About Racquetball Shoes

Racquetball shoes are lightweight sneakers that are similar to tennis sneakers. Many players wear tennis sneakers, but proper racquetball shoes are a better product to use for the sport because of their design. They need to provide an ability for the wearer to remain light on his feet, move quickly in different directions and stop quickly at the same time. Soles are designed with a special surface to accommodate the movements used in the sport. Many racquetball clubs stipulate that racquetball shoes do not mark or damage the racquetball court.

  1. Racquetball Rule Book

    • The USA racquetball rule book indicates that racquetball shoes must have soles that do not mark or damage the court. In other words, the shoes do not leave black lines or streaks on the surface of the court.

    Duration

    • Racquetball shoes should be changed at the first sign of wear. Usually, the inside of the toe begins to rip due to the movement required in the sport. The sudden stops, starts and changes of direction cause these rips. Racquetball shoes usually last between three months and one year, depending upon the frequency of use.

    Types

    • Racquetball shoes come in different types, just as other sneakers do. The racquetball shoes are available in low, mid and hi-top models. Individual preference determines the type of model selected. Players with weak ankles are more likely to prefer the mid or hi-top shoe, since it provides additional ankle support when tied at the tops.

    Models

    • Racquetball shoes are produced by most major sneaker companies. The leading shoes include the Hi-tec Switchback, the Nike Zoom, The Ektelon Classic, the Ektelon Roadster, the Ektelon QT series, the Wilson EM series, the Wilson's EB7 series, the Ashaway AST 500i, the Pro Kennex Pure, the New Balance CT653, the Head Games. Different shoes are preferred based on their emphasis on traction or on speed.

    Design Features

    • The most defining feature of the racquetball shoe is its sole. The sole is tacky and gummy which allows the foot to stop suddenly on the slick surface of a racquetball court. They are designed to be lightweight to facilitate fast movement. The shoes often have stabilizers in order to counter the lateral movements made during the game. The shoes often are made with a box-shape toe to prevent friction caused by jumping, starting, and stopping quickly. Cushioning is usually part of the shoe sole as well in order to deal with impact from jumping and running.