Before reading the ultimate racquetball equipment and accessories list, let’s talk a bit about the sport itself.
Racquetball, also known as American Squash, is one of the relatively new racquet sports that have gained a lot of traction lately. It was invented during the 1950s, and was played in very few parts of America. People from other regions started taking part in Racquetball from the beginning of the 21st century. Though this sport is not as popular as badminton, tennis, or table tennis, it is considered as one of the major racket sports.
The racquetball community has grown a lot during the last decade and more and more official tournaments are being held. If you are willing to take a racket sport as your new passion, then it’s just the right time to dive into racquetball. It is easier to get better at racquetball compared to tennis or badminton, but provides just as much enjoyment.
If you’re a tennis player as well as a racquetball player take a look at our tennis equipment list or if you also play badminton be sure to take a look at our badminton equipment list. It gets even better when you play well, and for that you should know what you actually need for playing racquetball. My ultimate racquetball equipment and accessories list is here to serve that purpose.
Let’s get started with the list then!
Racquetball Racquets
It is evident from the name that the most obvious required piece of equipment that you need to play racquetball is a good racquetball racquet. This is exactly why it’s at the top of our racquetball equipment list.
Unlike traditional racket sports such as tennis, racquetball racquets are significantly lighter. Weights range from 150g to 185g. However, most racquetball racquets can be categorized into one of three categories by weight. Racquets weighing 6 ounces or lower fall into the light weight category and those weighing up to 6.5 ounces fall into the medium weight category, while 7 ounces or higher are categorized as heavy racquetball racquets.
Most beginner racquetball players just getting into the game prefer heavier racquets and transition into lighter racquets as they get more experienced. According to the current standard racquetball rules imposed by the International Racquetball Federation, there are no limitations on the weight of a racquetball racket. The racket itself, including the grip, the bumper guard and the handle should not exceed 22 inches in length.
How To Choose A Racquetball Racquet
While choosing a racquetball racquet, what is most important is to choose a racquet that aligns best with your playing style. Some prefer a style which is more tactical and light footed whereas others have a more power form of play. If you prefer to play in a tactical manner, lighter racquets will suit your style more while heavy racquets will give you more power when swinging. Each player has a different swing style and swing speed which will heavily influence what type of racquets you will perform best with. Heavier racquets facilitate hitting the ball with greater pace while lighter racquets help with longer rallies and better placement of the ball. If you add in aesthetic preferences and the sheer feel of each racquet, the sample size gets even harder to narrow down.
Racquetball racquets come at vastly different price points and your options and preferences will significantly change with budget. The racquetball racquet you choose to play with should have the best balance and aerodynamics within your price range. All racquetball racquet materials are generally considered safe. Most modern rackets that are used today are composed of composite carbon fiber (Modern carbon fiber is graphite reinforced plastic). Carbon fiber may be augmented by a variety of materials. Read our article where we review the Best Racquetball Racquets. In that article we have tested and reviewed the best Racquetball racquets on the market.
Our Racquetball Racquet Recommendations
Compared to the past, modern racquetball racquets have excellent strength to weight ratio, are relatively stiff, and give excellent kinetic energy transfer. Lower priced racquets start at about the $20 price point and can cost upwards of $200. This means you do not need to spend a fortune on your first racquet, just find the best racquet at the price point that you’re comfortable with.
Here are a few recommendations you can pick from:
Racquetball Balls
The word ball is part of the name of the sport for a reason. You can’t play racquetball without a racquetball ball, which is why it’s the second entry on our racquetball equipment list.
Racquetballs are manufactured in a multiple array of colors ranging from green, blue to other brighter colors like yellow and pink. These colors indicate that the ball is made for a specific pre-intended playing environment. However, it is suggested that racquetballs should be bought in sets, since most racquetballs last for 3 to 5 games, dependent on the length and competitiveness of each game. Some racquetballs tend to travel fast while others travel at slower rates. From fastest to slowest they can be ranged as red, purple, green, blue and black.
The balls used in racquetball are made of rubber and have 2.25-inch diameter. Each racquetball is expected to have a weight of around 1.4 ounces. According to federation rules, each ball is expected to have a hardness rating of around 55-60 on the durometer.
These balls bounce about 68-72 ounces when dropped from a height of about 100 inches under standard temperature conditions. Balls are relatively cheap and go for around $3 a set. Once you start using the balls, this process of depressurization is accelerated and eventually the balls lose their initial bounciness and the ball is referred to as dead.
Best Racquetball Balls For Beginners
Your choice of racquetball doesn’t affect the integrity of your racquet too much, as most reputable brand of balls don’t damage the strings on your racquet too much. It is suggested that beginners start playing with a blue ball since these balls have average speed, a glide that shouldn’t be hard to get used to at the beginning. Blue balls are also generally considered neutral balls and are usually the most accurate. You can try to mix up the variant of these balls and figure out which color of ball you like to play with most.
Racquetballs do break occasionally, and will lose their bounce over time even without breaking due to depressurization of the container. To keep balls around for a long time it is suggested to keep the container in a room temperature setting after opening. Also keep them out of extreme cold or heat because this will cause the balls to become less effective and lose their bounce due to chemical properties of the rubber.
Here are some durable and tested recommendations:
Racquetball Set
When you’re starting out with racquetball it could be beneficial to take a look at a racquetball set instead of buying individual racquetball items. Racquetball sets can include a racquetball racquet, balls & protective eyewear or goggles. It allows you to make 1 purchase which will give you the ability to walk on the racquetball court and have your first game of racquetball. It’s a good starting point for racquetball for beginners who want an easy introduction to the sport of racquetball. This is why I’ve included it on the racquetball equipment list.
Take a look at our recommendations for the best racquetball set:
Racquetball Shoes
Racquetball is a high intensity sport that requires plenty of quick & sudden movements. And due to the shiny court surfaces the game is played on, a lot of grip is required due to directional movement. Forward to lateral movement switching should be somewhat easier when your shoes give you good support and traction. This is why racquetball shoes are an essential item on the racquetball equipment list.
Racquetball shoes are ultra-lightweight and thus provide little extra weight while moving. These shoes also provide support to the ankles and are padded for micro corrections during movement. The gum soles also offer great grip on to the court and thus are different to normal sports shoes. However, racquetball shoes might not be readily available. In those cases, basketball and volleyball shoes make for great replacements due to the similar surfaces these games are played on. But running shoes should always be avoided since they provide zero to no grip or ankle support to provide excess agility.
Best Racquetball Shoes
The right pair of indoor shoes can help you play your best game, so don’t forget to change out your racquetball shoes after 45-60 hours of play or when they become visibly worn, whichever comes first! There is also the extra cushioning in front of these shoes that degrade with time. So it is always a good idea to switch out your shoes for a fresh pair as they get older. Having a spare never hurts either!
Sizing for racquetball shoes are similar to any other traditional shoe, and most famous brands like Nike, Adidas and Asics also have their own lines of racquetball shoes for those looking to go for established names. But there are also some great affordable and cost-efficient options that are available within the 100 Dollar range.
Read our article where we have tested and reviewed the Best Racquetball Shoes on the market today, so that you have detailed information about the best Racquetball footwear available to you.
Here are some great options that you can consider while buying your next racquetball shoe:
Men’s Racquetball Shoes
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Asics Men's Gel Rocket 10 Racquetball Shoes | | |
Adidas Men's Barricade 12 Racquetball Shoes | | |
HEAD Men's Sonic 2000 MID Racquetball Shoes | | |
Python Mid Indoor Racquetball Shoes | | |
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Women’s Racquetball Shoes
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ASICS Women's Gel Rocket 10 Racquetball Shoes | | |
Adidas Women's Crazyflight Bounce 3 Racquetball Shoes | | |
HEAD Women's Revolt Pro Racquetball Shoes | | |
New Balance Women's 1006 v1 Racquetball Shoes | | |
Python Women's Deluxe Indoor Racquetball Shoes | | |
Racquetball Goggles, Glasses & Eyewear
If you play racquetball at all, whether you play infrequently or several times a week, you must wear the best racquetball goggles when you play. The International Racquetball Federation mandates the wearing of goggles at all times on a court which is why it’s an important item on the racquetball equipment list. The reason why the federation has made it mandatory to wear racquetball protective eyewear is because of the obvious potential injury issue of a 100 mph ball heading towards you.
Goggles are a relatively simple and cheap piece of equipment to pick up so there is no excuse not to do so. There are usually two types of lens goggles in the market- one lens piece or two lens piece. Two lens piece goggles usually have extra support in the middle. These lenses look extremely stylish but often provide very little protection. They also block some of the peripheral vision. Single lens piece goggles are significantly less stylish and may be a bit harder to wear but they offer better vision and provide better security.
Important Racquetball Goggles Features
Anti-fog coating is also an important factor to consider. A lot of goggles will fog up during long playing sessions. This obviously leads to problems like loss of vision and sometimes even nausea. Also check if the new pair of goggles you’re buying come with straps because they might fall off during the heat of play. Adjustable side arms are also necessary, since goggles aren’t usually one size serves all. You’d want to be able to adjust your size on the go. Also, you may want to consider getting a pair that allows you to swap lenses easily.
Once you have had yours for a while, the lenses may naturally get scratched through wear and tear. Racquetball lenses usually come considerably cheap. Prices range from 10 to 30 dollars varying and depending on range and model. These goggles are specifically designed for racquetball, and thus can avoid damage in most conditions, ensuring durability and bang for your buck. Read our article where we tested and reviewed the Best Racquetball Goggles, Glasses and Protective Eyewear and where we classify them into cheap, average priced and premium Racquetball glasses.
Here are some of my recommendations within any range:
Racquetball Gloves
Racquetball gloves help even-out the surface of your hands to help promote a more secure grip on the racquet handle. This is especially important if you don’t have a wrap type grip equipped on your handle. Some gloves even come with Terrycloth micro-pads inside the gloves which help to absorb moisture thus reducing slippage and keeping your hands dry and comfortable while playing a hard session.
Gloves are not essential to play racquetball, you could play racquetball without gloves, but it’s can give you an advantage over an opponent who doesn’t wear racquetball gloves. Most professional players have their own preference of gloves and you’ll find one suiting your playing style too.
Best Racquetball Gloves Requirements
Above all, you want your gloves to be ultra-durable. You don’t want your gloves to show signs of tear or stress after a few tumbles and rough landings. To avoid the situation of continuous stress, it is suggested that you have a couple of pairs of gloves to use in rotation. This will also help you figure out your preferences in terms of both gloves and your grips. Another important factor to consider is the breathability of your glove, as gloves that are suffocating will affect your performance.
You don’t want your wrists to get sweaty and slippery within your gloves. Since most gloves are made of leather, they may also stretch. This gives you a good feel, but becomes problematic if your gloves don’t fit you well.
Also look out for adequate padding on your gloves so that you don’t hurt your fingers or palms. Remember not to pick gloves that are too sticky because that takes away from your versatility. You want your wrists to glide freely about the handle but not too slippery as that will result in you losing control.
Racquetball Glove Comfort
Above all, picking the right pair of gloves is all about being comfortable. And there is an array of gloves within all price points that will do you just fine. Most gloves range from under 8$ to well over 20$.
Here are a few options of racquetball gloves for you to choose from our racquetball equipment list:
Racquetball Clothes
There is no specific dress code when it comes to playing racquetball. However, for playing this high intensity sport to your fullest potential, you should choose athletic clothes. Though played in a small confined space, racquetball is a very fast-paced sport and you do need breathable clothes for that. Male racquetball players usually wear short sleeved shirts and shorts made of breathable materials such as cotton or polyester.
Female players, on the other hand, prefer athletic tank tops, like tennis players. In fact, racquetball clothing is very similar to tennis clothing, as female racquetball players also wear shorts or skorts. Skorts has become quite popular in recent times in racquetball as well. Skorts are basically customized skirts that come with an inner layer of shorts made of materials like spandex.
Here are my racquetball apparel choices for both men & women racquetball players:
Mens Racquetball Shirts
Womens Racquetball Shirts
Mens Racquetball Shorts
Womens Racquetball Shorts & Skorts
Racquetball Bag
Some might feel that a racquetball bag isn’t an essential piece of racquetball equipment, but ask any racquetball player whether they need a proper racquetball bag to transport all their gear & they’ll all say a resounding yes. And if you’re only just starting out playing racquetball and only have one set of balls and a single racquet, it makes sense investing in a racquetball bag now, knowing that very quickly you realize that you need a proper bag for all the racquetball accessories that you will start using. This is the reason why racquetball bags are on the racquetball equipment list.
As you get better and more involved in the sport, you’ll start carrying more equipment, so getting a bag in preparation for that is ideal. Above all, a good bag will significantly increase your quality of life and make your game much easier.
What Are Racquetball Bags Made Of
Bags are usually made of soft nylon cloth material and thus will probably not add too much weight to your baggage. It is important that the bag you choose be waterproof. You don’t want your racquetball accessories and equipment getting soggy and unusable on the way to your training session. Another important thing to keep in mind is the number of pockets or compartments your bag has. Most bags usually come with a large compartment. You can store your racquet and your set of balls within this compartment.
Make sure your bag is over 22 inches in internal length because otherwise you’ll be cramped in space. It’s also really important that your fragile accessories are placed within the most padded pockets of your bag. And use smaller pockets or spaces for storing extra grips, gloves or sweatbands.
How Much Do Racquetball Bags Cost?
Bags come in all sizes, shapes and price points. Your preference in aesthetics is completely up to you, but always remember not to break your budget with a bag. Bags can start at under 15 Dollars for under cheaper brands and they can go as high as 150 dollars for premium bags that come with special features and extra compartments.
Here are a few of our recommendations for the best bags money can buy:
Racquetball Grip
One of the most important steps to becoming better at racquetball is to hold your racquet the right and most comfortable way. However, even the best racquetball players struggle from time to time trying to grip their racquet. It is important to have the most help possible in tricky situations to pull off that spectacular shot or finish the rally. A racquet slipping out of your hands isn’t just embarrassing, it can also be devastating to your chances of winning a pivotal point. Most good rackets come with factory grips, but these grips wear down over time. The more often you play & the more intensely you play determines how long your racquetball racket lasts.
Racquetball Grip Categories
You can significantly improve your performance by choosing a good grip for your personal use. Racquetball grips can be categorized into two distinct categories based on their equipment style. Slip-ons are made of a single piece of rubber that can be slipped on to the handle. Wraps are wrapped around the handle in single or multiple layers and are usually made of synthetic leather. Since slip-ons usually come in different textures and thicknesses because they are single layered while wraps can be layered as much as you want. It is suggested that wraps be used by players that don’t use gloves since the rubber of the slip-ons may slip after your hands get sweaty.
Grips are usually very inexpensive compared to some of the other racquetball equipment or accessories.
Buying a grip is always a good investment, and here are some of my recommendations.
Racquetball Strings
Most racquetball racquets will come pre-strung with a set of strings. However, it is a good idea to always keep a set of spares at hand since you never know when your strings might get worn out & break. Besides, high quality strings can be put on basic racquets for significant performance enhancement. The better your string compatibility with your racquet, the sweeter your shots will feel with the smashing sound on each impact. Good racquet strings will go a long way in winning you more matches.
The main things to consider while choosing a set of strings are stringing tension, string gauge, elasticity and the dimensions of each string. The best string chosen with these factors taken into consideration will offer optimal comfort, power and control over their shots.
Types Of Racquetball Strings
The two most widely known variants of strings are multifilament and monofilament. In the past, most of the racket strings were made of nylon, but the current trend has shifted the production trend towards monofilament. Monofilament strings are usually made out of polyester, polyether or a compound made of these elements. Multifilament strings tend to be more stiff, and some players prefer more bounce on their strings; thereby shifting the trend towards monofilament strings. These strings are considered illegal or bad if they mark, deface or damage the integrity of the ball in any way.
Good strings can be found in the price range of about 10 to 20 dollars. Here are a few of my favorites within that price range:
Racquetball Sweatbands
Sweatbands are great accessories that are often overlooked by beginner players in any sport. But their value in maintaining a good body health and grip is unparalleled. Experienced players and coaches understand the importance of wristbands during playing physical sports, especially ones as demanding as racquetball. These small pieces of clothing protect you from wet, sweaty hands that may cause injury. They absorb sweat and give you a cool playing environment.
You will find yourself getting very warm while you play racquetball and a sweatband is the ideal quick fix to absorb the excess sweat. This can be done by wiping on your forehead with your wristbands or wearing a headband which will absorb the sweat before it has the chance to run down your forehead. This is to prevent sweat and other bodily fluids running into your eyes and harming your vision or by simply having a pair on to avoid getting wet palms.
Why You Should Wear Sweatbands
Sweat on your hands will affect the way that you hold your racquet thereby affecting your overall grip. Most sweatbands are ultra-soft, thus also adding a special comfort factor to your gameplay. The majority composite material of regular sweatbands is cotton. There are also alloys of spandex and Nylon added within the materials to ensure durability and comfort. All sweatbands are free size, thereby taking away the hassle of looking for a perfect size or shape. As an added plus, sweatbands also add an aesthetic factor to your game, making you more stylish while you’re at it.
Sweatbands are usually available at all price points. They usually don’t cost too much either and are definitely worth the price. Moderate to high quality sweatbands start at around $7 and go as high as $20.
Here are a few of our recommendations for the best wristbands & headbands on the market:
Equipment Essentials
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