Wearing thebest volleyball shoes is always a top priority for any volleyball player. This is because vertical, straight, and lateral movements like Jumping, sprinting, diving, shuffling, and quick-stepping during a match put substantial pressure on the foot, ankles, and knees.
A good volleyball shoe not only protects players from injury but also increases performance. Keeping this in view, I and a team of experts have checked and tested different renowned volleyball shoe brands, including ASICS, Adidas, Mizuno, and Nike.
We have tested each shoe on the criteria for best volleyball shoes i.e. traction, cushioning, comfort, breathability, and durability, the key characteristics of a top volleyball Shoe.
Importantly, all the shoes on the list are of premium quality and the best volleyball shoes. You may select any suitable pair as per your needs and depending on the recommendations given below against each shoe. Moreover, your experience with these shoes may be different from ours.
Therefore, we highly acknowledge and appreciate your experience sharing. Feel free to help us by sharing your experience for the betterment of other users.
So let’s begin with our top choice i.e. the ASICS SKY ELITE FF-2.
Best Volleyball shoes– Top Position
Our Pick
ASICS Sky Elite FF MT-2
Popular, Premium, and Best Asics Volleyball shoes. A good combination of flexibility, comfort, breathability, and heel-to-toe transition.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Why Asics Sky Elite?
SKY Elite FF2 is the most popular, premium, and best ASICS volleyball shoe.
Excellent cushioning, traction, and heel-to-toe transition
The SKY Elites have all the features of the best volleyball shoes.
Features and Design
Thick padding in the ankle/collar area.
The tongue of the shoe is a traditional type and is separate from the upper of the shoe.
The shoe’s upper is made of breathable mesh material with ample padding.
Flyte Foam is used to construct midsoles for comfortable landing and shock absorption.
The outsole is made of rubber with a pattern.
The shoe has a little upper blade and a wider lower for lateral support.
Flexible edges on the outer sides for facilitating comfortable foot movement.
Curving on both sides of the heel for rolling of the heel comfortably and spring into any direction.
Performance
Whatever aspect of the performance you consider, Sky Elite’s has no match. After testing the performance on the aforementioned parameter, we have noticed the following things:
Shoes have great flexibility and durability.
After trying these shoes on dusty, clean gym floors, the traction was excellent on both surfaces and the shoe binds like glue.
The landing was super soft, even softer than the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 and the Nike Hyperace.
Very responsive to direction change while defense.
The shoe has good springiness on both the heel and forefoot, which helps in getting the extra bounce from the soul. The heel-to-toe transition of the shoe was also excellent.
These shoes have thicker soles and might not be fit for the liberos, who prefer to remain closer to the court.
One thing I do recommend is buying them a half-size big. There’s so much cushioning inside of them and so much padding that it’ll take up more space in the shoe than you’d prefer if you were wearing a true size.
Positive Points
Comfortable
Excellent traction
Great cushioning support
Agile and supportive in lateral movements
Negative Points
Expensive
Might Not be an excellent choice for liberos due to high heels.
Recommended Use
To me, these are allrounder and best volleyball shoes for men and women, I would recommend these shoes for all volleyball positions including outside hitters, opposite hitters, middle blockers, liberos, and setters due to cushioning, heel-to-toe transition, lateral support, and traction.
Best Volleyball shoes– Runner-Up
Mizuno Wave Momentum is an upgraded version of Wave Momentum 02. The shoe is equipped with the latest Mizuno cushioning technology i.e. Mizuno Enerzy foam.
Runner UP
Mizuno Wave Momentum 3
Upgraded version of Mizuno Wave Momentum 02. Excellent support, cushioning and lateral stability
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design
Booty construction, maintaining a sock-like feel similar to the momentum 02
More futuristic than the previous sneakers. The design is more mesh-like, and some have some fluorescent colors at the same time.
Equipped with anti-collision technology in the toe-cap
Pronounced outrigger and wider base for the lateral support
The shoe has a detachable insole
Performance
First of all, the shoe has decent traction which is of course one of the most important concerns for a volleyball player.
The cushioning is superb and improved than the previous model which has a bit solid sole and harder landing.
The round-shaped cushioning pack under the ball of the foot is a new introduction to increase the energy return and facilitate the jumping and soft landing.
The current model has a better fit as the lacing holds the foot quite better. Whereas in momentum 2 there remains a little space between the laces and the upper part of the forefoot. Resultantly, the foot feels a little loose, especially for those with the slim foot.
The base of the shoe is quite wide, which provides a large contact area for braking ability or explosive ability. In my opinion, this offers good conduction, which will have a good effect whether you’re decelerating or accelerating.
Moreover, the wide base offers good support to the body weight upon landing, it feels that there is a whole shoe to catch your foot.
Shoes are good for the wide feet mainly because of the wider base.
The sneakers hug the feet comfortably without feeling too tight or uncomfortable
Positive Points
Comfort
Cushioning
Good traction
Bounciness
Ankle support
Negative Points
Costly
Heavier
Mizuno Wave Momentum 03 vs Mizuno Wave Momentum 02
In my opinion, this sneaker has three major upgrades/changes, which I think are relatively large and worthy of attention.
The upper is of different material and upgraded in appearance.
Round bubble cushioning in the midsole under the ball of the foot.
The third one is the shoe buckle, heel, and lacing offer a quite better fit.
Lastly, Mizuno Wave Momentum 3 is heavier than the Momentum 2
Recommended Use&Positions
In my opinion, Wave Momentum 3 has excellent cushioning so I will label it as jumper shoes. The shoe is best for all hitting position.
Best Volleyball shoes– 3rd Position
3rd position
Mizuno Wave Momentum-2
The ultra-lightweight Volleyball shoes with good ankle support and comfort, offering optimal traction and heel-to-toe transition.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 is among the top and best Mizuno volleyball shoes. These are the improved versions of Mizuno Wave Momentum.
Features and Design
First and foremost the shoes are lightweight which is one of the important qualities of a good volleyball shoe.
The shoe’s upper and tongue are one piece and maintain a sock-like appearance.
The upper is made of breathable mesh material.
There is adequate padding around the ankle with a reinforced strap.
The Toe box contains a Dura Shield for preventing/minimizing damage in case of collision.
The Mizuno energy foam coupled with Mizuno wave plate technology provides springiness, stability, and cushioning on impact.
The insole is stiffer than the average volleyball shoe so it maintains its shape better.
Performance
The shoe is a snug fit and is softer than the first version which is a nice improvement.
Sneakers also have good traction both on the gym and dusty floors. But, this is not as good as Asics Sky Elite FF 2. However, I didn’t have to face many problems with the traction.
The shoe is quite durable. In fact, the durability of the shoes in comparison to the weight was quite surprising for me.
Wave momentum offers a good heel-to-toe transition and a much smoother landing.
The shoes have better comfort as compared to the previous version i.e. Wave Momentum, in which the landing was hard due to the stiffer sole. However, it still needs improvement.
It is very suitable for wide feet which gives a lot of extra space in the toe box to move around and allow your toes to spread out.
Positive Points
Comfortable
Durable
Good traction
Lightweight and bounciness
Mid-top variant for ankle support
Negative Points
Costly
Shock absorption needs further improvement
Recommended Use&Positions
In my opinion, Wave Momentum 2 is best for outside hitters, opposite hitters, and setters because most of your jumping is going to be fairly straightforward and controlled so you won’t feel the effects of that delayed change of direction as much. Moreover, this is a jumper’s shoe which is great if you’re max jumping all the time.
On the other hand, as a libero, you’re going to feel too high off the ground because you actually want a thinner sole so you can feel the floor and have a much more responsive shoe that doesn’t necessarily have a lot of cushioning. However, these shoes are worn by the renowned US Libero Erik Shoji.
ASICS SKY ELITE FF MT-2 VS. MIZUNO WAVE MOMENTUM 2
ASICS SKYY ELITE FF-2
Heavier than Mizuno
Traditional tongue
Adequate Ankle padding
Breathable Mesh
Flyte Foam Midsole
Rubber Outsole
Softer Insole
Wider Toe Box
Excellent Traction
MIZUNO WAVE MOMENTUM 2
Lighter then Asics
Adequate Anke Padding
Sock-like tongue.
Breathable Mesh
Mizuno Enerzy Foam
Rubber Outsole
Stiffer Insole than Asics
Wider Toe Box
Less Grippy than Asics
Best Volleyball Shoes-4th Position
4th Position
Adidas Dame-08
Dame -08 is the Basketball shoes and Upgraded version of Dame 06 and 07. The shoe is good for outdoor use and is also a low-price option.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Adidas Dame 8
Basically, these are basketball shoes and an upgraded version of Dame 7. The predecessors of these sneakers including Dame 6 and 7 were quite solid and stiff respectively. However, considering the specifications and performance, these shoes can be regarded as the best basketball shoes for volleyball
It has a perfect balance of lightweight and secure flexibility and firmness, springiness, and support. It is rare to find shoes that have all the qualities together.
Features and Design
Thick padding in the collar area.
The shoe’s upper and tongue are made of the same mesh material.
The rounded edges of the sole.
The toe box is also nice and wide allowing your toe to spread.
The shoe also has a more pronounced outrigger, which is necessary for ankle and knee stability.
Adidas has used bounce technology instead of boost technology to make the shoe more responsive and springier compared to the previous which has a slower and softer feel.
Although the heel counter is firm, it is flexible so the heel can feel locked in and move around without any uncomfortable rubbing.
The overall width of the shoe is great for wide feet.
Performance
Ankle support and stability were excellent.
The shoe had good shock absorption and springiness as well as being responsive to sudden change directions.
Traction was good on clean hardwood gym floors and sports courts, however, it wasn’t at best on dusty floors. So, I recommend using shoe cleaner or grip spray with your bag in case of a dusty floor.
The upper of the shoe was lighter and more flexible than Dame 7. This facilitated my foot to bend and twist in all directions.
It also allowed side-by-side rolling during defensive movements, where I turned and stepped at a steep knee angle.
I actually felt fitted without any part of the shoe rubbing my feet uncomfortably heel, side of the foot, the sole, or the toes.
As per my thought, it won’t work for a defensive position, but one of our teammates used this shoe and played as libero, as per his experience the shoes were unexpectedly much responsive to lateral movements. Usually, thicker sole shoes take longer to compress and decompress due to longer distances which makes them less responsive.
Sole is on the thicker side and I felt quite high off the ground which is normal for basketball shoes but not for volleyball shoes.
The padding in the collar area felt comfortable around the ankle and snug without feeling too tight.
The tongue thickness was also adequate and didn’t allow laces to press the foot and stay in place compared to other shoes.
This shoe is also best for wide feet.
Positive Points
Cushioning
heel-to-toe transition
springiness
Good traction
Mid-top variant for ankle support
Negative Points
Bulkier compared to other volleyball shoes
Recommended Use&Positions
These are some of the best shoes in terms of Comfort, performance, durability, and versatility. Best for setter, outside hitter, and middle blockers
Best Volleyball Shoes-5th Position
Nike Women Zoom Hyperace 02
5th position
Zoom Hyperace 02
Specially designed volleyball shoes by Nike. Very comfortable, cushiony, and durable. A good option for hitters.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design
The shoe design looks quite basic, with a textured pattern around the whole shoe.
There is a long bold Nike logo on the side of the shoe.
The upper is made of breathable mesh material.
The tongue of the shoe is not one piece to the upper of the shoe and is also adequately thick.
Nike has used one of the advanced technology i.e. Zoom for the midsole construction.
Performance
The shoes are comfortable and do not require any break-in period
They felt comfortably fit and snug.
The padding in the collar and upper area was quite thicker and stiffer than other volleyball shoes, however, it was decently breathy and flexible. Although it was comfortable on my feet, it may be a bit uncomfortable for others with different feet.
The shoe has a thicker sole which made me feel a little higher above the ground.
The shock absorption was very good in the shoes and the landing felt stable, firm as well as comfortable.
The shoe neither put pressure on my feet nor rubbed the sides. Furthermore, with different side and front movements, there was plenty of space for my foot to move inside the shoes. Additionally, I also didn’t feel my foot slipping during these movements.
The lateral support protects the ankle from twisting, however, the shoe is slightly less responsive to rapid direction changes.
It was not very responsive and sticky
Positive Points
Cushioning
Stability
Comfortable and durable
Shock Absorption
Negative Points
Less sticky
Narrower Base
Recommended Use& Positions
Nike Hyperacce is one of the top volleyball shoes in terms of cushioning, comfort, and durability. However, due to their thicker soul, I’ll recommend these shoes for hitters and middle blockers.
Best Volleyball Shoes-6th Position
Wave Lightning Z6 along with Momentum 2 are considered the highest standard and most demanded Mizuno Sneakers. Although not provided officially, the shoe construction hints that the major focus of the model is mobility.
6th position
Mizuno Wave Lightning Z6 Mid Top
One of the premium Mizuno Volleyball shoes. Lightweight, explosive with comfort and breathability. A good option for the setters.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design
The shoe is lightweight and explosive.
The shoe has a thicker collar to better grasp the foot and increase coverage.
The shoe tongue is flat and thin with a little cushion inside.
The toe box is somewhat narrow and has a Dura Shield to protect the foot from collisions. It could be unsuitable if you get a tight pair as the hard shield will push your toe.
The upper of the shoe is made of breathable mesh material which is a good thing.
It is further reinforced by hard leather, aimed at fixing the foot inside the shoe and preventing it from flying away.
Wave technology is used in the construction of the outsole
The outsole of the shoe has a wave-like appearance and the rare foot area has small holes both on the inner and outer sides of the shoe.
Performance
I felt uncomfortable due to the less cushioned sharp material of the tongue.
Shoes were grippy and responsive to lateral and forward movements.
Cushioning was also of an appropriate level but not the level of Momentum or Nike Hyperset. In my opinion, the shoe needs improvement in this aspect
The shoes are narrow therefore, I would recommend ordering half or one size larger than your normal size.
Positive Points
Lightweight
Good Traction
Responsive
Breathable and Ventilated
Negative Points
Uncomfortable Tongue
Less Cushioning
Recommended Use & Positions
These shoes are good for setters as they support lateral movements with a good grip and adequate cushioning for the setter.
Best Volleyball Shoes-7th Position
Nike Hyperset
After looking at first glance these shoes look quite good in design and resemble more to a basketball shoe. I have seen a good number of professional players wearing these shoes Micah Christenson is one example among those players.
7th position
Nike React Hyperset
One of the most popular volleyball shoes by Nike. Equally popular at professional and local levels
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design
The shoe is a bit bulky and has a long tongue which makes it resemble a basketball shoe.
There is a strap, imprinted with the Nike logo, on the upper of the shoe which starts from the outer middle and extends to the inner end of the shoe.
The upper of the shoe is made up of soft breathable material and is thicker than other volleyball shoes in my use.
The shoe has good padding in the ankle and forefoot area making the shoe comfortable.
The shoe sole is made of Nike React technology, which is used in the running shoe of Nike.
The sole and the rubber are fairly thicker and stiffer than the typical volleyball shoes.
Performance
Nike Hyperset is the same as Hyperdunks in terms of traction. Both shoes use a circular pattern in the outsole with optimum grip on the surface.
This thicker sole has made the shoe responsive to jumping. However, the shock absorption wasn’t at best in my opinion.
The traction was great and the shoe was also supportive of changing directions.
The lateral movements were also comfortable and easy Furthermore the landing was also comfortable as the shoe has got thick soles and adequate cushioning.
A few players have also complained of hurting by this shoe, so I recommend choosing a number or a half bigger especially if you have wide feet. On the other hand, if you have lean feet then it may be ok for you depending on your foot.
Hyperset gives good bounce but in my observation not at par with the Nike Hyper attack or Hyperace.
Positive Points
Great Traction
Adequate cushioning
Breathable
Ankle Support
Negative Points
Bulkier
Velcro may affect the foot
Not best for wide feet
Recommended Use & Positions
In my experience, the shoe lacked adequate comfort which may be due to wide feet. The performance including traction, responsiveness, durability, and support was good. However, considering the best practice I will recommend these shoes for setters as they are not on too high jumps compared to outside hitters. I will also suggest buying a number or half size bigger.
Best Volleyball Shoes-8th Position
8th position
Adidas Women Crazyflight Mid
Famous volleyball shoes and various pro players are spotted wearing these shoes. One of the best all-rounder volleyball shoes for Men and women
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design
The shoe has a flexible upper mesh material which is reinforced by PU bracing.
It also has additional PU bonding in the toe area for reinforcement.
The tongue area of the shoe maintains a sock-like appearance making it one unit.
The EVA stability frame along the sides of the shoe for lateral support.
In the midsole, the crazy flight has Boost cushioning, the best cushioning available with Adidas.
Performance
One of my team members who plays as a libero used these shoes and has observed that:
These shoes are slim fit and comfortable
The booty sock fits around the foot and provides good support to the ankle. Moreover, it also offers great comfort and stability.
The shoe offered more stability to the lateral movement due to the EVA stability frame.
The grip of the shoe was decent in all directions. However, it wasn’t at best on dusty floors.
The booty sock fits around the foot and provides good support to the ankle. Moreover, it also offers great comfort and stability.
Breathable, and well ventilated
Positive Points
Best for women’s volleyball player
Breathable and flexible
Cushioning
Good lateral support
Slim fit
Negative Points
Bit loose in the collar area
Shock absorption needs improvement for men
Recommended Use & Positions
These shoes are good for liberos due to adequate lateral support and cushioning. Moreover, I will recommend these shoes as one of the best volleyball shoes for women volleyball players
Best Volleyball Shoes-9th Position
Adidas Stabil Next Generation
9th position
Adidas Stabil Next Generation
Available in various colors, and cool looks. Supportive in lateral movement. A good option for the liberos being close to the ground.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Best Volleyball Shoes-10th Position
Asics Netburner Ballistic FF MT 3
These shoes are an improved version of the former model i.e. Netburner Ballistic FF2. ASICS has emphasized enhancing speed and explosiveness with this new version. This is an upper mid-tier volleyball shoe by the Asics and is less expensive than the SKY Elite FF-2.
ASICS NETBURNER BALLISTIC FF 3
Asics Netburner Ballistic FF MT 3
Specially designed volleyball shoes by Asics. Very comfortable, cushiony, and durable. A good option for hitters.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design
There’s a modern twist with the nice gradient pattern and color toward the back of the shoe and angled lines giving the shoe a more athletic speed.
A small selection of colorways with a variety of Blues greens and yellows gives the shoe a fresh and vibrant look.
A new technology called PGuard is used in shoe construction.
The general PU covering mesh makes the sneakers protective, breathable, and supportive.
A unique lace-up design goes all the way up for a secure fit.
The shoe has famous Arthur glue in the rearfoot and Flyte foam in the midsole.
The Flytefoam technology, coupled with Arthur glue, gives a light and durable solution. Moreover, this provides good cushioning, shock absorption, and responsiveness.
The traction was also good. The rubber sole of the current shoes is upgraded to the previous version, as the Netburner Ballistic FF3 has a big X in the sole.
Performance
Shoes don’t need a break-in period. It also felt lighter than the Sky Elite, Adidas stable, and Nike Hyperace-2. The upper and the sole are similar in weight compared to most shoes where the sole is heavier than the upper.
The shoe had adequate padding in the collar and tongue area that gave a comfortable and snug feeling to my foot.
The traction was excellent even on dusty floors. The rubber sole of the current shoes is upgraded to the previous version, as the Netburner Ballistic FF3 has a big X in the sole.
Netburner Ballistic FF3 has a higher heel drop, which facilitated me with sprinting and sudden movements by giving a good push.
Usually, the height of our heel is about the same as the height of the toe; when our heel is raised, the center of gravity leans forward a little because the front toes are relatively low. When the center of gravity is leaned forward, it is easier for you to sprint and start.
Positive Points
Lightweight
Comfortable
Cushioning
Slim Fit
Negative Points
Unsuitable for wide feet
Recommended Position & Levels
A good volleyball shoe for beginner and lighter athletes who want a shoe specifically for jumping and feeling lighter on the court.
Setters, hitters, and some liberos if you don’t mind feeling a little higher off the ground and some middles if you’re on the lighter side also if you just want a lightweight shoe that’s not going to fall apart and makes you feel a little bit more springy then this is the shoe for you. Playing Levels: Beginners, club, college, national
Best Volleyball Shoes-11th Position
Adidas Harden Vol. 06
Adidas Harden Vol 6 is also a basketball shoe.
Features and Design
The weight of the shoe is on the heavier side as compared to volleyball shoes, however, when I put the shoe on, it felt quite light.
The shoe has a bulky heel than the toe.
It contains the boost technology which helps in cushioning as well as jumping
The heel of the shoe is thicker and well-cushioned.
As far as the traction goes, the shoe has a good grip on the concrete outdoor surfaces however, the traction on the gym floor is less than Asics or other volleyball shoes in the list.
Positive Points
Best for outdoor
Durable
Cushioning
Wide toe box
Negative Points
Less sticky on the gym floor
Heavy Weight
Budget Options
ASICS Gel Rocket-10
Asics Gel Rocket-10 is an upgraded version of its previous Asics model i.e. Asics Gel Rocket 09. It is also among the most popular volleyball sneakers available in the market. The shoes are equipped with the Asics gel technology for cushioning and support.
Popular VOLLEYBALL shoes
ASICS Gel Rocket-10
A popular, budget-friendly shoe, with all the qualities of a good volleyball shoe.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design:
Traditional tongue, breathable and flexible upper mesh construction for easy foot movement as well as enhanced airflow to keep the feet cool without compromising comfort.
Glued insole and rubber outsole integrated with flex grooves for better traction, support, and flexibility.
Gel Technology for shock absorption coupled with Trusstic System Technology for a lightweight option without compromising the structural integrity.
Heel Wrap-up and Outrigger for smoother landings, aiding in stability during abrupt stops.
Performance
I have felt a clear difference in traction compared to the Asics and Mizuno. However, it wasn’t bad at all.
Shock absorption was optimum due to the gel pockets in the heel area.
The shoe felt lighter and more responsive than the previous model.
Adequate lateral support
In short, it is a good volleyball shoe at such a reasonable price.
Positive Points
Budget option
Optimum Traction
Flexible and Breathable
Gel Cushioning
Negative Points
Not for the wide feet
Less Arch support
Recommended Position & Levels
An all-rounder volleyball shoe for enthusiasts with a low budget. Playing Levels: Beginners, club, college, national
ASICS Upcourt 05
Asics Upcourt 05 is also a popular and budget-friendly option from Asics. I will regard it as one of the best budget volleyball shoes. They are almost parallel to the Gel Rocket-10 in terms of quality and popularity. However, Gel Rocket has added stability in the outsole.
Popular hitter shoes
Asics Upcourt-05
A lightweight, popular, very budget-friendly shoe, with adequate traction stability and shock absorption.
Your purchase may earn us a commission at no cost to you
Features and Design:
Considering the design and features, the Upcourt-5 and the Gel Rocket are almost parallel. So I will take a bird’s eye view of these:
Adequately thick/padded collar and traditional tongue. Synthetic leather reinforcement in the toe area.
Glued insole, rubber outsole, and EVA midsole. No heel wrap-up
Upcourt are little light as compared to the Gel Rocket with a different outsole. However, the upcourts are lighter in weight than the Gel Rocket 10.
Performance:
I’ve tried these shoes out on the court they were simply amazing.
No break-in period was required.
No issue with the grip or stability during forward and lateral movements
Lighter than ASICS Gel Rocket 10. However, Gel Rocket seems a little better in quality
The stitching in the forefront area and the piece along the small toe is weak and may be prone to coming apart.
In a nutshell, if you’re in search of a budget-friendly option and aren’t too worried about longevity, then give these a try.
Positive Points
Optimal traction
Affordable and cheap price
Negative Points
Not for wide feet
Recommended Position & Levels
An all-rounder volleyball shoe for enthusiasts with a low budget. Playing Levels: Beginners, club, college, national
Key Features of Best Volleyball Shoes (Buying Guide)
In volleyball, like any other sport, players have different roles and positions, such as setters, hitters, and liberos, as do the shoes. In addition to the roles and volleyball positions, body weight and foot structure are also important factors in shoe selection.
So, the features of the shoe may vary according to the needs and requirements of the player and the playing position.
In my opinion, shock absorption is the first and foremost characteristic that every Volleyball shoe should have. The main reason behind this is its direct impact on the human body.
If you are a hitter or Middle Blocker then the vertical jumping will put considerable pressure on your knees and joints. So, a shoe with good shock absorption will protect from injury and give a soft landing.
I have opted for the Adidas Dame 8 for my brother, who is an outside hitter. This is because Dame 8 offers a smooth and comfortable landing.
Ankle Support
As discussed earlier, a hefty amount of jumping is involved in volleyball. So, ankles are the second important body part to be protected, especially if you’re a bulky athlete.
For this purpose, a mid-top design with adequate shoes should be opted for by spikers and Middle Blockers.
Lateral Support
If you’re playing as libero or in a defensive position then adequate lateral support is a must. This holds the foot inside the shoe and gives a push in sudden direction changes.
Adequate Traction
Traction is actually how firmly the shoe grips the surface of the court. It is helpful in quick movements and sudden stops. Most of the volleyball shoes have good traction on cleaned floors.
The traction of the shoe also depends on floor maintenance. If it is dusty and less maintained the traction will get affected.
So, if you play on dusty surfaces, then it is better to opt for Sky Elite or Mizuno Wave Momentum, as both shoes have a good bite on them. On the other hand, if you are going to play outdoors, I’ll recommend Harden Vol.6.
Lightweight
It is another important aspect to be kept in mind while selecting a volleyball shoe. I am quite a lightweight guy so I prefer lightweight shoes.
Heavy shoes give a bulky feel while jumping and in my opinion, they affect performance by not being much helpful in jumping.
If you want a lightweight volleyball shoe, try the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2, because these are the lightest volleyball shoes.
Breathability
A shoe should be adequately ventilated and breathable. The shoe lacking this property may cause sweating in the foot, leading to blisters. Although most of the volleyball shoes have breathable mesh material upper this factor may be considered.
Cushioning
Cushioning is important to give a comfortable feeling to the foot inside the shoe. If the shoes are inadequately cushioned you will feel uncomfortable. Even your foot may get hurt which in turn affects your performance.
FAQs Best Volleyball Shoes
What are the key characteristics of the best volleyball shoes?
In volleyball, like any other sport, players have different roles and positions such as setters, hitters, and liberos. The requirement for volleyball shoes varies according to the roles and positions.
For instance, the shoe preference of the libero is low heels and allowing good side movement whereas a spiker requires a thick heel with a lot of shock absorption
In addition to the roles and volleyball positions, body weight and foot structure are also important factors in shoe selection.
So, the features of the shoe may vary according to the needs and requirements of the player and the playing position.
Importantly, traction and breathability are the features that remain the same whatever the position you’re playing at.
Considering this I’ve discussed below the salient characteristics of a volleyball shoe that should be considered while selecting. Furthermore, I have also reviewed the best volleyball shoes for hitters and best volleyball shoes for liberos in separate articles.
