FAQ Friday: What Should I Keep in My Squash Bag?
FAQ Friday: What Should I Keep in My Squash Bag?
Your squash bag is more than just somewhere to chuck a racket and a sweaty t-shirt.
It’s your mobile squash HQ.
Your safety net.
Your “thank goodness I packed that” moment waiting to happen.
Whether you’re heading down for a casual hit, a league match, junior coaching, or a full-on tournament weekend, what you keep in your squash bag can be the difference between feeling calm and prepared… or stressed and scrambling five minutes before match time.
So let’s break it down — what actually deserves a permanent place in your squash bag?
🎾 The Non-Negotiables (The Stuff You Literally Can’t Play Without)
These are the bare essentials. Forget one of these and your session is already compromised.
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Squash rackets
Always carry at least two. Strings snap. Frames crack. Squash has a cruel sense of timing. -
Squash balls
Bring more than one, and make sure you’ve got the right type for your level. A fresh ball for matches is always a good idea. -
Indoor court shoes
Non-marking, supportive, and broken in. Never assume you’ll “just borrow a pair”. -
Protective eyewear
Essential for juniors and strongly recommended for everyone. Eyes heal slower than muscles.
👕 Clothing & Comfort (Because Nobody Plays Well Feeling Miserable)
Squash is brutal. You will sweat. Prepare accordingly.
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Spare shirts and socks
Especially important if you’re playing multiple matches or coaching in between. -
Shorts / skirt / leggings
Always pack at least one spare set. -
Towel
For courtside sweat, post-match recovery, or emergency floor wipes. -
Warm-up layer or hoodie
Ideal between matches or when cooling down too quickly.
💦 Hydration & Fuel (The Silent Performance Boosters)
Under-fuelled squash feels like playing with the handbrake on.
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Water bottle
Refillable and always topped up. -
Sports drink or electrolytes
Particularly useful for long sessions or tournament days. -
Quick snacks
Bananas, bars, gels, or anything you know sits well with your stomach.
🩹 Care, Recovery & “Just in Case” Items
These don’t get used every session — but when you need them, you really need them.
- Plasters / blister pads
- Hand sanitiser / wet wipes
- Spare grips
- Spare laces
- Muscle rub, spray, or tape (if you use it)
- Basic pain relief (where appropriate)
This is the section that turns a bad day into a manageable one.
✍️ The Nice-to-Haves (Small Things, Big Difference)
Not essential — but seasoned players swear by them.
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Notebook & pen
Match notes, coaching feedback, or things you don’t want to forget mid-tournament. -
Headphones
For focus, recovery, or blocking out the noise before a match. -
Plastic bag
For sweaty clothes so they don’t contaminate everything else you own.
🧳 Tournament-Specific Extras
If you’re packing for a full day or weekend of squash, your bag setup needs levelling up.
For a deeper tournament checklist — including clothing rotation, nutrition planning, and long-day survival tips — check out:
👉 A Parent’s Guide: What to Bring to a Squash Tournament
https://oliversquash.co.uk/a-parents-guide-what-to-bring-to-a-squash-tournament/
(It’s useful for juniors, parents and adult players.)
🧠 Pro Packing Tip
Don’t just throw everything in and hope for the best.
Organise your bag by zones:
- Rackets & balls together
- Shoes separated
- Clean clothes kept away from used kit
- Snacks and drinks easy to grab
- Recovery items in a small pouch
Future-you will be very grateful.
Final Thought
A well-packed squash bag doesn’t make you a better player — but it removes distractions, reduces stress, and lets you focus on what actually matters when you step on court.
The goal isn’t to pack everything.
It’s to pack everything you might realistically need.
And once you’ve got your bag dialled in, squash becomes simpler, calmer… and a lot more enjoyable.
Want More Squash Guides Like This?
Explore our full blog library — covering rackets, juniors, parents, performance, mindset, and match prep:
👉 https://oliversquash.co.uk/blog/