1. ASICS Women’s Gel Rocket 7 Racquetball Shoes
2. Ektelon Men’s NFS Attack Synthetic Mid Racquetball Shoes
3. Ektelon Men’s NFS Classic II Leather Low Racquetball Shoes
4. ASICS Women’s Gel Blade 5 Indoor Court Shoe
5. ASICS Women’s GEL-Blast 5 Shoe
6. HEAD Men’s Grid 2.0 Indoor Court Shoes
7. Wilson Unisex Recon Racquetball Sneakers
8. Ektelon T-9 Roadster Mid Indoor Court Shoe
9. Adidas Men’s Barricade Club Shoe
10. Wilson Men’s Rush Pro 2.5
11. New Balance Women’s WC806
12. Dunlop Men’s Tour Indoor Court Shoe
13. Adidas Men’s Ligra 5 Volleyball Shoe
14. Python Men’s Deluxe Indoor Low Racquetball Shoe
15. Mishansha Mens Indoor Outdoor Sports Sneakers
Racquetball Shoes Buying Guide & FAQ
How We Chose Our Selection Of The Best Racquetball Shoes
Brand - Racquetball shoes are niche footwear so they’re not the kind of item that attracts smaller manufacturers. The fact is that most of the companies that make racquetball shoes are big brand name companies. So that’s what’s on our list.
Price - This type of footwear requires a lot of R&D. But somehow they still manage to remain relatively affordable. How manufacturers pull off that trick is anyone’s guess, but we’ll take it.
Review - We always take the measure of online reviews whenever we look at a new product. At the end of the day however, we come to our own conclusions based on our experience testing the product. Whether it’s coffee makers or racquetball shoes.
Features To Look For In Racquetball Shoes
Design - Of course you’re going to want a shoe that speaks at least in part to your own particular tastes. That said, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind with regards to the design of your shoes. For instance, there’s no good reason for a racquetball shoe to have a deep treads. You want to make as much contact with the floor as possible to optimize mobility. If the soles of your shoes have deep lugs all that space between them isn’t contacting the floor. You’ll also want plenty of structure in the upper to hold your foot firm and provide lateral support.
Midsole - The midsole is where your foot interacts with the shoe. So it’s crucial that it be supportive, comfortable and fashioned from high quality, durable materials. If you’re an aggressive player who spends a lot of time leaping and diving you’ll want to make sure the midsole provides plenty of cushioning in the heel. You’ll also want plenty of arch support and some decent cushioning in the forefoot. That will absorb some of the forces you’ll generate when you switch directions or stop quickly.
Inserts - If you’re more of a sit back and wait for the action to come to you sort of player you may not want or need any type of liners or inserts in your racquetball shoes. However, if you’re one of those aggressive players we discussed a minute ago you may want to consider some form of comfort liner or shock absorbing insert. Because you’re going to need your shoes to absorb as much energy as possible and keep the physical onus off the bones and muscles of your feet and ankles.
Ankle Protection - Speaking of ankles… ankle protection is crucial for this sport where you're constantly switching directions at high speed. Without adequate support you stand a better than even chance of spraining an ankle at some point. And that could put you on the sidelines for a long time. If the ankle turn is serious enough it could affect the state of your game for years to come.
Air Mesh - You’re going to get hot and sweaty in your racquetball sneakers. You prevent that from becoming a problem by using shoes with Air Mesh uppers. Air Mesh is a series of small holes on the top of the upper that allow heat to escape. Without these your shoes are going to turn into stinky wet swamps in short order.
Shank - The shank is essentially that which supplies support to the arch of your foot. The firmness of the shank in your shoes should be determined by your style of play. If you’re that active aggressive, always-on-the-move player you’ll want the shank to be pretty flexible. If you’re more of a stand your ground type of player then you’ll want the shank to be pretty firm in order to underpin your arch at all times. Make sure you get the right firmness. Because if the shank is too firm for your style of play it could actually generate cramps and soreness.
Gum Rubber - The best racquetball shoes have gum rubber soles. Gum rubber provides the most grip you’re going to get from any standard outsole material. And racquetball shoes need to be all about support and grip. Shoes for other indoor sports often feature gum rubber soles, including volleyball shoes. But not basketball shoes. That’s why they’re not recommended for racquetball. Another reason gum rubber shoes are preferred for racquetball is that it’s non-marking and won’t leave big black streaks on the court.
Racquetball Shoes FAQ
Q: What are racquetball shoes?
A: They’re shoes specially designed to handle the rigors of the racquetball court. Racquetball isn’t like most other sports. It’s essentially played in a box. The ball moves incredibly fast, ricocheting of the walls and returning to you in unexpected ways. You need to have lightning quick reflexes and shoes that will protect your feet through the most extreme stresses while holding the court and wicking away heat and moisture.
Q: How do you maintain racquetball shoes?
A: Caring for racquetball shoes begins with one simple rule: don’t wear them for anything other than racquetball. Beyond that make sure the soles are always free of dirt and debris. Hitting the court with gunked up outsoles will lead to slipping, sliding and maybe a turned ankle. Not just for you, but for the people that follow you onto the court.
Q: Why should I wear racquetball-specific shoes?
A: Because running shoes don’t possess the type of lateral support you need when playing racquetball. Nor is the sole of a tennis shoe grippy enough. Tennis shoes have plenty of lateral support in the upper, but the soles won’t cut in on the racquetball court. Same for basketball shoes.
Q: Should soles be a little slippery for gliding?
A: No. In fact just the opposite. The best racquetball shoes grab hold of the slippery wood floor and let you turn on a dime if you have to. If your feet are slipping out from under you every time you make a sharp change in direction you’re going to give away points left and right, pull muscles and twist your ankle.
Q: Is air mesh important in the shoes?
A: Only if you want to prevent your feet from swimming in a sticky pool of bacteria-laden sweat. Air mesh holes in the upper of the shoe allow the heat generated by your feet when playing to vent out the top. And take our word for it: your feet will sweat. A lot.
