7 Best Racquetball Shoes: Extensive Buying & Review Guide

Playing racquetball comes with special requirements. For instance, you need light, sturdy, and stable shoes. Quick turns, stops at a moment’s notice, and quick accelerations are critical. Again, you must perform them safely.

No shoe can do this better than a shoe explicitly created for racquetball. This article looks at the best shoes for racquetball. Each pick allows you to make constant switches between lateral, forward, and backward movements quickly and safely. We emphasize the right racquetball shoes because such shoes will let you progress in the game.

Let’s discuss the best racquetball footwear.

What are Racquetball Shoes

Racquetball shoes have unique features that can handle both your random and particular movements on the racquetball court. In addition, these shoes are uniquely tailored for indoor courts where racquetball is usually played. That means the shoes have some unique design features.

The best shoes for racquetball must have rubber or gum soles; nothing else will be sufficient to absorb the hard traction on the racquetball court floor. The gum outsole may be typical among similar court sports. However, racquetball shoes differ from the rest because they are way lighter.

Why so much lighter? Racquetball movements are swift and almost multi-directional. Indeed, you do not need a heavy load on your feet but shoes that you can instantly lift.

What Types of Shoes Are Best for Racquetball

This section looks at the design features a racquetball shoe must possess. Here are the key features they should have:

• Durability of Construction and Materials
• Fit and Comfort
• Shock Absorption
• Outsole and Grip
• Lightweight
• Flexibility
• Ankle Support
• Breathability
• Cost

Durability of Construction and Materials

The durability of racquetball shoes depends on the make and quality of the materials. You do not want to be buying racquetball shoes after a few weeks. So, don’t just consider the looks, but the type and quality of the material, stitching, grip technology, etc.

Besides, check first-hand reviews, where people give genuine feedback about the racquetball shoes you intend to buy. Since racquetball is a high-intensity game, your sneakers won’t last as long as an average running shoe. But always look for quality construction and materials, as they are less likely to overstretch or degrade much faster.

Fit and Comfort

A great fit translates to ultimate comfort. Oversized shoes are cumbersome to carry and may lead to falls and injuries. By contrast, your feet will be cramped in a shoe if it is too small, making you uncomfortable.

Moving freely and quickly in racquetball is essential. So, choose a shoe that you can wear for a long time. Then, try out different shoes before settling on a pair.

Note that fit and comfort depend on the shoe material. Softer materials such as synthetic or mesh uppers alongside supportive overlays lock your feet in a snug fit. This prevents your feet from sliding. However, if a shoe rubs against your toes, it will lead to blisters; avoid such shoes. To improve comfort, wear sports socks.

Shock Absorption

In racquetball, there are sudden and continuous impacts that generate shock. Shock is a threat to your feet, so you need shoes with impressive shock absorption capabilities.

Each impact’s force affects the health of your feet’ joints, muscles, and bones. Besides, the oscillation influences fatigue. For better shock absorption, check the following:

• Heel Cushioning: Rushed movements in racquetball can be unforgiving on your heels because you may not be able to control how your feet hit the ground. Mostly, it is the heel that lands first, followed by the midsole. While the midsole may diminish the impact, it won’t eliminate it from reaching your heel. The best way is to look for shoes with plenty of heel cushioning to minimize the impact and prevent heel pain.
• Midsole: The midsole absorbs most of the shock, reducing the impact of movements. The shock starts from the outsole, and before it reaches the insole, the midsole mutes most of the shock, reducing its force and depth. Rubber, foam, and gel midsoles have impressive shock absorption qualities.

Also, ensure that you have ample cushioning at the forefoot to protect your toes and allow you to push off quickly.

Outsole and Grip

You may sustain severe injuries if you get it wrong concerning the outsole. For starters, check the grip—if it’s slippery, you won’t get a solid grip. Therefore, you are more likely to slip. Apart from putting yourself at risk of injuries, your performance is highly compromised. Thus, the best racquetball shoes must have a grip design that perfectly engages the court surface regardless of your position or direction of movement.

Non-marking rubber outsoles are the best option. While they do not improve your performance or grip, they won’t leave marks on the floor surface. This ensures that your court remains clean.

Lightweight

You need to traverse the court at a faster rate. That is only possible if your shoes are light enough to support your movements. Most racquetball shoes are designed to be light. But look for a shoe that feels light to you, i.e., it should not be a burden to lift. Lightweight shoes, great fit, and better grip give you an edge over your opponent.

Flexibility

Flexibility is another critical factor that determines performance. In racquetball, you will stretch a lot. Besides, stiff footwear will not let you perform multiple dynamic movements. If you can flex your feet, you can perform different maneuvers. Thus, investing in a highly flexible shoe is a must.

An inflexible pair of shoes limits your range of motion. Additionally, it impacts speed and stresses your arch, causing arch pain. The best court shoes for racquetball are constructed for durability and support but allow natural movement of the feet.

Ankle Support

While looking for a shoe that offers the best ankle support, several factors come into play, including the shoe design components. Some shoes provide direct ankle support components such as ankle support braces or inserts directly built into the back and sides of the shoes. Inserts surround your ankle, physically holding it in place as you move.

Other shoe categories feature shock absorption materials and cushioning, which offer indirect ankle support. For example, while playing racquetball, your feet are exposed to high levels of impact when the ball slams into the floor. The effects send shock waves repeatedly to your ankle, wearing down your ankles with time.

The best racquetball court shoes eliminate a significant portion of the impact force before it reaches your body. Therefore, look for shoes with highly dense cushioning and shock-absorbent soles. With such shoes, you can move swiftly while your feet remain firm.

Breathability

Playing racquetball, like any other sport, will generate heat. The heat needs to be eliminated immediately to create a comfortable shoe environment. Heat elimination is possible if you have highly breathable uppers. The different uppers are:

• Natural Leather: These world-renowned materials are breathable, peel-, cold- and folding-resistant, and durable. However, they are expensive and retain heat unless they have many pores.
• Artificial Leather: PVC leather shoes are a cheaper alternative, with better breathability but less durability.
• PU Space Leather: These are processed with a non-woven fabric base, giving them better breathability than PVC leather. Additionally, they are soft, elastic, shiny, and have a good feel. Many sports shoes use PU leather uppers.
• Knitted: If you need lightweight and ultra-breathable uppers, try knitted ones. Additionally, they offer added comfort. However, they are not durable as their lightweight materials are susceptible to wear and tear.
• Textile: This is the most versatile upper material; that’s why almost every sport utilizes it in their shoes. Standard textile uppers are nylon, cotton, and wool. Their most significant advantage is aesthetics—different designs and patterns. In terms of performance, everything is balanced – nothing stands out.
• Mesh: They are highly breathable and machine washable, and you will find them in most sports shoes. Primarily, they are used alongside synthetic leather to boost breathability. However, they are less durable.

Some uppers naturally promote breathability. However, modern shoe technology is geared towards improving shoes’ breathability. Sweaty feet make it difficult for you to move at higher intensities. Also, sweat significantly contributes to bacteria development, leading to fungal infection, foul odors, and other serious issues.

Always look for a shoe that allows unrestricted airflow in and out. Look out for perforated uppers, especially in leather or leather derivative uppers. Mesh panels offer the best breathability, preventing sweat build-up within the shoe.

Cost

Start with a budget – find a shoe within the amount of money you wish to spend. People commonly think that the more expensive a shoe is, the better performance it will give. But, it is not always true. Aim at getting a well-optimized shoe for performance at a competitive price. So, make a list of the features you want your racquetball shoes to have, and check out the available shoes and their respective prices. This will help you settle on the best shoes.

7 Best Racquetball Shoes Reviews

ASICS Men’s Upcourt 4 Indoor Sport Shoes: Best Racquetball Shoes

The Asics Gel-Upcourt 4 features synthetic leather paneling alongside mesh underlays to promote breathability. Besides, air mesh underlays ensure that your feet stay cool and sweat-free during matches, even on those hot days.

For a customized fit, Upcourt 4 has a lace-up closure. But its standout feature is the GEL Cushioning System, which absorbs shock effectively with each step, thus, preventing foot pain. Besides, the non-marking rubber outsole offers excellent grip on the indoor courts for perfect play.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Volleyball
• Brand: Asics
• Sizes: 5 to 8 UK
• Upper: Synthetic-and-mesh
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: Black/Pure Silver, White/Black, Black/Pure Silver, White/Shocking Orange, Indigo Fog/White, Black/White, and Glacier Grey/Sunrise Red
• Department: Men’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: Vietnam

Unique Features

• Mobility: The Asics Gel-Upcourt 4 has excellent mobility thanks to its firm grip on the court. Besides, the shoe is flexible, allowing your feet to move naturally. Ideally, the shoe will not limit your motion range regardless of the intensity.
• Traction: Designed from the gum, the Upcourt 4 has one of the stickiest non-marking soles with tread patterns supporting lateral, forward, and backward movements. So, whichever direction you are moving, you can’t slide off.
• Cushion: There is decent cushioning around the interior of these shoes, which absorbs the impact. The cushioning at the forefoot prevents jarring and pinching at the toes.
• Cooling Down: Although the upper is synthetic leather, the mesh underlays, and mesh tongue greatly eliminate heat. Therefore, this pair of shoes tries to keep your feet cool and sweat-free during heated matches. But because of the cushioned interior, the shoe can be hot in hot weather.
• Durability: The quality materials like synthetic leather and the proper stitching make this shoe durable. It can play as new for a long time.
• Comfort: Thanks to its breathable design and a well-padded interior, this shoe absorbs much of the impact generated from the movements of the court, leaving your feet comfortable. Besides, its lace-up system allows you to have a customized fit. And since the shoes give a snug fit, you will be less likely to feel uncomfortable in the Asics Gel-Upcourt 4.

Needs Improvement

• Heel cushioning could be better
• The insole isn’t removable
• Not ideal for people with wide feet

Python Deluxe Indoor Court Shoes: Versatile Court Shoes

Python Deluxe Indoor Court Shoes stand out for their ultra-light feel alongside unmatched durability. The pure leather uppers give them unparalleled durability. And on the shoe’s interior, there is a high-quality soft mesh with superior sweat absorption capability. It traps all the sweat, leaving your feet cool and dry; thus, comfortable.

The stable surface in-sock also makes it the best shoe for indoor racquetball. The in-sock tremendously improves stability, allowing you to play without worrying about twisting your ankle. Remember, it also has a thick back heel to arrest heel shock and contribute to stability while landing.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Squash, Badminton, Volleyball, Indoor Pickleball
• Brand: Python Racquetball
• Sizes: 6 to 12.5 UK
• Upper: Leather
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: Low black/Mid-white/ Low-white/ Mid-black
• Department: Men’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: USA

Unique Features

• Mobility: These shoes have exceptional mobility due to their well-made rubber outsole that offers decent traction. Besides, the flexible leather uppers allow your feet to move freely while ensuring they remain within the safe confines of the shoe. So, you can take off, brake, and turn without punishing your feet. Also, a lightweight profile makes it easier to lift the shoes, contributing immensely to mobility.
• Traction: The outsole is non-marking rubber, which offers grip on wooden floors. However, you get better traction courtesy of the ant-skid patterns on lateral or forward and backward movements.
• Cushion: There is decent cushioning on the shoe’s interior, so your feet won’t rub against the PU leather. Also, the heel has thick cushioning to capture shock impacts before they reach the feet.
• Cooling Down: Leather uppers have lower breathability than mesh uppers. But that is not the case with the Python Deluxe, as it has a high-quality in-sock with shock-absorbing qualities. It absorbs all the sweat leaving your feet dry and comfy.
• Durability: The leather construction alongside rubber shoes makes this Deluxe one of the best mid-racquetball shoes. With proper care and use, the shoe plays like new for a long time.
• Comfort: It’s worth mentioning that this shoe runs narrow. For a better fit, get a larger shoe size; if not, try a python EE. Otherwise, walking and playing in these shoes should be comfortable if you get the right fit.

Needs Improvement

• Not suitable for wide feet

Wilson RUSH PRO 2.5 Shoes: Best Design Court Shoes

Wilson RUSH PRO 2.5 2019 Pickleball Shoes are stylish and can be used as unisex pairs. You will love them for their efficient performance regardless of your skill level.

The outsole features a denser rubber to increase its durability. The rubber sole is non-marking but has a tread design that ensures you get enough grip.

The shoe is entirely built to optimize your movement on the court. For instance, it offers superior support and comfort courtesy of the minimally layered upper. Additionally, you get unmatched response times thanks to the 3D-FS technology.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Pickleball
• Brand: Wilson
• Sizes: 4.5
• Upper: Leather and Mesh
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: Blue, White, Red
• Department: Men’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: USA

Unique Features

• Mobility: The Wilson RUSH PRO 2.5 offers explosive acceleration. The DF1 ensures an optimal low-to-the-ground court feel, promoting agility and acceleration. On the other hand, 3D-FS provides better support and increased response time. This design also allows you to take off well. Note that the Pro Torque Chassis with Arch technology offers torsion control and stability.
• Traction: The gum sole alongside anti-skid tread patterns allows you to stop or start whenever you wish without any slips.
• Cushion: The shoe utilizes gel cushioning. So, apart from protecting you from impact, your feet remain cool and dry. The shoes ride high, meaning they hold off your ankle, leaving you feeling well-supported.
• Cooling Down: The mesh overlays on the PU leather ensure that the extra heat is dissipated as soon as it forms. Also, the interior gel cushion gives your feet a relaxing feeling.
• Durability: The RUSH PRO 2.5 offers superior performance for more than six months of vigorous play. It does just that. However, the interior breaks down much faster than the exterior.
• Comfort: The Rush 2.5 has Endofit technology that enhances stability and improves comfort through its complete in-sock construction.

Needs Improvement

• Narrow and inflexible shoes
• Inconsistent sizing

HEAD Men’s Grid 2.0 Low Racquetball Indoor Court Shoes

The HEAD Men’s Grid 2.0 features synthetic leather alongside an air mesh upper. The perforations on the top and the sides keep your feet breathing naturally. So, expect very little to no sweat accumulation and foot suffocation.

The HyBrasion rubber outsole offers a solid grip in the stress-rich areas of the outsole without creating marks on the court. That gives you reliable traction, allowing you to perform quick maneuvers without slipping. Remember, the shoes fit true to size.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Squash, Volleyball, Badminton, Pickleball
• Brand: HEAD
• Sizes: 8 – 13
• Upper: Leather and Mesh
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: White/Navy, White/Black
• Department: Men’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: USA

Unique Features

• Mobility: The rubber sole offers a decent grip on the ground, giving you control over stops, turns, and starts in all directions. Also, the lightweight profile allows you to lift the shoe, resulting in quicker movements.
• Traction: The gum outsole can decently stick on the wooden floor with special tread marks to improve lateral traction for better grip. However, the traction might not hold for quicker intense bursts.
• Cooling Down: There is so much about cooling in the HEAD Men’s Grid 2.0 Low. Apart from the pores and meshes on the uppers, the shoes use an innovative and dynamic climate control system. For example, it has a proprietary Head Cooling System that can absorb heat and throw it out for unmatched breathability.
• Durability: The Grid 2.0 Low is pretty durable. However, the shoes will not hold off for long if you are an intense player with quick, forceful maneuvers.
• Comfort: There is decent cushioning in the interior of the shoe. This ensures that your feet are not in constant contact with synthetic uppers. Also, the cushioning absorbs shock leaving you feeling comfortable.

Needs Improvement

• Uppers are not very durable
• Longer break-in time

ASICS Upcourt 3 Women’s Shoes

The ASICS Upcourt 3 Women’s Volleyball Shoes are a performance-oriented shoe pair. Although they have a contemporary design, these shoes offer enough comfort and support during your matches or practice.

Thanks to the soft and removable sockliner alongside the EVA midsole, you get a decent rebound with each step. Therefore, you can move quickly across the court without sustaining much shock to your joints.

Worried about traction? It has a gum outsole that grips the floor to eliminate any chances of slipping.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Volleyball
• Brand: Asics
• Sizes: 5 to 11 UK
• Upper: Synthetic-and-mesh
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: Black/White, White/Pixel Pink, White/Pure Gold
• Department: Women’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: China

Unique Features

• Mobility: Of course, mobility starts with good traction, which ASICS Upcourt 3 offers. Therefore, braking and acceleration are not an issue. An EVA midsole gives you the bounce you need to quickly move across the court while dispersing your weight and keeping you stable.
• Traction: The rubber outsole goes a great length to ensure you do not slip on the indoor court.
• Cushion: Apart from the EVA foam midsole, the shoe has a well-padded tongue and collar to cushion your feet from impacts and friction. Additionally, the cushioned sockliner and the mesh lining contribute immensely to shock absorption.
• Cooling Down: The mesh upper does a great job of dissipating most of the heat the feet produce during intense gaming.
• Comfort: The cushioning on these shoes is generous, contributing immensely to comfort. For instance, the rearfoot gel cushioning reduces shock during impacts, allowing smooth transitions. Also, the lace-up system will enable you to get customized feet while the cushioned sockliner, collar, and tongue offer performance comfort.

Needs Improvement

• Shoe uppers have low durability

ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 10 Court Shoes

Thanks to the perfect alignment, the ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 10 Court Shoes allow easy mobility on the racquetball courts. Besides, the manufacturer utilized the NC gum rubber technology to give the shoe unmatched traction on all indoor courts.

You can play in any style and condition without worrying about slipping. Moreover, since the technology holds your foot firmly on the ground, it improves your balance and stamina. Additionally, the round traction design alongside a toe pivot supports all types of movements.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Volleyball
• Brand: Asics
• Sizes: 5 to 13 UK
• Upper: Synthetic-and-mesh
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: Black/Pure Silver, White/Black, Black/Pure Silver, White/Shocking Orange, Indigo Fog/White, Black/White, and Glacier Grey/Sunrise Red
• Department: Women’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: China

Unique Features

• Mobility: Women’s Gel-Rocket 10 allows easy movement on the court regardless of the conditions, thanks to its NC gum technology. Apart from excellent traction, this technology keeps the shoe steady on the ground, improving your stamina and balance. Besides, the toe support promotes all movement types. At the same time, the TRUSSTIC application in the midsole offers stability, and the outrigger and wrap-up sole is essential for lateral movement.
• Traction: The NC gum technology gives this shoe unmatched traction. Traction is further improved with the round traction design.
• Cushion: The insole and the sides of the shoe interior have generous padding to absorb the impact. So, the shock generated from the effect will not reach your joints and bones. Typically, it uses gel cushioning, ensuring your feet remain cool.
• Cooling Down: The mesh upper does not hold much heat within the shoes because the pores allow free air circulation.
• Durability: The Women’s Gel-Rocket 10 is pretty durable. However, since it is made from mesh with synthetic overlays, it may not take much abuse for a long time.
• Comfort: These shoes are pretty comfortable. The padded interior, thick gum sole, and breathable mesh uppers ensure a comfortable feel by keeping away shock and heat.

Needs Improvement

• Not ideal for people with wide feet
• Outsole durability is low

New Balance Men’s 623 V3 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer

The New Balance Men’s 623 V3 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer combines an athletic style with supportive technology. The ABZORB cushioning in the midsole absorbs shock, resists compression, and keeps you stable.

You will get lightweight injection-molded EVA foam and an EVA foam footbed in the midsole. The two offer firm but flexible cushioning, leaving your underfoot feeling soft but supported.

Highlights

• Compatible Sports: Racquetball, Volleyball
• Brand: Asics
• Sizes: 7 to 10
• Upper: Leather
• Sole: Rubber
• Color: White/Navy, Black/Black, White/White, Camo/Camo, Chocolate, Charcoal, Gray/Orange
• Department: Men’s
• Category: Sneakers
• Country of Origin: US

Unique Features

• Mobility: These new balance racquetball shoes let you walk or run efficiently. Apart from a decent grip on the rubber outsoles, they feature a well-cushioned midsole to help you move forward safely and stably. Also, it has an internal midfoot shank to improve stability with each step.
• Cushion: While the whole internal surface has thick cushioning, the best padding occurs in the midsole to capture impact after turns, stops, and jumps. The quality EVA foam dampens the shock without compressing too much. It leaves you very comfortable.
• Cooling Down: These shoes are designed from pure leather and padded, retaining heat. However, it uses gel cushioning technology that attempts to create a cooling effect on the feet.
• Durability: Pure leather is undoubtedly long-lasting. That means your shoe upper will play like new for a long time. Similarly, the rubber outsole is durable.
• Comfort: The 623v3 are comfortable trainers, thanks to generous padding on the midsole, which offers admirable cushioning. Besides, it has a reinforced foam collar for extra comfort and support. The internal midfoot shank gives the midfoot structure while remaining flexible for better performance.

Needs Improvement

• Padding at the toes could be better
• Stiff shoes; uncomfortable to some people

Similar Court Sports Shoes for Racquetball

The court type influences the choice of shoes. Typically, most shoe manufacturers design their sports shoes based on the court type. Indoor courts have a similar floor material (mainly wood), requiring a specific outsole (usually non-marking gum). You might use a shoe to play similar indoor sports if it meets these specifications.

You can play volleyball, racquetball, indoor tennis, badminton, pickleball, and squash using identical shoes. While this is possible, remember that these games have different moves. Also, the degree of impact varies. So, players will sustain further injuries. To avoid surprises, always stick to shoes designed for racquetball.

Why Popular Brands Are a Safe Choice

The design and quality are essential in performance and spicing up status and personality. Established brands such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Skechers, ASICS Corporation, etc., focus on quality and value. Besides, they have a significant focus on the customer’s needs. Beyond a standout log, these top brands motivate customers by solving the emerging demands in the sports industry. Ideally, these leading brands help players realize their dreams without compromising.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

You now have enough information to buy the best shoes to play racquetball. One more piece of advice; the right shoes that comfortably fit you. So, always ensure that you test the shoe before committing your money. If you order online, measure your feet and compare them with the chart. If you have wide feet, find shoes meant for wide feet or order a one-size bigger shoe than you usually need.