Quick answer: The best squash shoes are non-marking indoor court shoes with a gum rubber herringbone outsole, a firm midfoot cage for lateral support and forefoot cushioning. For most UK club players the Babolat Shadow Team 2 (£45 men's, £50 women's) is the best all-rounder; step up to the Shadow Tour 5 (£90) if you play three or more times a week. Running shoes and most trainers are a poor substitute and many UK clubs will not let you on court in them.
Players agonise over a £150 racket, then walk on court in running trainers and wonder why their ankles ache and the club pro keeps glaring at the black scuffs. Squash is the most lateral, stop-start racket sport there is, so your squash shoes do more work than almost any other piece of kit. This guide explains what actually matters in a squash shoe, how they differ from tennis, running and badminton shoes, how to get the fit right, and which pairs we would buy from the range in stock at Central Sports right now.
What makes a good pair of squash shoes?
Four things separate a good squash shoe from a mediocre one:
- Non-marking gum outsole. Non-negotiable. Look for a herringbone or multi-directional tread rather than the straight-line lugs of a running shoe, because herringbone bites in every direction when you change direction six times in a rally.
- Lateral stability. A supportive midfoot cage, a wide, low platform and a firm heel counter. If you can twist the shoe easily in your hands, it will twist under load on court too.
- Cushioning in the right place. Squash is hard on the forefoot, not the heel. Prioritise forefoot cushioning and a low-to-the-ground feel. Too much stack height costs you court feel and stability.
- A protected toe box. Lunging into the front corners drives your toes into the front of the shoe repeatedly, so look for a reinforced bumper and a locked-down heel with no lift.
Squash shoes vs running shoes and tennis shoes
Running shoes are built to move you forwards. Squash moves you sideways, backwards and diagonally, usually at speed and usually into a wall corner. A running shoe has a soft, tall midsole designed for straight-line heel strike; put that under a hard sideways push-off and your foot rolls off the edge of the platform. That is how club players end up with rolled ankles.
Then there is the floor. Almost every UK squash club, leisure centre and sports hall insists on non-marking soles. Running outsoles use harder carbon rubber that leaves pigment on the court, while squash outsoles use softer, light-coloured gum rubber that grips without marking.
Tennis shoes are a closer match than running shoes, but outdoor and hard-court tennis models usually have heavier, harder-wearing outsoles that can mark an indoor floor and feel slippery on timber. A dedicated indoor court shoe is lighter, grippier on sprung wood and reinforced where squash punishes a shoe: the medial forefoot and toe.
Squash shoes vs badminton shoes: are they the same?
They are close cousins and plenty of club players use one for the other. Both are indoor court shoes with non-marking gum soles and both prioritise lateral movement. Badminton shoes tend to be lighter and more flexible, built around jumping and fast recovery. Squash shoes are usually a touch heavier, with more midfoot reinforcement and a beefier toe bumper, because squash lunges are deeper and more abrasive.
If you play both sports, a well-built squash shoe will cover badminton comfortably. If you play competitive league squash two or three times a week, buy the squash-specific option; it lasts longer and supports you better in the corners. Our indoor footwear range covers both.
Getting the fit right: men's, women's and junior
Sizing varies noticeably between brands, and indoor court shoes generally fit snugger than trainers. If you are between sizes, size up rather than down. Your heel should not lift on a hard lateral push, and you should have about a thumb's width in front of your longest toe for those front-corner lunges.
Women should look at women's-specific models where available. A narrower last and lower instep volume fits far better than sizing down in a men's shoe. You can browse the full men's shoes and women's shoes ranges for size runs, and our team can advise on junior fits in store or online. Pair your shoes with proper court socks too: a cushioned sock does more for blister prevention than most people expect.
How long do squash shoes last?
Most club players get six to twelve months from a pair. Playing twice a week on sprung timber, expect around nine months from a mid-range shoe; playing four times a week on an abrasive synthetic floor, you may be replacing them in four.
Do not judge by the upper. Check three things instead: has the outsole tread worn smooth under the forefoot and medial toe, has the midsole compressed so the shoe feels flat and dead, and does your foot slide inside the shoe on hard lateral pushes? Any one of those means it is time. Replacing before the autumn league season starts is far better than halfway through it, and rotating two pairs lets the foam recover and roughly doubles the life of both.
Top picks from Central Sports
These are our current recommendations, all in stock at the time of writing with prices correct as of 5 October 2026. Stock moves quickly in some sizes, so check availability on the product page.
- Babolat Shadow Team 2 Men – Black/Lime – £45. Our pick for most club players: enough lateral reinforcement and toe protection for league squash at a price that makes sense for regular players. In stock in UK 7 to 11 at the time of writing.
- Babolat Shadow Spirit 2 Men – White/Lime – £72. A step up in cushioning and upper support, worth it if harder-riding shoes leave your feet and knees sore after a long match on a synthetic court.
- Babolat Shadow Tour 5 Men – Black/Lime – £90. The serious option for players on court three or more times a week: the most stability and durability in the Shadow line.
- Babolat Shadow Team 2 Women – White/Blue – £50. The women's-specific Shadow Team on a narrower last, with the same all-round club-level performance as the men's version. In stock in UK 4 to 7.
Want to compare more brands? See the full squash range, our ASICS indoor court shoes, or shop all racket sports. Looking for the rest of your kit? Our guides to choosing a squash racket, squash balls, squash goggles and how to play squash will help you kit out properly.
Looking after your squash shoes
Keep them for indoor court use only; walking to the club in them grinds grit into the gum outsole and kills the grip. Wipe the soles with a slightly damp cloth before you play, because dust is the main reason players think their shoes have "lost grip". Loosen the laces fully when you take them off rather than heeling them off, which breaks down the heel counter faster than anything else.
Squash shoes FAQ
What shoes are best for playing squash?
Non-marking indoor court shoes with a gum rubber outsole, good lateral support and forefoot cushioning. Squash-specific models such as the Babolat Shadow range are designed for exactly this, and good badminton or indoor court shoes also work.
Can I wear running shoes or tennis shoes for squash?
You can, but you should not. Running shoes lack lateral support and often leave marks, and many UK clubs will refuse entry in marking soles. Hard-court tennis shoes are better but heavier and harder-wearing than ideal on a sprung timber court.
What is the main difference between squash shoes and regular tennis shoes?
Squash shoes have a softer, non-marking gum outsole, a lower and lighter build for fast direction changes and extra reinforcement on the toe and medial forefoot. Tennis shoes are built for outdoor surfaces and heavier wear.
Are badminton shoes OK for squash?
Yes, for recreational play. They are lighter with less toe protection, so serious league players do better in a squash-specific shoe.
How much should I spend on squash shoes?
Most club players are well served by £45 to £90. Spend towards the top of that range if you play three or more times a week or on abrasive synthetic courts.
Ready to get court-ready?
The best squash shoes keep you stable in the corners, protect your ankles and knees through thousands of lunges and never leave a mark on your club's floor. Get the non-marking outsole, lateral support and fit right and everything else is preference and budget. For most UK players, the Babolat Shadow Team 2 is the shoe we would put our money on. Browse the squash range at Central Sports or all collections and get sorted before your next league night. Questions on sizing? Our team plays these sports every week and are happy to help at centralsports.co.uk.
