What squash equipment should I use?
Equipment
Independent equipment reviews from Squash Magazine contributor Pierre Bastien are available at www.squashsource.com.
Eyewear
The risk of eye injury in racquet sports such as squash is high according to the American Academies of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics, the American Optometric Association, and eye care professionals who have studied sports eye injuries. Fortunately, these injuries are almost totally preventable with appropriate protective equipment.
All players and coaches must wear protective eyewear whether playing singles or doubles, hardball or softball squash during all activities involving racquets and balls that take place on a court at US Squash accredited events.
Racquet
Racquets vary significantly in weight, power, balance, grip and frame and choosing a racquet is a personal decision that depends on what a person feels most comfortable with.
When starting out, the best option is to go to your local club pro shop and ask to trial of a range of their racquets so that you can understand the differences and decide on the racquet that most suits your strength, ability and preference.
Shoes
Squash court floors are unsealed, and therefore squash players must wear non-marking shoes in order to not damage the court. Squash-specific shoes are available from several brands, but many players also wear volleyball shoes which are very similar. Non-marking running shoes are not recommended because they do not provide the lateral support needed for squash.
To check if your shoes are non-marking, drag the bottom edge of the shoe against a small part of the floor to see if any coloring is left on the court. When playing, stop play immediately if you see any signs of marks developing on the floor.
Balls
US Squash is proud to partner with Dunlop as the Official Ball. Dunlop is the premiere name in squash worldwide; it offers the World’s Number One Squash Ball. The 2009 Dunlop ball range meets the needs of the range of players from the professional level to beginners stepping onto a court for the first time. In 2009, Dunlop is introducing a new construction technology (N-1SR³) that makes each ball more durable and playable.