Squash gear does not have to be expensive, but it does have to suit you: the right racket and ball add control, the right shoes save your footwork and your ankles, and goggles save your eyes. Below are practical picks for rackets, balls, shoes, eyewear, and accessories, sorted by whether you are starting out, improving, or already competing.
Squash Rackets: Power and Control in Your Hands
Your racket influences your power, control, and shot consistency through its weight, balance, head shape, and string tension. Within World Squash Federation rules a racket can be up to 686mm (27in) long with a maximum strung head area of 500 sq cm, and most modern frames weigh roughly 110 to 145 grams unstrung. What to choose at each stage:
- Beginners: a forgiving teardrop-shaped (open-throat) head gives a larger sweet spot and more power on off-centre hits; go light (around 115 to 135 grams) with a larger head. Good graphite or composite starters cost around $50; avoid very cheap aluminium rackets, which are heavy and hard to use.
- Intermediate: a mid-weight frame (roughly 135 to 155 grams) with a mid-plus head balances power and precision while staying agile for volleys. Lines like the Tecnifibre Carboflex and Dunlop Sonic Core are popular, around $100 to $150.
- Advanced: high-performance frames, lighter (around 120 grams) for manoeuvrability or head-light and heavier for punch, with stiffer, smaller heads for accuracy. Established lines include the Tecnifibre Carboflex, Dunlop Hyperfibre and Precision, and Head Radical and Speed, often over $150. Try several to find what suits your style.
The racket is there to support your technique, so as your game develops, do not be afraid to upgrade or restring to match your growing skills.
Squash Balls: Finding the Right Bounce
Squash balls differ mainly in bounce, indicated by a coloured dot: a bouncier ball gives longer rallies, while a slower ball dies quickly unless struck hard, adding challenge. All standard balls are about 40mm in diameter. Using the Dunlop system as a reference:
| Dot colour | Level | Bounce | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Dot | Intro | Highest (bounciest) | Beginners and young juniors who need extra reaction time and longer rallies. Slightly larger and very lively, so it needs little warming up. |
| Red Dot | Progress | A step down from blue | Improving recreational players. Adds challenge as skills advance, but is still easier than competition balls. A common choice for casual club players who find the double yellow too unresponsive. |
| Single Yellow Dot | Competition | Medium-low | Intermediate players, cooler court conditions, or advanced players practising on a cold court. Rewards harder hits with more bounce but will not fly too high. |
| Double Yellow Dot | Pro | Lowest | The official tournament ball for advanced and professional players. Hardly bounces when cold and needs a thorough warm-up. Offers the most challenge and control for strong hitters, but can feel dead to less experienced players. |
Match the ball to your level so you spend more time hitting and less time picking up a dead ball, a double yellow would give a beginner frustratingly short rallies. Squash balls are unusual: a pro-grade ball barely bounces cold but, once warmed up, can bounce well over twice as high, so as you move to balls with less bounce, remember a good warm-up.
Squash Shoes: Move Better and Stay Safe
Playing squash in running shoes feels like being on an ice rink. The sport's sudden stops, starts, and lunges need shoes that grip the floor, support the ankle, and cushion your joints, which also helps prevent rolled ankles and strained arches. Key features:
- Non-marking gum rubber soles, standard for indoor court shoes, for grip on the court floor.
- Cushioning and lateral support, a shock-absorbing midsole and a snug fit around the heel and ankle.
- Breathability, with mesh panels to keep hot feet cooler.
- Weight, lighter feels faster, but not at the cost of too much support.
Beginners: any indoor court shoe beats running shoes, with models like the ASICS Gel-Rocket and Head Grid around $50 to $70. Intermediate and advanced players benefit from better ankle stability, more cushioning, and lighter materials; ASICS, Adidas, Head, Salming, and Eye Rackets all make good options, with top-tier lines like the Salming Kobra and Viper over $100. Fit snug but not painfully tight, and replace your shoes every 6 to 12 months if you play a lot, since worn soles lose grip and worn cushioning loses its protection.
Protective Eyewear: Do Not Skip Eye Safety
A squash ball can act like a rubber bullet at high speed, and a ball or swinging racket to the eye can cause severe injury in a split second, even in casual play. The World Squash Federation recommends mandatory eyewear for juniors and their coaches, and it is required in many sanctioned junior competitions; adults are wise to wear it too. Modern goggles are lightweight and do not interfere with vision, and quality anti-fog pairs cost only around $15 to $25.
Look for an anti-fog coating or vented design, shatterproof polycarbonate lenses, and adjustable straps, and check for the ASTM F803 standard, which certifies impact testing for racket sports. Reputable brands include Dunlop, Tecnifibre, Prince, and Head, and prescription wearers can find covers or made-to-order prescription goggles. Wear eye protection especially in doubles, when the ball flies around unpredictably.
Optional Accessories: Grips, Strings, Bags, and More
Smaller pieces of gear add comfort, consistency, and convenience that help your performance over time.
Grips
Factory grips wear out and get slippery with sweat, and a fresh, tacky grip prevents the racket twisting in your hand and lets you relax your hold for better touch. A replacement grip (rather than an overgrip) is usually best for squash; the Karakal PU Super Grip is a popular tacky option. Some players prefer a very thin grip to feel the handle bevels, others layer two for a thicker, softer feel. Re-grip periodically, at a few dollars each, whenever the racket starts slipping.
Strings and Tension
The factory strings in a new racket are fine to start, but as you improve, type and tension matter. Lower (looser) tension adds bounce, a bigger sweet spot, and easier power for beginners, while higher (tighter) tension gives more control and a crisper feel for players who hit the sweet spot consistently. Squash tensions sit between about 20 and 30 lb: intermediate players tend to settle around 24 to 26 lb, advanced players around 26 to 30 lb for maximum control (accepting more string breakage). For string type, multifilament strings such as the Tecnifibre 305 give power, spin, and a soft feel popular with high-level players, while recreational players often pick more durable synthetic gut or thicker gauges. Restring when the strings feel lifeless or fray, advanced players perhaps every month or two, casual players a year or more.
Bags
Squash bags are sized by how many rackets they hold (3, 6, 9, or 12). A 6-racket bag is a good medium size, often with two or three compartments so you can keep wet clothes and shoes separate from your rackets, which also protects strings from moisture. Most are padded, and backpack-style straps make carrying easier; smaller squash backpacks suit travelling light. Dunlop, Tecnifibre, and Head all make bags, but any with the right size and features will do.
Other Handy Gear
A few more accessories help:
- Sweatbands for wrist or head keep sweat off your eyes and grip.
- A small courtside towel to dry off between games.
- Vibration dampeners, uncommon in squash but used by a few players to reduce string buzz.
- Lace locks for laces that come undone during play.
- A large water bottle, since hydration is key.
As you get more serious, you might also carry spare strings or a small first-aid kit with blister pads.
You do not need the most expensive kit, you need kit that fits where you are: forgiving gear that helps a beginner rally, sharper gear that rewards an improver, fine-tuned strings for the player chasing marginal gains. Get the shoes and goggles right at every level, and the rest is just refining as you go.
