If you’re searching for your next pair of shoes (or looking for your first ever pair), keep reading! You’ve come to the right place.
As a former international-level indoor volleyball player, I have personally tested more volleyball shoes than I can count over the years.
I, as well as Volleyball Vault’s head product tester Caity Meale, are currently in the process of conducting detailed testing and performance reviews of each product listed in this article.
We’ve tried dozens of shoes, and narrowed it down to the top 10, each with a specific attribute that makes it the best in its category.
10 Best Volleyball Shoes – At A Glance
Best Overall
Great traction and cushioning, all while providing ankle stability.
Most Popular
Flexible, durable, and comfortable, making them a great choice for most positions.
Best For Ankle Support
Mostly popular because of its ankle protection, while a lot of popularity has to be credited to its comfort!
Best For Basketball
Basketball shoes tend to perform exceptionally well for volleyball on outdoor courts and there’s no better option than the Adidas Dame 7.
Budget Frontcourt
Smooth – that’s the one word I’d use to describe the Gel-Rocket 10 shoe. The GEL technology used in this shoe does wonders for jumping.
Budget Backcourt
This basketball shoes are often worn for volleyball too. The support and cushioning they offer are just some of the reasons why.
Most Comfortable
Ultra lightweight, springier than ever, and simply a joy to play in for all types of volleyball positions.
Premium Shoes
They stick to the floor like glue, have a super fluid heel-toe transition, strong support, and excellent shock absorption.
Also Great
This Shoes for setters, liberos, and outside hitters because of its great lightweight feel, strong traction, and decent cushioning. Plus they look incredible!
I suggest skimming through the descriptions of each shoe below and picking the one which best suits your individual needs as a volleyballer.
If you’re having a tough time deciding, at the end of the article I’ve included a list of the most important things to look for.
So without further ado, let’s begin!
A great choice for any experienced volleyball player. The Netburner Ballistic has great traction and cushioning, all while providing ankle stability. Wearing these on the court will have you feeling (and looking!) like a great volleyball player.
Best Overall Volleyball Shoes
Asics is one of the top volleyball shoe producers in the world, and for good reason. They have released shoe after shoe with each model being designed with top-of-the-line specs. The Netburner Ballistic is no exception.
There are three key elements that make this shoe an excellent choice for any volleyball player.
First, the stability.
If you’re like me and have a hard time changing direction without your ankles caving in, the crafted design of this shoe is perfect for you.
Asics’ TWISTRUSS technology helps to absorb the torsion in your feet as you change direction.
In plain language: your ankles don’t cave in, and you can change direction without losing power.
This is especially important if you have high arches or flat feet, which can make it harder for you to quickly change direction without your ankles rolling to one side or the other.
Second, the traction.
Asics’ X Guidance design is incorporated into the Netburner Ballistic. If you take a look at the sole, you’ll see that it forms an X, helping you stick to the ground.
This is crucial in volleyball, where you are constantly shuffling and changing direction to react to the ball.
Imagine trying to run after a ball with no grip; I can tell you from personal experience, it does not make you look good!
Finally, the cushioning.
By including FlyteFoam, a high-density foam made from so-called super fibers, the Netburner Ballistic offers excellent comfort as well as great bounce in the shoe.
There is, however, one drawback: the width of the shoe. There are hundreds of reports with people saying it was too narrow and they had to opt for a different shoe.
If you have wide feet, it won’t be a good fit, and I’d suggest going for something else.
This is a great shoe for people with bad ankles.
Recommended Use
I would recommend this shoe for any position on the court, as there are no obvious drawbacks that would make it a bad fit in any position.
It’s a great shoe overall, but be careful if you’re wide-footed, as the shoe is narrow towards the toes.
The Good
A very stable shoe that allows you to change direction while protecting your ankles.
The X Guidance system keeps you glued to the court.
Great cushioning thanks to the FlyteFoam system.
The Bad
These shoes are a bit narrow and not a good option for wide-footed athletes.
Not only are these some of the best volleyball shoes from Adidas -- they're some of the best volleyball shoes on the market today. With the BOOST technology allowing players to jump higher and their excellent durability, this is a great pick for spikers.
Best Overall Volleyball Shoes – Runner Up
The Adidas CrazyFlights come in at a close second in the rankings, thanks to their durability and specific design that allows players to jump higher.
With a midsole made from Adidas’ own BOOST technology, these shoes absorb more force and actually propel players higher into the air. This is especially important for hitters.
Obviously, wearing this shoe compared to a generic shoe isn’t going to make a massive difference, but when you’re attacking, every inch that you can get above the net is important!
Like most Adidas products, the CrazyFlights are a very durable shoe. It uses a synthetic sole and a Top Grip rubber outsole, ensuring it lasts a long time.
The top part of the shoe is a lightweight stretch mesh with adjustable lacing, making the shoe very breathable.
A shoe’s comfort level isn’t something you’re thinking about during a game until there’s a problem. Adidas have designed a shoe that ensures a lack of comfort isn’t a concern while you’re trying to play at your best!
While they’re aren’t any specific drawbacks, they perhaps weren’t specifically designed for volleyball, which is why you might experience some heel slipping. To be fair, this is an issue that really depends on the court you’re playing on, so the CrazyFlights might not be to blame for this issue.
Recommended Use
This shoe is a great pick for spikers looking to get that extra height on their jumps.
The Good
BOOST technology makes jumping easy.
Very lightweight and breathable – you won’t even feel them.
Synthetic sole and Top Grip outsole make this shoe long-lasting (and a smart investment).
The Bad
Some heel slipping, albeit rarely.
The Upcourt 5 are some of the most popular volleyball shoes, and they’re often used for other sports, such as squash. These shoes are flexible, durable, and comfortable, making them a great choice for most positions. This is also the perfect choice if you are looking for your first volleyball shoe!
Best First Volleyball Shoes
There’s a good reason behind the popularity of these shoes. Asics has come through with a great design once again, offering comfort and stability, all for a relatively low price point!
Most volleyball shoes will prioritize one feature over another. For example, some shoes may focus more on the cushioning, but at the cost of making the shoe more stable. The Asics Upcourt 5 incorporates all the important features that you want in a volleyball shoe to some degree.
Coupled with this shoe’s low price point, this makes it a great option if you’re looking for your first volleyball shoe!
The first thing you’ll notice about these shoes is that they’re very flexible.
You can easily bend them in your hands, twisting them completely, and they’ll return to their original shape.
The Upcourt 5 isn’t as nearly as bulky as some other Asics models, making them noticeably lighter and more comfortable to wear.
This doesn’t take anything away from their durability, as they use reinforced double panels at the toes and at the heel, ensuring that they serve you for a long time.
To ensure that these feel comfortable on your feet when you’re playing, they use mesh paneling that allows the shoes to breathe.
They’ve also included a sturdy midfoot panel that supports your foot as you’re changing direction, which is important when you’re reacting to the other team’s plays!
Design isn’t a make-or-break sale point, but I must admit that Asics really did their best with the design, letting you choose from many different color variations.
One concern is the amount of ankle protection that this shoe offers. Although they seem stable, they were built for flexibility, and they don’t offer any additional protection for the ankles.
If you have a history of ankle injuries and you’re worried these shoes won’t offer enough protection, a pair of ankle braces will fit into these shoes without taking away from the comfort.
Recommended Use
A good all-around shoe that can be worn by any position on the court. I maybe wouldn’t recommend them for hitters because they’re more focused on comfort and flexibility rather than jumping, but they’re still a great fit for anyone wanting to up their game!
The Good
Very flexible – these shoes aren’t bulky and you can bend them in many different ways without destroying them.
The lightweight design makes them easy on your feet and comfortable to wear.
Upcourt 5 shoes are durable – they use double paneling on the heel and toes.
Design variety – you can choose from many different designs!
The Bad
Not as much ankle support as some other shoes, which could be a reason to look elsewhere if you’re playing at a very competitive level.
The Wave Lightning Z6 is another model from the Wave Lightning line. These have been made incredibly popular thanks to their excellent ankle support, but also their comfort and stability.
Best for Ankle Support
The Z6 shoes are comfortable and lightweight, but still sturdy enough to protect your ankles.
There are also plenty of options when it comes to design – you can choose from tons of different colors, with both high and low shoes depending on your preference.
Starting off with comfort – that’s the first thing you’ll notice when you put them on.
They’re very easy to walk and run in, and they require very little breaking in.
Since they’re so lightweight, you won’t feel them on your feet. This is thanks to Mizuno’s AIRmesh technology in the upper part of the shoe, allowing it to be light and breathable.
The cushioning and stability of these shoes keeps your ankles snug in the heel of the shoe, and this is the Wave technology we saw in all Wave Lightning shoes.
The grip of the sole also allows you to change direction quickly without sacrificing speed.
Truth be told, these shoes are on the bulkier side, but that doesn’t affect their comfort or weight, only providing more stability. I’m pointing it out, however, because some people prefer lighter shoes.
Recommended Use
Anyone who wants additional ankle protection when they’re on the court. They can be worn by any player, but they’re especially popular with liberos.
The Good
Comfortable and lightweight – almost no breaking in necessary.
They provide plenty of stability for the ankles, ensuring you don’t twist them while you’re on the court.
Reasonably flexible for their size.
You can choose from a host of different designs.
The Bad
They’re bulky – this doesn’t affect how the shoes feel on your feet, but changes how they look.
These narrow shoes are a bad fit for anyone with wide feet – I wouldn’t recommend them in that case.
Basketball shoes tend to perform exceptionally well for volleyball on outdoor courts and there’s no better option than the Adidas Dame 7.
Best Basketball Shoes
Just because a pair of shoes weren’t designed for volleyball doesn’t mean that they can’t be worn on the volleyball court.
Basketball has plenty of shared skills with volleyball: running, jumping, changing direction. It’s not hard to see why so many players (myself included!) love playing volleyball in basketball shoes.
With that in mind, the Dame 7s are my personal favorite volleyball shoe… err basketball shoe… for volleyball.
I’m a middle blocker/opposite who plays a lot and does a lot of jumping. For me, shock absorption is key as I want to protect my knee joints from overuse injuries like jumper’s knee.
The Dame 7s are widely regarded as having the best budget midsole of any basketball shoe – meaning you get the most shock absorption for your buck!
So far as impact protection goes, they’re the best shoe on this list.
They also have great durability and bite on outdoor courts. Obviously, playing outside is going to put way more wear-and-tear on your shoes, so this is an important factor if you’re playing outdoor volleyball.
Picking these shoes up might give you the impression that they’re too heavy, but as soon as you have them on your feet, they feel light and springy. Exactly what you want in a volleyball shoe!
One drawback is that the heel is very high up off the ground, making them a poor choice for liberos and defenders, who will want to feel more grounded and stable when they’re playing defense.
The midtop design gives you great ankle support, but it also makes them a little clunky and boot-like, which some players might find uncomfortable.
The Dame 7s also come in a variety of unisex designs for women who don’t like the idea of wearing a men’s basketball shoe!
These are also considerably cheaper than every other shoe in this list, which makes them a great budget option, and a great choice if you’re looking to upgrade to a higher-quality shoe without feeling it in your wallet.
Extremely good for wide feet! These are the widest shoes I’ve ever worn, so definitely not a great choice if you have narrow feet!
Recommended Use
Great option for any spikers who don’t want to spend a ton of cash on pricier volleyball shoes.
The Good
Excellent shock absorption.
Mid top design offers great ankle support.
Excellent traction compared to the Dame 8s.
Easily the most affordable volleyball shoes under $100!
The Bad
Slightly bulky and boot-like, perhaps not a great fit for setters and liberos.
Smooth – that’s the one word I’d use to describe the Gel-Rocket 10 shoe. The GEL technology used in this shoe does wonders for jumping.
Budget Frontcourt Shoe
If you’re looking for an inexpensive frontcourt shoe, look no further. The Asics Gel-Rocket 10 is a relatively new design, using GEL cushioning technology for shock absorption.
This tech is used in Asics’ line of running shoes, where shock absorption for runners on concrete is a huge concern. They’ve carried this design over to court shoes, so you know that the shock absorption is top-of-the-line in the Gel-Rocket 10s!
Additionally, this makes the Gel-Rocket 10 one of the most comfortable volleyball shoes out there.
As you jump and change direction (both pretty important parts of playing at the net), these shoes offer great support and allow you to make your plays without sacrificing speed or power.
For stability, the Gel-Rocket 10 uses Asics’ TRUSSTIC technology, which allows the foot to bend freely but will offer more support the more your foot twists. Like other Asics shoes on this list, this tech improves the stability of your foot when changing direction, which is crucial for those with flat feet or high arches.
The Gel-Rocket 10 is noticeably more flexible than most volleyball shoes, letting you bend it any way you want to.
All in all, this is a great shoe on a budget, but I wouldn’t expect longevity. It is, after all, a budget shoe, making it a great choice if you’re looking for an all-round good shoe for a season of consistent gametime, but nothing more than that.
Recommended Use
Any position on the court – the shoe is flexible and comfortable enough regardless of position. Like other Asics shoes, these are a great option for anyone with flat feet or high arches.
The Good
A very flexible shoe – you can bend it any way you want.
Provides excellent shock absorption and comfort thanks to the GEL technology.
Offers great stability.
The Bad
Being a budget shoe, durability is a concern and you may want to look elsewhere for a shoe that’s going to last you a long time.
These basketball shoes are a popular choice for wide-footed volleyball players, as well as players who are looking for cushioning and support.
Best Wide-Footed Shoe
The Dame 8 is technically a basketball shoe, but you won’t notice the difference when you’re passing, setting, or hitting.
The grip they provide on the court and the extra bounce when jumping are the two most prominent features about this shoe.
The Dame 8’s outsole is completely rubber, providing great grip. Although the shoe is a bit on the heavier side thanks to all the rubber, you can get used to it the more you play and break them in.
To compensate for the heavy rubber, Adidas uses a breathable mesh for the top part of the shoe, keeping the shoe light and comfortable.
Adidas uses the Bounce Pro technology in these shoes, which uses dual-density materials for cushioning and support when you jump.
Finally, if you’ve been scrolling through this list searching for a wide-footed shoe, look no further. The Dame 8 is perfect for wide-footed athletes who want to be agile on the court.
All in all, Dame 8 is a great budget shoe, but it has a few issues. As I said before, it’s on the heavier side, and you’ll definitely feel that to a certain extent. Secondly, some players report that the rubber doesn’t handle dust well, and traction can be a problem on a dusty court.
Recommended Use
Anyone with wide feet, or just looking for a good budget shoe regardless of position. This shoe easily justifies its price point.
The Good
Good traction (on a clean court).
Great support and cushioning when you jump.
Breathable.
A good fit even for wide-footed people.
The Bad
Slightly heavy – despite the lightweight fabrics, the rubber sole adds a lot of weight. This requires some getting used to.
Rubber soles lose traction on dusty courts!
Mizuno’s latest and greatest volleyball shoe is incredibly light, springier than ever, and simply a joy to play in no matter what your position is on the court.
Most Comfortable Volleyball Shoes
The first thing you notice about the Momentum 2 is that it’s lighter than a feather, which helps you get off the ground faster and higher when jumping!
The first thing you notice about the Momentum 2 is that it’s lighter than a feather, which helps you get off the ground faster and higher when jumping!
This is a premium volleyball shoe, and with that comes a premium price tag, but it’s well worth it for any athlete who takes the game of volleyball seriously.
My favorite thing about this volleyball shoe is the extra bounce it gives when jumping, making it perfect for anyone playing in the front court.
One of my biggest concerns with these volleyball shoes is lack of shock absorption. As a hitter, you’re jumping dozens of times every game, and wearing the wrong shoes can be really rough on your joints if you aren’t careful.
The Wave Momentum 2 are not as good as the original Momentums in this regard. Basically, Mizuno traded shock absorption for extra bounciness. However, the Mizuno Wave technology is still included in this shoe, which does give the Momentum 2 greater shock absorption than a generic shoe.
They also have a fairly high mid top design, which gives you more ankle support when jumping and landing.
Like all Mizuno shoes, these provide excellent grip that ensure you aren’t losing traction in the middle of a game.
These are also a great option for wide-footed athletes!
Recommended Use
The Wave Momentum 2s are excellent for anyone who wants an extremely lightweight, super bouncy shoe that’ll make you feel like you’re jumping out of the gym!
The Good
Ultra lightweight and super bouncy.
Fantastic traction and responsiveness.
Mid top design adds increased ankle support.
The Bad
Cushioning/shock absorption isn’t as good as the original Wave Momentums.
Definitely on the more expensive side.
Best Premium Shoes
Asics have always made excellent volleyball shoes, but with any brand’s shoe, there’s usually something that could be improved or tweaked to make them better.
But if I’m being honest, I couldn’t find any flaws with this shoe.
Asics has said that they designed this shoe specifically for hitters, and it’s not hard to see how.
This shoe is designed with a curved heel shape, which allows athletes to push off more efficiently after they take a step. Jumpers will benefit the most from this, since this shoe gives you more speed and bounce when you’re taking your approach!
Like the Netburner Ballistic, these shoes were also made with Asics’ FlyteFoam technology. That thick, soft sole gives plenty of cushioning when landing, making this the perfect shoe for jumping.
This is especially important if you’re worried about your joints. The cushioning absorbs plenty of force when landing, sparing your knees!
As far as traction goes, there is no better volleyball shoe. These are super sticky on the ground, which is great for all volleyball positions, but especially good for defensive specialists.
The ankle support provided in these shoes locks your heel into the back of the shoe, so your foot isn’t sliding around during the game.
Style and visual appeal have never been a priority for Asics shoes, but these ones have a sharp design that’ll have you looking like a pro on the court!
Having said that, the only possible drawback of this shoe is that it has quite a thick sole, meaning it’s quite high up off the floor.
For some back court players who like to feel closer to the floor, this might not be a perfect match after all…
For most attackers, however, this is only going to make you feel more dominant at the net, so I see it as a positive.
These shoes are wide feet approved!
Recommended Use
The price tag is on the higher side, so this is an option for players who have tried a few shoes and are comfortable spending more money on a high-quality shoe.
This shoe works great for virtually every position on court, although the midsole might be slightly too thick for some liberos who prefer a lower to the ground feel.
If that’s you, check out my article discussing the best volleyball shoes for liberos instead.
The Good
Provides some of the best cushioning that you can find in a volleyball shoe.
Ideal for volleyballers doing a lot of jumping and landing (i.e. spikers).
The mid top design offers exceptional ankle support and tends to fit better overall than the low tops.
The Bad
On the pricier side – should not be an option unless you know exactly what you’re looking for in a shoe.
Also Great
If you’re a setter, you need a shoe that will let you move quickly on the court, support your ankles, and provide cushioning. The Li-Ning All City ticks all these boxes.
As a setter, you’re the player running around the most on your team. Wherever your teammates play the ball, it’s your responsibility to get there and set one of your attackers. This means you need to be stable and change direction quickly, but also be fast!
These shoes have a comfortable but thinner sole, which makes them a much better alternative than most of the shoes we’ve already looked at in this article, which tend to have much thicker soles.
These shoes are also a solid option for outside hitters, since they have all the attributes needed to play at the net, but also play defense in the backcourt.
They’re nice and low, extremely responsive with incredible traction, and also have a really solid cushioning system, making them great for passing, hitting, and all of the movements setters perform, front court and back court.
These shoes also have a reputation for being some of the most comfortable shoes on the market – they even look like you’re walking on clouds when wearing them!
The All City 9s are very similar to the All City 10s, so go for whichever tickles your fancy. They have some amazingly vibrant unisex colorways which makes these great for both men and women.
These shoes have the wide feet check of approval!
Recommended Use
The attention to detail and inclusion of so many important features makes these another fantastic option for both setters and passer-hitters.
The Good
Provides plenty of cushioning and shock absorption without sacrificing bounciness.
Fantastic option for wide feet!
Great choice for anyone who prefers a lower to the ground shoe.
A great looking shoe!
The Bad
Another premium shoe with a premium price tag, making these an expensive choice.
Final Verdict?
After considering all the options, I’d recommend the Asics Netburner Ballistic for anyone looking for the best volleyball shoe. It has everything you need to play at your highest level, without costing a fortune.
For a more budget-friendly option, go for either the Adidas Dame 7 or Asics Gel-Rocket 10. Either of them will give you plenty of comfort and bounce without hurting your bank account.
If you know what you want and you don’t mind spending a bit more money on a quality shoe, then consider the Asics Sky Elite FF2.
For setters and outside hitters, definitely give the Li-Ning All Citys a crack.
For players with high arches or flat feet, any of the Asics shoes will give you the support you need! If you have wide feet, give the Adidas Dame 8’s a try.
At the end of the day, every one of these shoes are on the list because they are exceptional in their own right. What you have on your feet is an important factor in whether or not you can play your best, so don’t be afraid to do some research and consider your options!
Keep reading to learn more about what things you need to be aware of when buying volleyball shoes…
What To Look For In A Volleyball Shoe?
When we consider what factors are most important for us to play our best, athletes will often talk about staying hydrated, being focused, and pure athleticism. We rarely consider the importance of the equipment we wear, other than whether or not it looks good!
As we discussed above, factors like comfort, shock absorption, and grip are so important for volleyball players to play their best.
What’s more, each individual position has slightly different skills, which means every player demands something slightly different from their bodies.
For example, a libero and middle blocker are both playing on the court, but one is often diving and rolling while the other is jumping and shuffling. This means it’s important to consider your position’s demands when choosing your shoe.
I’ll briefly run through the design aspects I looked at to help me decide which of the above volleyball shoes were worth recommending.
Ankle Support
Any sport where jumping and lateral movement is involved requires a fairly hefty amount of ankle support.
Some defensive specialists, particularly ones with exceptional body control, will need less ankle support and can instead opt for a lighter weight, more flexible shoe to increase their court agility.
On the other hand, hitters who are constantly jumping and landing are putting lots of strain on their ankles, especially if they don’t have proper landing mechanics. Learning to jump and land safely are crucial, but having shoes with ankle support is important protection to have.
Shock Absorption
I believe this is the most important factor to consider for volleyballers who do a lot of jumping (outside hitters, middle blockers, and opposites).
Every time you jump, or land from a jump, your joints take a hit.
If your shoes absorb force poorly, that pressure will slowly wear your knees down until you’re left with a chronic overuse injury like tendonitis.
This is one of the main reasons I often recommend basketball shoes for volleyballers, because they’re designed with these landing forces in mind.
As a middle blocker myself, this is why my favorite shoe is the Adidas Dame 7.
Traction & Grip
The Asics Sky Elite FF shoes are the best of the above so far as traction goes.
If you’re primarily playing on an outdoor court, either of the basketball shoe options on this list are by far the best choice.
However, if the floor you’re playing on doesn’t offer much traction, there’s no shoe in the world that can help.
Always wipe your shoes and keep them clean. It’s important to consider replacing your shoes once you notice the grip on the sole starting to fade.
If you start to slip more often and you can’t figure out why, I’m sorry to say, it might be time to look at getting another pair.
Weight
This factor will often come down to personal preference.
Certainly it’s not ideal to have great big bulky shoes, but nowadays most shoes are fairly similar in terms of weight.
The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2s are easily the lightest shoe on my list and are considerably lighter than most of the others.
Perhaps more important than weight is how mobile, flexible, and agile the shoe allows you to be on court.
The Mizunos offer great support and grip, allowing you to change direction quickly if you need to lunge after a ball. This makes them a great choice for liberos or defensive specialists.
Style
I know I said that earlier we tend to only care about how our shoes look. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it some thought when you’re deciding what pair to get!
If I’m wearing a crisp new pair of shoes with lots of cushioning and bounce, I’m going to feel a lot more powerful and explosive on court than I would if I was wearing an old pair of worn out trainers…
There are plenty of options out there in terms of colors and design. Don’t be afraid to go for something bold, but remember not to choose a nice-looking pair rather than something that actually feels comfortable.
Confidence goes a long way when it comes to playing your best, but it isn’t everything!
Best Place To Buy Volleyball Shoes?
Obviously, being able to try on the shoes you want before you buy them is ideal, so a bricks-and-mortar store would be the best option.
Try searching for a store that has experienced employees who can give you insight on the shoes you’re looking at. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Unfortunately, it’s pretty rare to find volleyball shoes in sports stores these days, which is why most people turn to the internet to buy their shoes.
After writing over 50 articles on volleyball shoes, I’ve learned which sites work best and offer the biggest range at the most affordable prices.
Amazon
My first preference is usually Amazon for a couple of reasons:
- Huge range of shoes from each of the major manufacturers.
- Frequent discounts.
- Competitive range of sizes.
- Plenty of information regarding whether the shoe runs big or small and what size is best to get.
- Super quick & easy checkout and fast shipping so you can be playing in your new shoes sooner!
- Easy returns.
For those reasons, I tend to mostly link to Amazon in my articles.
I’ve also found that Amazon will often have a wider range of sizes as well as shoes that have been discontinued by the manufacturer.
What Are The Best Volleyball Shoe Brands?
While there are plenty of shoe manufacturers out there today, there are really only four of them who specifically design volleyball shoes AND do it well.
These would be Asics, Mizuno, Nike, and Adidas.
Many moons ago, Mizuno and Asics were the top dogs when it came to volleyball shoes. This was mainly because these were the only brands making shoes specifically for volleyball.
Nike and Adidas jumped into the volleyball shoe game not so long ago and have been making some really quality shoes.
Recently, Nike and Adidas have added volleyball shoes to their product line.
This was a natural progression, since 1) they were already making basketball shoes, which have plenty of overlap with what’s needed in a volleyball shoe, and 2) the game of volleyball has grown so much in recent years. Why not try to tap into that market?
While Nike is now marketing shoes as specifically designed for volleyball, Adidas tends to market more to the general court sport (handball/squash/badminton) market.
What Are The Most Popular Volleyball Shoes?
Not too long ago, if you were to look around most volleyball courts, you’d probably see a lot of Mizunos and Asics being worn.
These two brands have been the most popular for a long time now. However, Nike and Adidas are becoming more and more popular as their shoes become better suited for volleyball.
Recently, a lot of the top pros in the world have been seen wearing the Nike React Hypersets, as depicted below.
In recent times, a lot of the top pros in the world have been seen wearing the Nike React Hypersets as depicted below.
The next time you’re watching a pro or international volleyball match, see if you can tell how many players are wearing a specific brand. You can use that as a starting point when you’re looking for your next shoe!
What Are The Most Comfortable Volleyball Shoes?
Having worn the Asics Sky Elite FF shoes, I can confidently say that these are the most comfortable volleyball shoes I’ve worn.
This is thanks to how well the shoe keeps your ankle locked into the heel of the shoe. Having your foot slide around inside your shoe during a game is uncomfortable, and can even risk injury.
Ultimately, how comfortable a shoe is comes down to your personal foot shape and preference.
Do you have flat feet or high arches? or have wide feet?
Every shoe is going to fit slightly differently, and it’s important to make sure that the shoe you choose is the right fit for you!
How Should Volleyball Shoes Fit?
Volleyball shoes should fit snug around your foot, without letting your heel slide around as you’re taking steps.
They shouldn’t be too tight around the sides of your feet, which can cause discomfort after long games.
I’ve included information about which shoes fit well for people with wide feet in the above write-ups.
But if your heart’s set on the look of a certain shoe that isn’t ideal for wide feet, I’d suggest buying half a size higher than normal.
In a perfect world, we’d be able to try before we buy, but that’s simply not an option for a few of these shoes.
Volleyball Shoe FAQ
Below I’ve taken the time to answer a few of your most commonly asked volleyball shoe questions.
How often should you replace volleyball shoes?
If you take good care of your volleyball shoes, they should last a number of years.
It’ll depend quite a bit on whether you’re using them on indoor courts exclusively and whether you take them off after playing or walk them out to the carpark.
Even if you’re playing volleyball multiple times a week, you should get at least a year or two out of them before they might need replacing.
What are the lightest volleyball shoes?
The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2s are widely regarded as the lightest volleyball shoe on the current market. If you include basketball shoes as well then you’ve got the Nike Giannis Immortality which is lighter still!
What shoes does Yuji Nishida wear?
Yuji Nishida typically wears the Asics Sky Elite FF Tokyo edition.
Nishida is one of only two volleyball athletes sponsored by Asics, so if he’s not wearing the Sky Elites, it’s often something similar.
Are volleyball shoes good for lifting?
Volleyball shoes are definitely not ideal for lifting weights in.
Many volleyball shoes have quite a thick, soft sole which makes lifts like squats and deadlifts a very bad idea.
The Adidas Stabil Next Gen volleyball shoes are low enough to the ground that they’d probably be fine to lift in.
Although still not recommended, if you’re just doing general fitness workouts in the gym, most volleyball shoes will probably be fine.
Can you use indoor soccer shoes for volleyball?
Indoor soccer shoes are not suitable for volleyball and will probably be quite uncomfortable to play in.
Indoor soccer shoes aren’t designed for jumping.
They have a flat sole with a poor heel-toe transition, making jumping inefficient and landing even worse due to the minimal shock absorption.
Are volleyball and squash shoes the same?
Squash shoes are similar to volleyball shoes and most people will happily wear them interchangeably.
If you’re a front court volleyballer doing a lot of hitting, I’d avoid most of the court shoes marketed towards squash or badminton as you’d be better off going for something closer to a basketball shoe.
Impact protection is extremely important in volleyball shoes and a lot of the squash shoes have quite thin soles which will put stress on your joints after a considerable amount of jumping.
Are volleyball shoes non-slip?
Volleyball shoes are indeed non-slip and most of them have exceptionally good traction patterns for both indoor and outdoor courts.
Are volleyball shoes worth it?
Volleyball shoes are certainly worthwhile if you’re regularly playing volleyball.
Due to the nature of the sport, unless you have basketball shoes or certain generic court shoes, you’ll benefit greatly by having some shoes designed specifically for the volleyball court.
Most cross trainers will be fine for beginners to wear but they’ll notice significant performance benefits by investing in some volleyball shoes.
What are the best youth volleyball shoes?
Youth volleyball shoes are no different to adult volleyball shoes.
Any of the recommendations I’ve made here today will be suitable for volleyball players of any age.
What are the best looking volleyball shoes?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Personally I prefer the look of Adidas shoes but I also think the Li-Ning All City line looks amazing as well as the Nike Hypersets.
Do Volleyball Shoes Run Small Or Big?
The vast majority of volleyball shoes run true to size. However, Adidas has been known to make a shoe on the smaller side, so consider going up half a size with Adidas.
As always, it’s important to try on a shoe if you can before you buy it!
Are Volleyball Shoes Supposed To Be Tight?
In volleyball, you’re constantly going to be running, jumping, and changing direction. So, it’s best to get shoes that fit fairly snug and can be laced up quite tight.
Obviously you don’t want the shoe to be too tight, so I highly recommend taking heed of my wide feet warnings!
Ideally you’d like the heel to be locked down nice and secure so there’s minimal movement during these explosive movements.
Our Top Recommendation
Asics Netburner Ballistic
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