By Pierre Bastien, Squash Equipment Blogger at squashsource.com
Salming squash shoes came onto the scene a few years ago, when England’s Adrian Grant started wearing the brand. Salming now sponsors a number of top men’s and women’s players, including top-ranked American Chris Gordon, as well as Amr Shabana, Miguel Angel Rodriguez, Emily Whitlock, among others. Last year, Salming became the Professional Squash Association’s official clothing and shoe partner. Salming originally started by selling shoes for floorball, a version of hockey played on indoor courts, but have been expanding into other court sports like squash.
So why all the fuss? What attracted me initially were Salming’s bold designs, which stand out in a sea of often predictable squash shoe styles. In addition, the shoes are extremely comfortable, requiring little to no break-in time. They’re quite light, but still have excellent cushioning and stability—plus great grip on the floor.
In terms of sizing, many readers feel they run large, and some even recommend getting a half size smaller than usual. Personally, I wear my normal size and just cinch up the laces. Make sure your store has a good return policy.
Drawbacks? Salming shoes, it must be said, are one of the most expensive on the market. To top it off, many readers have reported they’re not very durable, although my pair of Race R1s lasted over a year, which is typical for me.
