SQAIRZ XRZ2™: Biomechanics, Pickleball and the Vision of Bob Winskowicz
The brand that revolutionized golf footwear arrives at pickleball with a technology that promises something simple but powerful: confidence in every step.
Windham, New Hampshire — It all started on a driving range. Bob Winskowicz, founder of SQAIRZ, was looking down at his square-toed dress shoes when he had a revelation that would permanently change the way he thought about athletic footwear.
At DINK Authority, these are the stories we love to tell — the ones about people who have the courage to build something, who do the work, who stay the course and take off. When we learned about SQAIRZ and the vision behind the brand, we reached out directly to its founder. Bob Winskowicz sat down with us for this interview, which we are proud to share in this edition.
"What surprised me was that most athletic shoes actually push the toes inward, which limits the foot's natural ability to function," explains Winskowicz. "When you give the foot room to spread naturally, it creates a stronger, more stable connection with the ground. Nobody was designing athletic footwear to take advantage of that." That insight became SQAIRZ — and in golf, the technology has already spoken for itself. Sepp Straka won the Honda Classic wearing them. Sir Nick Faldo never looked back. And just last month, Kris Reitan celebrated his first PGA Tour victory wearing SQAIRZ. Now it's pickleball's turn.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Man Behind the Brand
Bob Winskowicz is an executive with decades of experience in the golf industry. The pinnacle of his career before founding SQAIRZ was his role as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Arnold Palmer Golf Company, where he worked directly with the legend of golf discussing game improvement technologies, product design and testing.
Winskowicz recalls that Arnold Palmer always asked him the same question whenever he presented new products: "What's in it for the golfer? Don't give me all this marketing fluff. Tell me what's in it for the golfer."
That question stayed with Winskowicz. And when he founded SQAIRZ in 2019, it became the north star of everything the company would do — including its expansion into pickleball.
What's in the XRZ2™ for the pickleball player? Everything.
The Philosophy That Changes Everything
The problem SQAIRZ identified is simple but profound: traditional shoes squeeze the toes together, throw off your balance and disconnect you from the ground. SQAIRZ does the opposite — its patented toe box allows the toes to spread naturally, creating a more stable base and better connection to the ground with every step, movement or direction change.
In golf, that philosophy produced shoes that helped Sepp Straka win the Honda Classic and finish the year as the seventh-best golfer in the world. In baseball, it produced the GFP2™ — the official shoe of Diamond Allegiance. And in pickleball, it produced the XRZ2™.
The XRZ2™: Built for Real Pickleball
Modern pickleball is not the quiet sport many imagine. It is explosive, lateral, unpredictable and physically demanding. The XRZ2™ was designed specifically for that:
Patented roomier toe box — allows natural toe splay for improved balance and stability.
HexGuard™ reinforcement — in high-stress lateral zones, supports the most aggressive movements without compromising durability.
Arch anti-torsion support — controls over-rotation and protects against lateral injuries.
Sta-Put® lacing system — keeps the shoe perfectly fitted throughout the entire match.
Smart Traction outsole — multi-directional grip for confident movement in any direction.
Blumaka® Non-Slip Performance Footbed — reduces internal foot movement, enhancing cushioning and energy return.
Why Pickleball?
"I was fascinated by the sport's growth — but what really stood out to me was that almost every article about that growth also mentioned the rising number of injuries," says Winskowicz. "Balance, stability and postural control have always been at the core of what we do. Pickleball was a very natural next step."
A Bigger Vision
For SQAIRZ, pickleball is not a niche. It is a real opportunity.
"Pickleball has become part of people's lifestyles and communities — and the one thing that disrupts that is injury. Our technology helps players perform better and stay on the court longer. That extends far beyond a niche market."
And for anyone still not convinced that footwear makes a difference — Bob Winskowicz has an answer as direct as his product:
"Please simply give us a try. If it doesn't do everything we say, send it back within 30 days and we will give you a full refund."
At DINK Authority Magazine, we recently received our first samples of the XRZ2™ for on-court testing. In the coming weeks, our team of active players will put them through real conditions — lateral movements, extended rallies, long sessions — and we will bring a complete and honest review to our audience.
Because that is exactly what Arnold Palmer would have asked: what's in it for the player?
We will find out soon.
The Interview — Bob Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ
DA: Bob, how did the idea for SQAIRZ come about? What did you see that day on the driving range that nobody else had noticed before?
BW: I had been studying ground force and the importance of toe splay in biomechanics, balance and force production. What I found surprising was that most athletic shoes actually push the toes inward, which limits the foot's natural ability to function. Then one day on the driving range, I looked down at my square-toe dress shoes and had one of those "aha" moments. It became obvious to me that when you give the foot room to spread naturally, it creates a stronger, more stable connection with the ground. I realized that no one was designing athletic footwear to take advantage of that. That insight ultimately became the foundation for SQAIRZ.
DA: Your technology proved its value in golf with players like Sepp Straka and Sir Nick Faldo — and just last month, Kris Reitan celebrated his first PGA Tour victory wearing SQAIRZ. What made you decide that pickleball was the next sport where SQAIRZ needed to be?
BW: I was fascinated by the incredible growth of pickleball and started paying close attention to the sport. What stood out to me was that nearly every article discussing its growth also mentioned the rising number of injuries. That immediately resonated with me because balance, stability and proper postural control have always been at the core of what we do at SQAIRZ. As I watched the sport, it became clear that pickleball players need footwear that not only supports quick, explosive movements, but also helps keep them stable and balanced during those movements. I believed our technology was uniquely positioned to deliver both improved performance and injury prevention — making pickleball a very natural next step for SQAIRZ.
DA: The XRZ2™ focuses heavily on biomechanics and natural foot movement. In simple terms — what will a pickleball player feel the first time they step onto a court in these shoes that they haven't felt before?
BW: I believe the first thing players will feel is confidence. They'll immediately notice how stable and grounded they feel on the court, particularly when moving side-to-side or changing direction quickly. That stability, combined with the comfort of the shoe, gives players the freedom to move aggressively without hesitation. When athletes trust their footing, they play faster, react quicker, and simply enjoy the game more.
DA: Pickleball is growing at a speed few sports have seen. How does SQAIRZ see its place in that growth — is this a niche play or is there a bigger vision?
BW: We've always had a much bigger vision for pickleball because our technology solves two universal needs: helping players perform to their potential and helping them stay on the court. Pickleball has become part of people's lifestyles and communities, and the one thing that disrupts that is injury. As the sport continues to grow, many players are realizing that they need footwear specifically designed for the demands of the game. At SQAIRZ, our focus on balance, stability and ground connection gives players the confidence to move better and, ultimately, stay in the game longer. That's why we believe our opportunity in pickleball extends far beyond a niche market.
DA: What was the most challenging part of designing the XRZ2™ specifically for pickleball — that one technical detail that kept you up at night before you finally got it right?
BW: The biggest challenge was the overall structure of the shoe. Pickleball places tremendous stress on both the foot and the footwear because of the constant starts, stops and lateral movements. We spent a lot of time making sure the shoe delivered maximum stability without feeling restrictive. We ultimately developed features like our lateral hexagon support to reduce upper stretch during aggressive side-to-side movement, along with a lacing and anti-slip insole system that securely holds the foot in place. We also incorporated lateral outriggers and an anti-torsion heel-to-arch stabilizer to minimize twisting and help reduce rollover injuries. Getting all of those elements to work together while still delivering comfort was the challenge — but it was also what made the XRZ2™ unique.
DA: What would Bob Winskowicz say to a pickleball player who is still not convinced that footwear makes a real difference in their game?
BW: Please simply give us a try. If it doesn't do everything we say, send it back within 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
"See you on the courts."
The brand that revolutionized golf footwear arrives at pickleball with a technology that promises something simple but powerful: confidence in every step.
Windham, New Hampshire — It all started on a driving range. Bob Winskowicz, founder of SQAIRZ, was looking down at his square-toed dress shoes when he had a revelation that would permanently change the way he thought about athletic footwear.
At DINK Authority, these are the stories we love to tell — the ones about people who have the courage to build something, who do the work, who stay the course and take off. When we learned about SQAIRZ and the vision behind the brand, we reached out directly to its founder. Bob Winskowicz sat down with us for this interview, which we are proud to share in this edition.
"What surprised me was that most athletic shoes actually push the toes inward, which limits the foot's natural ability to function," explains Winskowicz. "When you give the foot room to spread naturally, it creates a stronger, more stable connection with the ground. Nobody was designing athletic footwear to take advantage of that." That insight became SQAIRZ — and in golf, the technology has already spoken for itself. Sepp Straka won the Honda Classic wearing them. Sir Nick Faldo never looked back. And just last month, Kris Reitan celebrated his first PGA Tour victory wearing SQAIRZ. Now it's pickleball's turn.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Man Behind the Brand
Bob Winskowicz is an executive with decades of experience in the golf industry. The pinnacle of his career before founding SQAIRZ was his role as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Arnold Palmer Golf Company, where he worked directly with the legend of golf discussing game improvement technologies, product design and testing.
Winskowicz recalls that Arnold Palmer always asked him the same question whenever he presented new products: "What's in it for the golfer? Don't give me all this marketing fluff. Tell me what's in it for the golfer."
That question stayed with Winskowicz. And when he founded SQAIRZ in 2019, it became the north star of everything the company would do — including its expansion into pickleball.
What's in the XRZ2™ for the pickleball player? Everything.
The Philosophy That Changes Everything
The problem SQAIRZ identified is simple but profound: traditional shoes squeeze the toes together, throw off your balance and disconnect you from the ground. SQAIRZ does the opposite — its patented toe box allows the toes to spread naturally, creating a more stable base and better connection to the ground with every step, movement or direction change.
In golf, that philosophy produced shoes that helped Sepp Straka win the Honda Classic and finish the year as the seventh-best golfer in the world. In baseball, it produced the GFP2™ — the official shoe of Diamond Allegiance. And in pickleball, it produced the XRZ2™.
The XRZ2™: Built for Real Pickleball
Modern pickleball is not the quiet sport many imagine. It is explosive, lateral, unpredictable and physically demanding. The XRZ2™ was designed specifically for that:
Patented roomier toe box — allows natural toe splay for improved balance and stability.
HexGuard™ reinforcement — in high-stress lateral zones, supports the most aggressive movements without compromising durability.
Arch anti-torsion support — controls over-rotation and protects against lateral injuries.
Sta-Put® lacing system — keeps the shoe perfectly fitted throughout the entire match.
Smart Traction outsole — multi-directional grip for confident movement in any direction.
Blumaka® Non-Slip Performance Footbed — reduces internal foot movement, enhancing cushioning and energy return.
Why Pickleball?
"I was fascinated by the sport's growth — but what really stood out to me was that almost every article about that growth also mentioned the rising number of injuries," says Winskowicz. "Balance, stability and postural control have always been at the core of what we do. Pickleball was a very natural next step."
A Bigger Vision
For SQAIRZ, pickleball is not a niche. It is a real opportunity.
"Pickleball has become part of people's lifestyles and communities — and the one thing that disrupts that is injury. Our technology helps players perform better and stay on the court longer. That extends far beyond a niche market."
And for anyone still not convinced that footwear makes a difference — Bob Winskowicz has an answer as direct as his product:
"Please simply give us a try. If it doesn't do everything we say, send it back within 30 days and we will give you a full refund."
At DINK Authority Magazine, we recently received our first samples of the XRZ2™ for on-court testing. In the coming weeks, our team of active players will put them through real conditions — lateral movements, extended rallies, long sessions — and we will bring a complete and honest review to our audience.
Because that is exactly what Arnold Palmer would have asked: what's in it for the player?
We will find out soon.
The Interview — Bob Winskowicz, Founder of SQAIRZ
DA: Bob, how did the idea for SQAIRZ come about? What did you see that day on the driving range that nobody else had noticed before?
BW: I had been studying ground force and the importance of toe splay in biomechanics, balance and force production. What I found surprising was that most athletic shoes actually push the toes inward, which limits the foot's natural ability to function. Then one day on the driving range, I looked down at my square-toe dress shoes and had one of those "aha" moments. It became obvious to me that when you give the foot room to spread naturally, it creates a stronger, more stable connection with the ground. I realized that no one was designing athletic footwear to take advantage of that. That insight ultimately became the foundation for SQAIRZ.
DA: Your technology proved its value in golf with players like Sepp Straka and Sir Nick Faldo — and just last month, Kris Reitan celebrated his first PGA Tour victory wearing SQAIRZ. What made you decide that pickleball was the next sport where SQAIRZ needed to be?
BW: I was fascinated by the incredible growth of pickleball and started paying close attention to the sport. What stood out to me was that nearly every article discussing its growth also mentioned the rising number of injuries. That immediately resonated with me because balance, stability and proper postural control have always been at the core of what we do at SQAIRZ. As I watched the sport, it became clear that pickleball players need footwear that not only supports quick, explosive movements, but also helps keep them stable and balanced during those movements. I believed our technology was uniquely positioned to deliver both improved performance and injury prevention — making pickleball a very natural next step for SQAIRZ.
DA: The XRZ2™ focuses heavily on biomechanics and natural foot movement. In simple terms — what will a pickleball player feel the first time they step onto a court in these shoes that they haven't felt before?
BW: I believe the first thing players will feel is confidence. They'll immediately notice how stable and grounded they feel on the court, particularly when moving side-to-side or changing direction quickly. That stability, combined with the comfort of the shoe, gives players the freedom to move aggressively without hesitation. When athletes trust their footing, they play faster, react quicker, and simply enjoy the game more.
DA: Pickleball is growing at a speed few sports have seen. How does SQAIRZ see its place in that growth — is this a niche play or is there a bigger vision?
BW: We've always had a much bigger vision for pickleball because our technology solves two universal needs: helping players perform to their potential and helping them stay on the court. Pickleball has become part of people's lifestyles and communities, and the one thing that disrupts that is injury. As the sport continues to grow, many players are realizing that they need footwear specifically designed for the demands of the game. At SQAIRZ, our focus on balance, stability and ground connection gives players the confidence to move better and, ultimately, stay in the game longer. That's why we believe our opportunity in pickleball extends far beyond a niche market.
DA: What was the most challenging part of designing the XRZ2™ specifically for pickleball — that one technical detail that kept you up at night before you finally got it right?
BW: The biggest challenge was the overall structure of the shoe. Pickleball places tremendous stress on both the foot and the footwear because of the constant starts, stops and lateral movements. We spent a lot of time making sure the shoe delivered maximum stability without feeling restrictive. We ultimately developed features like our lateral hexagon support to reduce upper stretch during aggressive side-to-side movement, along with a lacing and anti-slip insole system that securely holds the foot in place. We also incorporated lateral outriggers and an anti-torsion heel-to-arch stabilizer to minimize twisting and help reduce rollover injuries. Getting all of those elements to work together while still delivering comfort was the challenge — but it was also what made the XRZ2™ unique.
DA: What would Bob Winskowicz say to a pickleball player who is still not convinced that footwear makes a real difference in their game?
BW: Please simply give us a try. If it doesn't do everything we say, send it back within 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
"See you on the courts."
