Can You Use Basketball Shoes For Squash? Explained For Beginner

Suppose you have just gotten into squash and have doubts that you may or may not continue playing this game. Then you will certainly look for an alternative sports shoe that is as good as dedicated squash shoes.

So Can You Use Basketball Shoes For Squash? Well, there are conflicting opinions on this topic. Some will suggest using basketball shoes in place of squash shoes.

At the same time, others will strongly oppose you wearing squash shoes even if you haven’t decided to play this sport for longer.

So please stick with us till the end of the article because we will cover the topic from every angle. To learn more about the above, read on.

Related: Are Basketball Shoes Zero Drop? 

Can you Wear Basketball Shoes for Squash?

Yes, you can wear basketball shoes for squash. Basketball shoes have excellent support and stability. They are supportive of all side-to-side movements and have a wide base. That is necessary for a game like a squash, where you must make sudden moves and stops. 

The basketball shoes have protective features for the ankle. So they cover the ankle area and prevent any injuries. Additionally, recent iterations of basketball shoes are much lighter, such as Air Jordan 36 and K.D. 14. They have lightweight mesh uppers. 

It would help if you kept in mind buying shoes made for indoor hardwood basketball courts.  

Yes, you can wear basketball shoes for squash. Basketball shoes have excellent support and stability. They are supportive of all side-to-side movements and have a wide base. That is necessary for a game like a squash, where you must make sudden moves and stops.

Related: Are Kyrie Shoes Good For Basketball?

What Type of Shoes are Best for Squash

Squash is a game which requires more nimble and lightweight footwear. That makes it much easier to lunge and move in any direction in the fastest way.

Squash shoes are made to be very light on the feet to meet these requirements. The lighter the shoe is, the more easily you can step backward to hit the ball. 

Moreover, a more stable, secure and supportive shoe is required for squash that keeps you stable on your feet during quick movements. More often than not, players break their Achilles tendons when playing in non-supportive shoes. 

Hence they end up unfit for a longer period. A supportive shoe with a secure lockdown shoe is best for squash.

Also, it would help if you had non-marking shoes to play squash. The outdoor shoes have very hard rubber. They probably have the thick rubber racing tire traction pattern. That leaves marks on the surface.

In squash, you make sideways moves. Hence, It spoils the experience and surface where you play squash. So, it would help if you used shoes designed for indoor courts that do not leave marks on the surface.

The shoe needs to be well cushioned to prevent feet from fatiguing. Padding under your feet will absorb impact from the surface. 

As this game does not require jumps, you don’t need high up-the-ground padding underneath your feet. 

Related: Can You Use Basketball Shoes For Volleyball?

Do You Need Special Shoes for Squash

For a beginner, basketball shoes are a nice alternative to squash shoes. But if you are playing a professional squash game, you should upgrade your shoes to dedicated ones. Because basketball shoes’ traction pattern or grip generally wears out prematurely in squash. 

Moreover, the squash shoes come at very affordable prices. A decent pair of squash shoes by Head or Asics comes under 100$.

Can you Wear Basketball Shoes for Squash?

Yes, you can wear basketball shoes for squash. Basketball shoes have excellent support and stability. They are supportive of all side-to-side movements and have a wide base. That is necessary for a game like a squash, where you must make sudden moves and stops. 

The basketball shoes have protective features for the ankle. So they cover the ankle area and prevent any injuries. Additionally, recent iterations of basketball shoes are much lighter, such as Air Jordan 36 and K.D. 14. They have lightweight mesh uppers. 

It would help if you kept in mind buying shoes made for indoor hardwood basketball courts. 

What Features To Look For in Basketball Shoes to Use Them As Squash Shoes

1-Weight

Squash shoes are lighter in weight than bulky basketball shoes. Their cushion in the heel makes it heavier in weight. Because we need impact protection, responsiveness and a force that stores potential energy and gives back kinetic energy, this is essential as, in basketball, a player makes a lot of jump shots and rebound backs.

While it’s different in squash, where a beefy cushion is unnecessary, you need just enough cushioning to absorb impact in indoor courts. Because there is no jumping in squash. So Zoom, Air max, bounce or Phylon cushion basketball shoes are great for squash for their low weight and low-to-the-ground setup.

2-Heel Cushion

A player must have nice heel Cushing that protects the ankles from rolling. Hence they will be able to make aggressive lateral movements fearlessly. 

Many Nike shoes have forefoot and heel zoom cushions stacked under the football and heel, making the shoe more comfortable and low to the ground. 

Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 has zoom air and Zoom air Strobel in the heel, an excellent cushioning with low weight and solid impact protection.

3-Toe Guard

Players do a lot of toe-dragging in squash. More often than not, basketball shoes have synthetic overlays over the mesh upper in toe areas. Which acct as a guard to save the shoe from tearing apart from excessive toe dragging.

So look out for a shoe with a hard plastic piece on the toe area to protect it from aggressive toe dragging. Thus, in deeper lunges, your toe areas will be protected and improve the shoe’s longevity.

4-Tip To Protect Toe Area

Even if your shoe does not have hard rubber or plastic piece coming up and wrapping the sides of the shoe, you can apply a simple trick to save your shoe. Apply 4-5 layers of duck tape on the toe area with the shoe goo. That will save your shoe for a longer period.

5-Wide Base

Like basketball, squash shoes have to be wider in the base from the forefoot area, improving lateral movement stability.

Most basketball shoes have wide bases, such as Curry 10, P.G. 6, and Witness 7. These are very stable shoes with prominent outrigger areas on the forefoot. 

6-Non- Marking

It’s very important to have a non-marking basketball shoe for squash. The foam outsole, as in Under Armour Curry 9 and Curry 10 you get foam outsole and has amazing traction and stability.

Such non-marking shoes do not leave marks on the indoor squash court.

Squash shoes are Cheaper.

Basketball shoes are made to meet with a lot of complexities to meet all the requirements in a ball court. Hence these are backed by massive research, which spikes their cost.

But squash shoes are made with a simpler setup. Thus their cost is significantly lower than professional basketball shoes.

If you play squash thrice a week, you should buy a professional Asics or Head sheo.

What difference between Basketball shoes and Squash Shoe

Conclusion

Basketball shoes can be used as squash shoes at the beginner level. Because many features are that you need in squash shaoe are same as basketball shoes.

However, as a regular squash player, we would recomend buying a professional squash sneakers.