Court Shoes for Tennis, Badminton and Squash

SPORT · GLOBAL

Court Shoes for Tennis, Badminton and Squash

Why court shoes differ, outsoles by surface, fit and injury prevention

Court sports involve stopping, changing direction and moving sideways, which is precisely what running shoes are not built for.

Why running shoes are wrong

A running shoe has a soft compressible midsole and a narrow base designed for forward motion. In a lateral movement the foot rolls over the edge of it, which is how ankles are sprained.

Court shoes have a wider, flatter base, reinforced sides and a lower profile for stability.

Outsoles by surface

Clay court shoes use a herringbone pattern that sheds clay and allows a controlled slide. Hard court shoes have a more durable compound and usually carry an outsole warranty. Grass shoes use pimples for grip.

Indoor shoes for badminton and squash have non-marking gum soles, which most venues require. Check before turning up, since black-soled shoes are frequently refused.

Fit

Snug with around half a centimetre at the toe, since the foot slides forward on every stop. Heel lock matters more than in any other shoe — a slipping heel causes blisters and instability.

Try them at the end of the day with the socks you play in, and move sideways rather than just walking.

Replacing them

When the outsole is smooth or the midsole has compressed, which happens long before the upper looks worn. Playing in dead shoes is a common cause of knee and ankle problems.

Injury prevention

Warm up properly including sideways movement, build volume gradually, and treat persistent ankle or knee pain with a physiotherapist rather than new shoes.

Other court kit

Grip tape replaced regularly does more for racket control than a new racket. Eye protection is compulsory for squash in many clubs and for juniors, and squash ball injuries to the eye are serious.

Check what your club requires before turning up.

Rackets

Weight, balance and grip size matter more than the model. A grip too small makes you hold on too tightly, which contributes to elbow problems.

Playing surfaces and shoes

Wearing outdoor shoes indoors damages sprung floors and is refused by most venues. Keep court shoes for the court, which also keeps the soles clean and grippy.

Check the sole pattern against what your club uses, since clay, hard court and indoor soles are not interchangeable.

Warming up

Ten minutes of movement including sideways steps, lunges and gentle rallying before playing hard. Court sports start explosively, which is where calf and achilles injuries happen.

Build playing volume gradually at the start of a season rather than arriving unprepared.

Socks

Technical socks rather than cotton, and deal with a hot spot when you feel it.

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