutes every day. I do not play squash but want to use these for running. Do you think they will equally be good for running? Many thanks for your time.
Pierre says
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I’m not a runner myself … I think squash shoes would probably work fine for running, the only problem is they are designed to be used on court and are reinforced for things like dragging your toes and other stuff specific to squash, so I’m worried they won’t be very durable outside the courts where the wear and tear will occur in different spots.
Tony says
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Hi, anyone know which squash shoe is suitable for flat feet?
Zach Leber says
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Asics Gel-anything with removable insoles/sock liners (no Rockets) so you can add one pair of these:
http://www.tenseconds.com/flatfoot.php
Changed my life. Used to be in pain after every match, now injury free for 20 years.
Pierre says
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Interesting, thanks Zach
Mansur says
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Hi , I am having some problems with my shin & ankle due to overweight…can u adivse which shoes would be good in this case.
Pierre says
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You probably want one with lots of cushioning and I am honestly not sure which ones to recommend. Let me think about it and ask around.
Pierre says
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I thought about it a bit more and came up with the Adidas Stabil, Salming R1 or R2, and the Mizuno Wave Tornado series.
I haven’t used the latest Stabils but I did use a previous version and they had lots of cushioning. The Salming Race shoes I have used and enjoy. The Mizuno Tornado, a reader said (about a previous version) that they are a “beast” when it comes to cushioning.
All of these shoes are expensive. I think the extra cushioning increases the cost of production.
Pierre says
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I posted the question on Reddit here and got a few additional helpful answers.
Mansur says
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Thanks alot…..I am going for adidas stabil reviews are good but cant find them in dubai
Aqil says
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Hi.
I am relatively a new squash player. Started about 10 weeks ago. I’ve been playing casually and recreationally. I dont think I’d ever compete competitively.
Do you think it’s still worth it to invest in a good pair of shoes like the salming kobra/race or dya have any other recommendations for someone like me? I play on average about 2-3x per week (some sessions are just me dng solo drills).
My concern is that if i do invest in a good pair, it has to last me for a long time! (Say one year and above?) I also have somewhat of a flat foot.
Hope to hear from your soon!
Pierre says
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If you’re just getting started and want to save a bit on cost I’d go for the Asics Gel Rocket 7s. They are less expensive but still good enough that many pros use them. I don’t know about how they work with a flatter foot. The Kobras are a really nice shoe with probably more padding than the Rockets but they are one option of many.
Louis says
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Do you think the Nike Tiempo Genio Leather IC are alright for playing squash? I know they’re more for indoor court sports specifically indoor soccer (futsal) but they seem well-suited for squash nonetheless. The sole is also non-marking and is pretty light-weight.
tor says
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why wouldn’t they? i used my adidas mundial goal (inndoor/futsal) for several years and they were perfect.