Choosing the best shoes for racquetball can help take your game to the next level. Though this piece of equipment is often overlooked by amateurs, it is nevertheless an important component of your setup. In this guide, we take a look at six of the best options on the market to help you decide on a great pair of athletic footwear.
ASICS Gel-Rocket 9
A lightweight breathable shoe that is both comfortable and high performing
View on AmazonASICS Netburner Ballistic FF
A higher-end shoe that comfortably manages moisture while catering to athletic performance
View on AmazonOur Top Picks
- ASICS Gel-Rocket 9 – Top Pick
- Mishansha Court – Budget Option
- ASICS Netburner Ballistic FF – Premium Option
- HEAD Sonic 2000
- Python Deluxe Indoor
- Mizuno Women’s Wave Momentum
What To Look For In A Good Racquetball Shoe?
Some readers may be wondering why they even need racquetball shoes. Indeed, it seems there is a shoe for everything, doesn’t it? From racquetball shoes to squash shoes, to tennis shoes, to running shoes a well-rounded athlete may need a closet dedicated solely to footwear.
While you may not need a dedicated shoe for every specific physical activity you perform, there is plenty of merit in getting shoes for racquetball if you are serious about the game.
Racquetball shoes are specifically designed to provide traction and make you more responsive on the court. With dedicated racquetball footwear, it is easier to get optimal ankle support and traction that will optimize your performance.
Outdoor vs Indoor
Indoor and outdoor shoes differ in terms of their treading. Naturally, the rougher material of an outdoor court requires a slightly different design than the typically smoother surface of an indoor one. Fortunately, deciding on the right shoe is easy: if you play mostly inside, go with an indoor shoe. If you play mostly outside, go for an outdoor one.
Men’s VS. Women’s
Men’s shoes are slightly different from women’s not just in terms of design but also in terms of structure. Though not always true, men and women’s feet tend to be shaped slightly differently. In opting for a sex-specific shoe, you increase the odds of getting something that is comfortable.
However, many manufacturers also include unisex options if that is your preference.
Brand
Everyone knows that brand name shoes like Ektelon, Nike, New Balance, Reebok, etc. tend to cost a little bit more money. While these shoes are good, you can also find more affordable options from lesser-known brands. Our list features several very competitively priced yet high performing shoes from companies some may never have heard of.
Special Considerations
Naturally, one’s unique needs must also be taken into account. For example, those that need a shoe for plantar fasciitis, or for wide feet are going to need specialty products that might not be featured on the average list.
Racquetball Racquet Reviews
- Lightweight design concept
- Breathable material keeps the shoe from getting too hot
- Ample cushioning comfortably supports athletic maneuvering
The ASICS Gel-Rocket is a lightweight shoe that features comfortable, breathable material that keeps your feet from getting too hot. The rubber soles provide great traction while the padded bottoms are optimized for keeping your feet comfortable even during more strenuous maneuvers. All in all, it’s a great, well-balanced shoe for players of every skill level.
- Ergonomic design
- Breathable fabric keeps the shoe from getting hot
- Very affordable
Athletic footwear doesn’t get much more affordable than the Mishansha Court. But even though this is quite clearly a budget product, it should also stand out to anyone interested in good racquetball shoes. The fabric is breathable, while the ergonomic design is catered to the shape of the human foot all the way up to the ankle
- Moisture management system prevents sweat from building up
- Shock absorption enhances comfort and athletic support
- Highly breathable fabric
The ASICS Netburner feature’s sock liners that are designed to manage moisture from within the shoe. The shock-absorbing bottoms are perfect for high-intensity athletic maneuvers, while the breathable fabric will keep your feet from getting hot even during vigorous matches. Though this is one of the more expensive options featured here today, the high performance should more than compensate for this.
- Design that emphasizes comfort and performance
- Breathable mesh fabric to prevent hot feet
- Lightweight design
The Head Sonic 2000 emphasizes comfort and performance. The breathable mesh fabric is optimized for preventing hot feet while the lightweight design can help enhance athletic performance. The gumsole is also heavily padded while enhancing traction to enable quick athletic maneuvers. Those that want a good, well rounded athletic shoe are sure to find much to admire here.
- Extremely lightweight design
- Sweat absorption technology enhances comfort
- Thick heels optimized for shock absorption
The Python Deluxe Indoor is a lightweight shoe that focuses entirely on athletic performance. The interior is lined with a sweat absorption fabric that enhances comfort. Like most of the other products on our list, it also utilizes breathable fabric to avoid “hot feet” and benefits from thick padded soles that absorb shock.
- Three layers of fabric for sweat absorption and comfort
- Stable sole construction designed to disperse shock evenly
- Breathable fabric
The Mizuno Women’s Wave Momentum features three interior layers of fabric that are optimized both for comfort and sweat absorption. The Stable sole construction is designed to disperse shock evenly while the breathable fabric mitigates sweat and heat discomfort. Though this is one of the more expensive options on our list, it’s nevertheless a compelling choice for women looking for high-performance footwear.
Summary & Recommendations
It can be hard choosing from six great shoes. However, there are several recommendations we can extend that might make the decision a little bit easier. Those looking for the best of the best are likely to gravitate towards our top choice, the ASICS Gel-Rocket 9.
That said, budget buyers may be more interested in the Mishansha Court, while those with more money to spend may have their interest piqued by our premium pick, the ASICS Netburner Ballistic FF.
Post last updated on January 13, 2023