Raquetball is a game that is grueling and demanding and one that puts an immense amount of pressure on your feet. In order to be successful in racquetball, an athlete needs to have the right equipment and that includes shoes that are suitable for the sport. An hour or two of racquetball is an exhausting experience under the best of circumstances. However, if a player is not wearing appropriate footwear, the exhaustion factor sets in much quicker and the player can also be left with severe blisters on his feet. Racquetball shoes need to provide excellent protection from the start-and-stop nature of the sport, and that means they must be worn in conjunction with sport socks that provide additional protection.
What to Look for
Most racquetball players are looking for footwear that will grip the floor securely with little chance of slippage. The upper portion of the shoe must be light and strong and today's players want significant breathability in those shoes. Thick padding around the top of the shoe keeps both the foot and the ankle from slipping. Most racquetball clubs require a light-colored sole that will not leave any marks at all on the court. Racquetball shoes come in high-top, mid-cut and low cut and all have advantages. Those with weak ankles will want to go with the high tops. The mid-cut shoes are good for those who need a bit of extra support and the low cut shoes are best for those who want lighter equipment and don't need extra support for the ankles.
Common Pitfalls
Very few shoes in all of sports take more of a beating than racquetball shoes. There is constant friction from the start-and-stop nature of the sport and that means the shoes wear quickly. If you are a player who plays three times a week or more for an hour or more each session, that means you will run through new shoes every 3 to 6 months. Racquetball shoes are usually reasonably priced ($35 to $85 per pair), but it's important to know that if you are going to commit to the sport a racquetball player needs to understand that acquiring new shoes on a regular basis is to be expected. A racquetball player should not try to wear shoes that have been damaged by throwing some tape on a rip. That can lead to painful and debilitating foot injuries. The racquetball player is much better off spending the money and putting on top-flight shoes whenever a flaw is noticed.
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