Squash Racket Grips: Replacement vs Overgrip + How to Regrip

By the Central Tennis team — updated September 2026

The grip is the only part of your squash racket you actually touch, and it is the cheapest upgrade in the sport. A worn, shiny grip makes you squeeze harder, which tires your forearm and kills the soft touch you need for drops and boasts. Here is how to pick the right squash racket grip, how to fit it, and when to change it.

Replacement grip vs overgrip: what is the difference?

Every racket leaves the factory with a replacement grip (sometimes called a base grip) wrapped directly around the handle. It is thicker, usually PU or leather-effect with a foam or sponge backing, and it provides cushioning and the basic shape of the handle.

An overgrip goes on top. It is much thinner, much cheaper and is designed to be replaced frequently. Overgrips come in two main feels:

• Tacky — slightly sticky, for players who like to feel the racket held in place. See our tacky overgrips.
• Dry — a matt, absorbent surface for players whose hands sweat heavily on a warm court. See our dry overgrips.

Which is better? Neither — they do different jobs. Replace the base grip when the cushioning has flattened or it has started to tear; use an overgrip to keep the surface fresh week to week. Squash also has a long tradition of towelling grips, which absorb sweat superbly but compress and get grubby quickly.

How to choose a squash racket grip

Match the grip to your hands

If your hands stay fairly dry, a tacky overgrip gives the most connected feel. If you finish a match with a damp palm, choose a dry or high-absorption overgrip, or a towelling grip. Players who suffer from forearm or elbow discomfort often benefit from a cushioned replacement grip, because extra padding lets you hold the racket more loosely.

Think about thickness

Squash handles are slimmer than tennis handles and most rackets come in one size only, so grip layers are how you fine-tune the fit. Each overgrip adds roughly one millimetre to the circumference; two overgrips, or a thicker cushion base, adds more. If the racket twists in your hand on off-centre hits, build it up a little. If you feel you are strangling the handle, strip it back to a thin replacement grip with no overgrip.

Squash-specific or tennis grips?

Standard tennis and multi-sport grips fit squash handles perfectly well — you simply finish the wrap slightly earlier and trim the excess. The material matters far more than the label on the packet.

How to regrip a squash racket (5 minutes)

1. Remove the old layer. Unpeel the finishing tape at the top of the handle and unwind the old grip. For a replacement grip, pull off any stubborn adhesive residue.
2. Note the direction. Look at which way the old grip spiralled and copy it. If the overlapping edge digs into your palm, you need the opposite direction — right- and left-handers typically wrap opposite ways.
3. Start at the butt cap. Peel the backing, angle the tapered end against the butt so it sits flush, and begin wrapping with firm, even tension.
4. Overlap by about a third. Keep the overlap consistent all the way up. A bigger overlap gives a thicker handle; a smaller one gives a thinner handle.
5. Finish and trim. Stop where the handle meets the throat, cut the excess at an angle so it sits flat, and secure it with the finishing tape.

Overgrips go on the same way, straight over the base grip, with no need to remove anything. If you would rather we did it, book a racket re-grip in store and we will fit it for you.

How often should you change your squash grip?

• Overgrip: every 4 to 8 sessions for regular players, or immediately when it looks shiny, feels slippery or starts to split. Competitive players often change before every match.
• Replacement grip: every few months if you play weekly, or sooner if the cushioning has gone flat or it has torn — a worn base shows through any overgrip you put on top.
• Towelling grip: as soon as it compresses or discolours — typically faster than a synthetic overgrip.

A simple test: if you find yourself wiping your hand on your shorts between rallies, it is time.

What is the correct grip for squash? (Technique)

Whatever wrap you choose, hold the racket correctly. Most coaches teach a "shake hands" grip: the V between thumb and index finger sits on the top edge of the handle, pointing slightly towards the left for a right-hander, with the racket face a little open. Space the index finger slightly apart like a trigger, and hold with light pressure — about four out of ten. The same grip is used for forehand and backhand, so there is no need to change it mid-rally. A fresh, grippy surface is what lets you hold that lightly without the racket moving.

Our picks at Central Tennis

• Karakal X-Air Replacement Grip — £5.99: a ventilated, lightweight base grip from a squash-rooted brand. Four colours in stock; a great first upgrade from a tired factory grip.
• Wilson Cushion-Aire Classic Sponge Replacement Grip — £5.40: extra sponge cushioning for players who want a softer feel or have sore elbows.
• Yonex AC102EX Super Grap Overgrip (single, black) — £2.00: the classic tacky overgrip, used across every racket sport. Cheapest way to make an old racket feel new.
• Wilson Pro Overgrip 3-pack — £7.50: a thin, tacky overgrip with a soft feel; three wraps covers most of a month of club squash.
• Wilson AbsorbX Overgrips 3-pack — £8.00: built for sweaty hands and hot courts, prioritising absorption over tack.

Browse the full range of replacement grips, and if your racket itself is past saving, read our guide on how to choose your squash racket or shop squash rackets.

Squash grip FAQs

What is the best grip for a squash racket?

The best squash racket grip is the one that suits your hands: a tacky overgrip for dry hands, a dry or absorbent overgrip (or towelling) for sweaty hands, over a cushioned replacement grip if you want comfort.

Which is better, overgrip or replacement grip?

They are not alternatives. The replacement grip is the cushioned base; the overgrip is a thin, cheap layer on top that you change far more often. Most players use both.

How do you replace a squash grip?

Unwind the old grip, start the new one at the butt cap, wrap upwards overlapping by about a third with firm tension, trim the end at an angle and secure it with the finishing tape.

Can I use a tennis grip on a squash racket?

Yes. Tennis and multi-sport grips fit squash handles; you will simply have some length left over to trim.

How often should I change my squash overgrip?

Every 4 to 8 sessions for most club players, or as soon as it turns shiny or slippery.

Get a grip — literally

A fresh squash racket grip costs less than a tube of balls and changes how the racket feels more than almost anything else you can buy. Pick a base grip that suits your hands, keep an overgrip fresh, and hold the racket lightly. Shop overgrips and replacement grips at Central Tennis, or visit us in store and we will fit one for you.