Ready to start playing squash, or need to upgrade your current racquet? Our guide breaks it all down so you can understand your racquet options and make the best choice for your game.

When the British troops marched on the little towns of Lexington and Concord, no one, not even the American patriots defending their towns, knew it was the beginning of a revolution. How could they know? These were farmers and shopkeepers who just knew they didn’t want those British troops invading their homes and businesses.

Revolutions have a tendency to sneak up on the participants. One minute you are simply looking for a better option and at the next, everything is different. And things are never the same again. So it has been for the revolution in racquet sports equipment. Like all racquet sports, squash has quietly seen a dramatic revolution in materials, construction methods and even shapes. This guide will help you sort out the options.

Before we dive in to how to buy your racquet, the first step is to understand the basics of the squash racquet, including shape, head weight, overall weight, strings, and grips.

When looking for a racquet, squash athletes have two choices: classic and teardrop. The main difference is that the teardrop’s strings go all the way down into the throat. In the classic models, a piece of the frame at the base of the stringbed is the end point for strings.

While the teardrop shape has evolved into the dominant option, there are still classic, closed throat options. The classic option typically has a smaller sweet spot and is less forgiving on off center hits. But they are viewed as excellent for control when striking the ball in the sweet spot. Therefore, this shape is best used only for advanced players.

Teardrop shaped racquets are the power generators but sometimes control is an issue. It is worth noting however, that even pros have largely migrated to the teardrop.

Traditionally, the more advanced you became at playing squash, the more you wanted the racquet to be head heavy. By having the weight distribution tilted a bit toward the top of the stringbed, more power could be expected. But like all revolutions change is coming. The desire for more maneuverability means more balanced and head light racquets are being used even though control can be an issue for a heavy hitter. But this is a matter of personal taste and what the player’s needs are to improve.

Most squash racquets fall into a range of weights from 100g to 150g. However, the trend is relentlessly down as more and more carbon fiber has been introduced. Indeed, prices are higher on the lighter racquets for this reason. Reading the description of a racquet’s features is very important not just to discern the weight, but also to understand its strengths. Lighter racquets are definitely more maneuverable but may lack control.

Knowing your own game is a critical variable. By honestly assessing where your strengths and weaknesses are, you will know which racquet is most likely to enhance your results. The weights in product descriptions are before strings and grip are added. Note that if you add anything to the frame such as lead tape or even an overgrip, this is not included in the manufacturer’s weight. Also, the numbers used in the name for the racquet are often the manufacturer’s weight for the racquet.

Racquets come from the factory strung with a simple synthetic gut string. Usually, they are strung between 26 and 28 pounds at the factory. Over time and with play, strings do become looser and less “grippy” on the ball. While this might create a bit more power it is sure to come at the price of control. Getting your squash racket restrung is a necessity. Some players prefer to restring almost immediately if they have a particular desire for a particular string and tension.

Weather also has a major impact on strings. Leaving your racquet in a cold car trunk in between matches means it will go through heating and cooling perhaps over a wide range. This too, will loosen strings.

The standard grip coming from the factory is fine for a few matches. However, they do lose the ability to absorb sweat and become less and less tacky. Replacing a grip at least annually is a really good idea and is a DIY project. Allowing a racquet to slip in your hand in the middle of a point will not have a good outcome. Adding overgrips is common especially if your hands are large.

Now that you understand the basics of the squash racquet, it's time to apply that knowledge and make the best choice for your own new racquet.

Need more power? Think about a head heavy model with a teardrop shape. Looking for more maneuverability to be able to flick the racquet head? Go with a lighter weight in a teardrop. Having trouble controlling your shots? Try a classic shape.

A novice shouldn’t buy an expensive model built for the pro player. However, a lighter weight may help the novice improve the variety of shots they can hit. Every person is different.

However, shopping based exclusively on price is not wise as you may wind up with a racquet that is not appropriate for you and your needs. Also, if you are upgrading your equipment, buying the least expensive model may not give the latest technological improvements. Buying the most expensive model makes sense only if that is what your game needs.

The color scheme of a racquet is not relevant in how the racquet plays but maybe the color can help you decide between two evenly matched racquets in your search.

TennisRacquets.com has a big selection of squash racquets and equipment for all kinds of sports. If you need some advice, contact us as we love to help. We also carry a wide array of shoes and accessories to make your experience even more fun. It’s time to get out and play some squash!