For anyone still wondering, yes, you can wear basketball shoes for volleyball…
In fact basketball shoes are quickly becoming extremely popular, showing up on a large number of volleyball courts around the world.
The reason is because a number of these shoes actually perform better than volleyball shoes for certain positions on the court.
There’s also a much bigger selection of shoes that look way cooler too!
I’ve personally worn basketball shoes on the volleyball court for a number of years now and know exactly what to look for.
For those of you who want more information on how I selected these shoes, I’ll explain in further detail at the end of the article.
But for now, let’s get into my list of the best basketball shoes for volleyball in 2023!
The Dame 7s are well known for their lightweight feel and extra bounce they give when jumping. Having personally worn these for volleyball, I can attest to their effectiveness.
They’re also significantly more affordable than any other shoe on this list!
Best Value Basketball Shoe For Volleyball
I’ve been personally testing these shoes for the last few months and can pretty happily say I’m extremely pleased with the overall experience.
These kicks are well known for their exceptional cushioning system, which makes them incredibly comfortable.
In volleyball that translates to impact protection which is one of the most important things for anyone doing a lot of jumping.
The Litestrike cushion makes them feel incredible to jump in.
The other great thing about the Dame 7s is that they’re insanely cheap! You should be able to find a pair for under $100.
This shoe, if it didn’t win my overall best basketball shoe, would have easily won best budget basketball shoe for volleyball.
They’re great for wide feet and are a unisex shoe coming in a variety of colorways, making them great for all volleyball hitters.
Recommended Use
The Dame 7s are a great option particularly for middle blockers and opposites or really any hitter who doesn’t want to spend a ton of money on volleyball shoes!
The Good
Great shock absorption and very responsive cushion.
Mid top design offers great ankle support.
You won’t find a better basketball shoe for volleyball under $100!
The Bad
Slightly bulky and boot-like, perhaps not a great fit for setters and liberos.
Best Basketball Shoes For Volleyball – Runner up
Heralded as one of the greatest basketball shoes of all time, the Nike KD14 functions exceptionally well as a volleyball shoe for front court players.
This is my sister’s absolute favorite volleyball shoe of all time and she’s been wearing her current pair for over 3 years!
The traction/grip is one of the biggest stand outs for this shoe, making it an awesome option for outside hitters, opposites, middles, and setters.
As far as cushioning goes, the KD14 is a massive improvement upon the Dame 7s – you can really tell the difference between a budget shoe and a high performer like the KD14 from its midsole tech stack.
One little pet peeve of mine is the strap… It can make the shoe difficult to lace up, but it’s not a big issue.
Some people actually think it’s great because it improves lockdown support through the midfoot.
The KD14 is also a unisex shoe available in a variety of colorways and is suitable for wide feet.
Recommended Use
The KD14 is a fantastic volleyball shoe for virtually all positions. I probably wouldn’t recommend these for liberos but any other position on court will love this shoe.
The Good
Incredible cushioning system makes them ideal for middle blockers and opposite hitters.
Superior traction and responsiveness to comparable shoes.
This is my sister’s (who is our head product tester and national level setter) favorite volleyball shoe of all time!
The Bad
Velcro strap can get a little annoying when lacing up.
Definitely on the more expensive side.
Best Budget Basketball Shoe For Volleyball
Finally we have a shoe for the liberos who have been neglected thus far on my list.
This shoe is far lighter than all of the other shoes in this article, making it highly responsive and perfect for both liberos and setters who may need to sprint after volleyballs from time to time.
The cushioning is quite rudimentary but this is fine as back court players don’t do a lot of jumping and don’t have as much need for shock absorption.
These usually sell for around $80-$100, so they’re great for back court specialists who want to save a few bucks.
Recommended Use
For both liberos and setters on a budget, it’s difficult to go past the Immortalities!
The Good
Extremely affordable retailing at around the $100 mark.
Low-to-the-ground feel is ideal for back court players.
Super responsive and lightweight. These shoes make you feel extremely connected to the court.
The Bad
Pretty average cushioning system, so not ideal for anyone doing a large amount of spiking.
Note: These shoes retail primarily via Amazon, as they’re no longer selling through the official Nike USA website. You should be able to find other local retailers near you with a simple Google search.
Best Basketball Shoe For Volleyball Hitters
Like the KD14s, the Lebron 18s have one of the most advanced cushioning systems in the industry, making these perfect for both middle blockers and opposites who need that extra impact protection.
They don’t have the greatest lateral stability, so not ideal for outside hitters who do a fair bit more passing and digging than middles and opposites.
With an air max cushion unit in the midsole, this is the ultimate option for opposite hitters who are primarily concerned with jumping high when spiking and blocking.
The Lebron 18s are made from premium materials and are highly durable, but only if playing indoors. The tread on the outsole won’t last long outdoors.
But you’ll definitely get more than just a couple seasons out of them if you play on indoor courts and take good care of them.
Also check out my full article on the best volleyball shoes for hitters.
Recommended Use
For spikers looking for maximum bounce, the Lebron 18s are some of the best wheels you can get!
The Good
Most ridiculously bouncy shoes to jump in, awesome for spiking and blocking!
Fantastic shock absorption and ankle support.
The Bad
Lateral movements aren’t the best because of the really thick heel, so not the best option for liberos and probably setters also.
This is one of the most expensive shoes on this list!
Another Great Basketball Shoe For Volleyball Spikers
I’ve been testing out the Dame 8s over the past few months and they’ve quickly become my favorite shoes to wear for almost every purpose…
The excessive internal padding combined with the protruding internal heel counter make this the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn.
They honestly feel very different to the Dame 7s: the Dame 8s have a much softer and bouncier cushion in them and are an absolute delight to jump and land in.
I feel super secure wearing these on court and highly recommend them for any spiker: outside, opposite, or middle blocker!
Recommended Use
This shoe is the perfect option for anyone after better cushioning than the Dame 7s that doesn’t want to spend hundreds on the Lebron 18s!
The Good
Extremely secure and supportive fit.
The cushioning setup feels like you’re walking on pillows!
Adequate ankle support is ideal for spikers jumping and landing around the net.
Still very affordable compared to alternatives.
The Bad
After wearing these for a while, I still can’t think of anything I don’t like about them!
Best Basketball Shoes For Liberos & Setters
The Li-Ning All City line has produced some of the coolest looking basketball shoes of all time.
I believe these particular shoes also have perfect design characteristics for outside hitters and setters.
They feel pretty low to the ground and are extremely responsive with amazing traction – making life really easy for outsides when passing the volleyball.
They’ve also got a good amount of bounce and solid lateral support, making them more than good enough for jumping in around the net.
I think these shoes really shine for liberos and setters who want a low-to-the-ground feeling shoe with excellent responsiveness.
Both the All City 9 and 10s are excellent – they come in a range of awesome colors and are great for wide feet!
Recommended Use
Great, premium option for back court players (as well as outsides) who didn’t like the look of the Immortalities.
The Good
Cushioning setup is on the better side: bounce and impact protection is on point.
Great choice for anyone who prefers a lower to the ground shoe.
Great responsiveness allowing for lots of quick lateral movements (important in the back court).
The Bad
Could definitely be a little cheaper…
Note: Li-Ning’s official store is on Amazon, however you can find other retailers with a simple Google search. Stock and colorways may be extremely limited outside of the Amazon store.
Final Verdict?
For those of you not looking to spend too much money, the Giannis Immortality (for setters and liberos) or the Dame 7s (for attackers) are going to be your best options.
For the middle blockers who want maximum spring and support, go for the Dame 8s or Lebron 18s.
For opposite hitters in the same boat, I’d pick any of the above or the KD14s.
And for outside hitters and setters, I’d also seriously consider the Li-Ning All City 9s or 10s.
If you’re still not sure, be sure to check out my other volleyball shoe roundup articles for more ideas, or read on to see why I chose these particular shoes.
What To Look For When Picking A Basketball Shoe For Volleyball
The most important thing when shopping for basketball shoes as a volleyballer is to be super aware of what movements you perform on court.
A middle blocker performs a very different set of movements to a libero or setter.
As such, their shoes should reflect this.
Be Aware Of Positional Differences
Middle blockers and opposites don’t do anywhere near as much defending or passing as outside hitters or liberos, so their shoes don’t need to be quite as responsive and lightweight.
But they’re spending most of their time on court blocking and spiking, which means they need additional impact protection, cushioning, and lateral support.
Setters are a good mix of both and therefore can pick from a wider range of shoes.
In the past I’ve written extensively on exactly what the important aspects of volleyball shoes are, so click here to find out more.
