02/09/2026
Slightly whimsical, but I wanted to share this....
My squash shoes, 'gutties', 'trainers' (whatever) have never endured the rigours of the game long enough for me to have noticed how the game grinds them down. I bought these Asics 'Beyond FF Sn32' court shoes in April 2024 in a House of Fraser sale for £42. I've been wearing them on court ever since. From the beginning it was like lunging on clouds, with excellent ankle support. They're not even sold as squash shoes, but I've loved them. They're recommended for volleyball, but given their massive reduction from £130ish in the sale, I figured I'd give them a go - they must be good!
Look at how the inside / front of the sole has worn as I've dragged my left foot from the lunge position. I must favour leading with my right foot, or is it because everyone plays to an opponents 'weaker' backhand? Anyway.... there's so much of it worn away now that it's starting to work it's way under the shoe upper. The stitching is starting to go, rubbed away just above the big toe knuckle line. Historically, the place most of my squash trainers have collapsed is on the outer, upper - by the little toe, from the pressure exerted in changing direction. Not in these babies - they're still bullet proof at this location.
I'll get a few more matches out of these guys before they're completely done. That's 2 and half years and counting - they might make it until Christmas 🤔.
It's slightly weird, I never had a pair of squash shoes that lasted this long to develop an attachment to, but I'd really miss these bad boys when they eventually become unusable☹️! If I hadn't bought a 2nd pair in the same sale a couple of weeks later. So I've another brand new identical pair still sitting in the box, waiting their turn 🥳👀🎉
Some might not like these shoes however, because they are a little bigger / wider, not as dainty as many of the squash shoes I've seem friends play in. But these shoes have earned my respect. They are light with superb cushioning and so well made, to have sustained the punishment I've dished out to them over the past 30 months.
