When it comes to volleyball shoes, few colors are as versatile as black.
Black kicks go perfectly with almost any team uniform and require cleaning far less often than white volleyball shoes.
In this article we’ll briefly run through 5 of the best volleyball shoes currently available in the black colorway.
For more information on what things to look for when shopping for volleyball shoes, be sure to check out my detailed roundup of the best volleyball shoes of 2024.
Let’s begin!
When it comes to volleyball shoes, it simply does not get any better than the Sky Elite FFs. They perform exceptionally well across the board and thankfully are available in the black colorways.
Best Overall Black Volleyball Shoes
If you’re a fan of volleyball shoes with that super sticky feeling traction, you’re in luck. The Sky Elite FFs are widely regarded as having some of the best grip an outsole has ever seen!
This makes them ideal for passing, digging, as well as setting where quick lateral movements are required.
What makes these shoes better than other volleyball shoes is the cushioning setup. The Flytefoam midsole provides incredible impact protection which is vital for protecting your joints over time.
They also have a good bit of extra bounce in them which makes them feel incredible to jump in.
Worth mentioning is, because the midsole is packed with cushioning tech, these shoes stand quite high up off the ground. If you’re a libero, setter, or outside who prefers a lower to the ground shoe, these might not be for you.
Suitable for wide feet, the Sky Elite FFs are available in the black colorway with white and gold trim in either a low top or mid top design.
Ideal For
- All volleyball players. This is one of the few shoes suitable for every type of volleyballer.
Not Ideal For
- Anyone who likes to feel low to the ground. When passing, some athletes prefer being lower to the court to give them that more connected feel. These are definitely not going to offer that experience!
The Crazyflight shoes by Adidas are well known for their high responsiveness and exceptional traction on court. It’s also one of the better shoes in terms of ankle stability making it a really safe option for those concerned about ankle injuries.
2nd Best Black Volleyball Shoes
The major thing that stands out with the Adidas Crazyflight shoe line is the lateral support.
With a wide rear outrigger, the Crazyflights provide exceptional stability and containment, making them one of the most secure and safe feeling shoes money can buy.
This makes them great for hitters who are doing a lot of jumping and landing around the net.
I’ve blown countless ankles landing on other peoples’ feet while blocking, and a shoe like this makes these sorts of injuries far less common.
The really nice cushioning setup makes these surprisingly good in terms of impact protection – usually such lightweight shoes underperform in this area, but not the Crazyflights!
With outstanding grip and responsiveness, the Crazyflight is one of the best all-round volleyball shoes of 2024.
And they come in black!
Ideal For
- Safety conscious players. Anyone concerned about preventing ankle injuries will like this shoe.
Not Ideal For
- Anyone looking for a super smooth jumping experience. The outsole is fairly flat and the heel toe transition isn’t quite as fluid as we’d like for jumping.
The Gel-Rocket 10s are the latest in a long line of a hyper versatile low top volleyball shoes with sensational court feel and responsiveness.
Also Great Black Volleyball Shoes
Although technically the Gel-Rocket line is a ‘court shoe’ originally designed for sports like handball, badminton, and squash, people have been using them for volleyball since time immemorial.
For anyone who enjoys that really low to the ground feel, exceptional responsiveness, and court traction, these are a great option.
I think they’re best suited to setters and liberos who require that ability to move laterally with extreme speed and precision.
A word of caution, however… The cushioning system in these shoes is fairly rudimentary as they weren’t originally designed to be jumped in as much as volleyballers do.
For hitters, I’d probably avoid this shoe and pick an option with a little better shock absorption like the Sky Elite or Crazyflight.
The Gel-Rockets are phenomenal outdoors, so if you’re playing on concrete a lot or even need a pair of shoes for grass volleyball, the Gel-Rocket 10s are the best indoor shoe for both of these purposes.
Part of the reason they’re good for outdoors use is because they’re extremely affordable and could easily have qualified as the best budget shoe on this list!
They come in a couple of different black colorways, so if you’re not a fan of the neon trim, there’s a more low key version available too.
Ideal For
- Setters and liberos. With a nice thin midsole, these provide a very ‘connected to the court’ feel.
- Outdoor or grass volleyball. As far as indoor shoes go, the traction pattern and durability on these makes them ideal for outdoor volleyball.
- Anyone balling on a budget. These are a very affordable shoe.
Not Ideal For
- Anyone doing a lot of jumping. With not so great cushioning, these aren’t the best for players jumping frequently.
One of the better options for entry level players who don’t want to fork out a ton of money on volleyball shoes is the Ligra 7. Known for its exceptionally comfortable feel, the Ligra is a very reliable shoe for beginners.
Best Budget Black Volleyball Shoes
Coming in at under $60, the Ligra is one of the highest value for money volleyball shoes you can get!
Known for being really ridiculously comfortable, the Ligra range are my go-to recommendation for entry level players or anyone who wants something suitable to play volleyball in, but doesn’t want to spend a lot of money.
The neutral black colorway gives these a super classic looking vibe, turning these court shoes into an ultra versatile general purpose sneaker you can wear virtually anywhere.
For anyone who feels uneasy about buying shoes specifically for volleyball, the Ligra can be worn for all outdoor activities and even for things like going to the cinema with your friends!
Comfort, versatility, and style. What more do you need!
Ideal For
- Entry level/beginner/casual volleyballers. If you’re new to the sport and comfort is a priority, the Ligras are a great option.
Not Ideal For
- Advanced players. It’s unclear exactly how long these will last if you’re playing frequently.
Best Black Mizuno Volleyball Shoes
The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 was one of the better shoe upgrades we’ve seen in the volleyball world.
The new and revamped Enerzy cushioning system was seen by many as a massive improvement, making the Momentum 2 a super bouncy shoe which feels incredible to jump in.
As one of the lightest volleyball shoes on the market, quick lateral movements are a breeze making these an exceptional choice for setters and liberos.
Unfortunately the downside of the Enerzy foam midsole is the lack of shock absorption.
If you’re doing a lot of jumping, these are not going to do an exceptional job of taking care of your joints as they land quite hard.
It’s not a deal-breaker necessarily but for athletes prioritizing impact protection, the Momentum 1 is actually significantly better.
Ideal For
- Virtually all positions. Aside from maybe middle blockers and perhaps opposites, who are doing a lot of jumping, this shoe is an amazing choice for all volleyballers.
Not Ideal For
- Impact protection. While the cushion makes the shoe bouncier and more responsive, it really falls over in the shock absorption department.
Final Verdict?
Personally I find it very difficult to go past the Asics Sky Elite FFs under any circumstances – they’re simply the greatest volleyball shoe I’ve ever worn!
If I couldn’t choose that shoe, I’d suggest the Gel-Rocket 10s to any setter or libero as they’re super responsive and really affordable.
For opposites and middles, the Adidas Crazyflight is a really great option since they offer more support and stability while still having a good amount of bounce.
For beginners and causal players, the Adidas Ligra 7 is a great, budget option.
