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SuperSquash Squash Shoes

How to Buy Squash Shoes

Your shoes are the second most important item in your squash kit and not easy to get right. When you do, it can make a big difference to your speed and movement on court. The wrong shoes, on the other hand, can be annoying at best and at worst can cause injury. Feet come in all shapes and sizes and to some extent you must go by what you know, but the following should help you to choose shoes that are right for you. Be sure to check the size information on the individual product pages before you buy.

Footshape

Start by looking at your own feet. Are they wide or narrow? Are they wide at the toe and narrow at the ankle or vice versa? Some squash shoes are made wider at the toe to suit a more natural foot shape, instead of being made on a standard last which tapers at the toe for the sake of appearance. If you have narrow ankles, you need shoes that aren't too wide at the ankle or your feet will tend to slip forward while lunging. If you have wide ankles you should avoid narrow shoes as they will restrict movement and reduce blood flow, while, if your feet are wide at the toe, this will cause blisters. Of the major manufacturers of squash shoes, Hi-Tec tend to be be a standard width at the ankles and slightly wider at the toe with a high "toe box", Head and Asics tend to be a standard width at toe and ankle and Nike and Adidas tend to be narrower (although this can vary with different models).

Size

Many retailers advise buying shoes larger than your normal shoe size. Don't - squash shoes spread as you play and will end up feeling loose and slipping, if you do this. Squash shoes should be snug, but not pinch and you should have about half a thumbnail between the end of your big toe and the end of the interior of the shoe. Larger than this and your feet may slip forward, causing blisters; less and your toes can end up slamming into the front of the shoe. Court socks will take up some of the space, but they should feel slightly tight to start with. Once they have spread after a few games, they should be just right. Care should be taken to avoid lacing shoes too tightly as your feet will swell as you play and this can cause foot problems. One way to avoid this is to arch your foot as you lace your shoes, so that you retain some space for swelling.

The other important thing to bear in mind when choosing squash shoes is that they can vary in size by upto one full size either way. This can be the case with different manufacturers, but also with different models of shoe by the same manufacturer. Always check the product description to find out if a shoe runs small, large or "true".

Cushioning

Cushioning is important if you play a lot of squash and while a basic squash shoe is fine for kids, the older you are, the more cushioning you need. Heavier players are also strongly advised to wear well-cushioned shoes. This protects the knees and hips from the repetitive impacts which occur in squash. Recent ranges of squash shoes have improved cushioning: The new range H-Tec utilises EVA foam with a higher air content, making it light and compact and so retaining feel of the court while providing more effective cushioning. Generally, the more you play, the better the shoes you should buy and the better the cushioning you get. If you play club or team squash to reasonable standard and play three or more times a week, it is worth buying a top range shoe as it will give you a competitive edge and help reduce wear and tear on your body.

Insoles

Sports insoles can be added to squash shoes that don't have adequate cushioning, although to work properly, they should not be significantly thicker than the original insoles sold with the shoe. Many insoles have a deep heel cup to provide enhanced cushioning, but this can cause the heel to slip in the shoe because the insole was not specifically designed to fit the shoe and the foot is raised higher than it should be. We have tested a number of insoles and as yet have not found one that really works well as a replacement for existing insoles. Specialist corrective sports insoles should be used if you are experiencing foot, ankle, knee or back pain caused by flat feet or high arches.

Sports Socks

Thicker socks can be added for additional cushioning and protection. They should not be too thick, however, as you need to retain feel and responsive push-off from the court floor. Coolmax or Dri-Fit socks will help keep your feet dry which prevents slipping and blistering. Good technical sports socks with arch support also help to relieve fatigue in feet and ankles.

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