SQUASH

Optimize your squash performance with gear designed to maximize your potential. Our comprehensive buying guide empowers you to discover racquets that ignite your shots, shoes that support every move, and accessories crafted for on-court focus.  Experience the difference the right gear makes.

Choose the Perfect Squash Racquet

Understanding Your Playstyle

The first step is to honestly assess your game:

Skill Level:
  • Beginner: Prioritize control and forgiveness to develop good habits and technique.
  • Intermediate: Look for balance of power and control as your game evolves.
  • Advanced: Customize weight, balance, and string setups for your specific style.

Playing Style:
  • Power Player: Seek racquets designed to enhance shot power.
  • Control Player: Prioritize precision and maximize feel for touch shots and volleys.
  • All-Around Player: Look for racquets offering a balanced blend of power and control.

Key Racquet Specifications

Now, let's break down the key elements of a squash racquet:

Head Shape:
  • Teardrop: The most popular shape, offers a good balance of power and a larger sweet spot for forgiveness on off-center hits.
  • Traditional/Closed Throat: Smaller sweet spot and generally favor experienced players seeking maximum control.

Weight:
  • Lighter (120-140g): Greater maneuverability for quick reactions at the front, ideal for beginners and those favoring wristy playstyles.
  • Medium (140-150g): More powerful, a versatile weight range for most players.
  • Heavier (150g+): Maximum power potential, best handled by strong, advanced players.
Balance:
  • Head-Light: Promotes quick racquet movement for volleying and deceptive play.
  • Even: Balanced feel for players who like a mix of all strokes.
  • Head-Heavy: Extra power for backcourt drives, but reduced maneuverability.

String Pattern:
  • Dense (14x18, 14x19): Provides maximum control, ideal for precise shot placement.
  • Open (12x17, 14x15): Promotes power and increases spin potential.

Matching Specs to Player Type

  • Beginners: Forgiving teardrop heads, lightweight, head-light balance, open string patterns.
  • Intermediate: Teardrop heads, medium weights, even-to-slightly head-heavy balance, balance of power and control.
  • Advanced: Custom setups across all factors. Teardrop or closed-throat options, heavier weights, and denser string patterns for maximum precision.
Matching Specs to Player Type

Choose the Perfect Squash Shoes

Key Factors: Squash-Specific Adaptations

Outsole:
  • Non-Marking: Crucial for preserving the integrity of indoor squash courts.
  • Gum Rubber: Standard for superior grip on smooth court surfaces.
  • Multi-Directional Tread: Specially designed patterns to handle abrupt stops, quick lunges, and sudden changes in direction.
Cushioning:
  • Shock Absorption: Squash involves rapid and repetitive movements. Responsive cushioning protects ankles, knees, and joints.
  • Lateral Support & Stability: Squash shoes prioritize side-to-side stability with reinforced structures to prevent ankle rolls.
Breathability:
  •  Intense matches generate heat.  Strategic mesh panels or lightweight materials provide ventilation.
Durability:
  • Toe Dragging: Squash's lunges and quick starts put stress on the toe area – look for reinforced toe sections.
  • Abrasion Resistance: Court surfaces can be rough. Durable materials for uppers and outsoles are needed.

Playing Style (3boxes in row)

Aggressive Movers: Maximum stability, reinforced outsoles, and superior cushioning for explosive movements and frequent lunges.

Deceptive & Agile: Lighter weight, flexible designs with less focus on extreme stability, allowing for quick reactions at the front of the court.

All-Around Players: Need a balance of stability, cushioning, and agility to perform in a variety of court positions.

Skill Level (3 boxes in row)

Beginners: Prioritize support, cushioning, and outsole grip to focus on safe movement and technique development.

  • Intermediate: Begin to explore features aligned with your developing playstyle (lighter shoes if agile, more stability if power-focused).

Advanced: Performance is key. Customize choices with specific technologies, weight, and outsole patterns for maximum efficiency and advantage.

Choose the Perfect Squash Balls

Let's dive into the world of squash balls, covering types and crucial factors for making the perfect selection:

Types of Squash Balls

Understanding the different squash balls is essential as they heavily influence gameplay:

Double Yellow Dot (Pro/Competition): The slowest ball. Used by professionals and top players, requires good technique to warm up and generate power.

Single Yellow Dot (Intermediate): Slightly bouncier than the double yellow, offering a blend of pace and playability for advanced and club-level players.

Red Dot (Advanced Beginner): Bounces more readily, allowing developing players more time for shot preparation and rallies

Blue Dot (Beginner): The bounciest option. Ideal for introducing new players to the game, focusing on basic techniques and movement.

Key Factors: Matching the Ball to Your Needs

Skill Level (3 boxes in row):
  • Beginners: Start with Blue Dot or Red Dot to facilitate rallies and stroke development.
  • Intermediate: Single Yellow Dot offers a good balance as your technique and power improve.
  • Advanced: Double Yellow Dot rewards consistent, powerful strokes and shot-making precision.
Playing Style:
  • Control-based: Slower balls (Double or Single Yellow Dot) reward accurate shots and placement.
  • Aggressive Attackers: Slightly bouncier balls (Single Yellow, Red) can aid in quick put-away shots and fast-paced rallies.

Additional Considerations

Ball Durability: Less experienced players often make off-center hits, wearing balls down faster.

Budget: Beginner-level balls are often the most affordable, while professional-grade balls come at a premium.

Visibility: While most balls are black, some brands offer alternate colors for better visibility in varying lighting conditions.

Find the most Compatible String for Racquet

String Gauge (Thickness)

Thinner Gauge (17-18 gauge / 1.20-1.15mm): Emphasizes power and "bite" on the ball for spin generation. Slightly less durable.

Mid-Gauge (16-16L gauge / 1.25-1.30mm): The most popular option, providing a great balance of power, feel, and durability.

Thicker Gauge (15L / 1.35mm): Prioritizes maximum durability, often seen in hard-hitting players who regularly break strings. May feel stiffer with less power potential.

String Tension

Lower Tension (24-27 lbs): Gives a "trampoline effect" for enhanced power, but sacrifices some control. Good for some power hitters.

  • Medium Tension (27-30 lbs): The "sweet spot" for most players, offering a solid blend of power and control.

Higher Tension (30+ lbs): Prioritizes maximum control and precision, but requires a powerful swing to generate adequate pace.

String and Tension Guide Based on Playstyles

Power Players
  • String Type: Textured strings designed for spin and power. May also consider thinner gauges.
  • Tension: Lower end of the spectrum, but skill dictates optimal tension for control.
  • Ideal for: Aggressive players with powerful swings, seeking to maximize shot penetration.
All-Around Players
  • String Type: Mid-gauge strings, offering a balanced blend of power, control, and durability.
  • Tension: Middle of the tension range provides the most adaptability for a variety of shots.
  • Ideal for: Players without a dominant focus, or those still experimenting with their playing style.
Control-Oriented Players
  • String Type: Mid to slightly thicker gauge designed for control and durability.
  • Tension: Higher tensions provide a firmer, more consistent response for shot placement.
  • Ideal for: Players prioritizing control, accuracy, and executing boasts and drop shots effectively.