Wearing the best volleyball shoes is always a top priority for any volleyball player. This is because vertical and lateral movements like sprinting, diving, shuffling, quick-stepping, and jumping during a match put substantial pressure on the foot, ankles, and knees.
A good volleyball shoe not only protects players from injury but also affects performance. Excellent traction, cushioning, comfort, breathability, and durability are the key characteristics of a top volleyball Shoe.
Keeping this in view, me and a team of experts have checked and tested different renowned volleyball shoe brands including, ASICS, Adidas, Mizuno, and Nike.
We have listed them in order of priority, and our top choice is ASICS Sky Elite FF and the second in the list is Mizuno Wave Momentum 2.
We have tested each shoe on the criteria for best volleyball shoes, which also serves as a buying guide, and is given at the end. So without any delay let’s begin with our top choice i.e. ASICS SKY ELITE FF-2.
Best Volleyball shoes– Top Position
ASICS Sky Elite FF 2
Asics is among the top and the biggest volleyball shoe-making brands globally. The SKY Elite FF2 is the most popular, premium, and best ASICS volleyball shoe. The SKY Elites have got all the features of the best volleyball shoe.
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, I have noticed the following things:
The shoe design looks 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 but also adequately thick.
Nike has used one of the advanced technology i.e. Zoom for the midsole construction
Positive Points
Comfortable
Excellent traction
Great cushioning support
Agile and supportive in lateral movements
Negative Points
Expensive
Not fit for liberos due to high heels.
Recommended For
To me, these are allrounder shoes, but for keeping a possible margin of error I would recommend these shoes for outside hitters, opposite hitters, middle blockers, and setters due to cushioning.
Best Volleyball shoes– Runner Up
Mizuno Wave Momentum-2
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 my favorite qualities.
The shoe’s upper and tongue are one piece and maintain a sock-like feel.
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 For
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 plus 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
3rd Position
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.
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 distance 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
Less shock absorption
Recommended Use
These are one of the best shoes in terms of Comfort, performance, durability, and versatility. Best for setter and middle blockers
4th Position
Nike Hyperace 2
Nike Hyperace is a specially designed volleyball shoe by Nike.
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.
She was not very responsive and sticky
Positive Points
Cushioning
Stability
Comfortable and durable
Shock Absorption
Negative Points
Less sticky
Narrower Base
Recommended Use
Nike Huperacce 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.
5th Position
Mizuno Wave Lightning Z6
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.
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 obviously 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
These shoes are good for setters as they support lateral movements with a good grip and adequate cushioning for the setter.
6th Position
Nike Hyperset
After looking at first glance these shoes look quite good in design and resemble more to a basketball shoe.
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
Good Traction
Adequate cushioning
Breathable
Negative Points
Bulkier
Less shock absorption
Not easily available
Recommended Use
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, due to less shock absorption, I will recommend these shoes for setters as they are not on too high jumps compared to outside hitters.
7th Position
Adidas Crazyflight Mid
These are the famous volleyball shoe and various pro players are spotted wearing these shoes.
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 play as a libero used these shoes and has observed as:
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
8th Position
Adidas Stabil Next Generation
9th Position
Adidas Harden Vol. 06
Adidas harden vol 6 is 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 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
Negative Points
Less sticky on gym floors
Narrow in the toe box
10th Position
Asics Netburner Ballistic FF MT 3
Netburner Ballistic FF3 is the upgraded version of Netburner Ballistic FF2. This time the focus of the ASICS is speed and explosiveness.
Features and Design
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
The shoe has adequate padding in the collar and tongue area which gave a comfortable and snug feeling to my foot.
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.
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
Not for heavy athletes
Key characteristics of volleyball shoes (Buying Guide)
In volleyball, like any other sport, players have different roles and positions such as setters, hitters, and liberos, and so do the shoes. In addition to the roles and volleyball positions, body weight and foot structure is also important factor in shoe selection.
So, the features of the shoe may vary according to the need and requirements of the player and the playing position.
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.
Shock Absorption
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 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 especially 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 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 then 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 shoe then give a try to 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 volleyball shoes have breathable mesh material upper yet 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What volleyball shoes do professional players wear?
There is a diversity in using volleyball shoes by pro players. Players of different countries use different volleyball shoe brands including Mizuno, Nike, Adidas, and Asics.
Yogi Nishida of Japan wears ASICS Sky Elite FF 2. Famous French spiker Earvin N’Gapeth was wearing Adidas Dame 08 shoes against Italy in National League 2022 at Ottawa.
Most of the US team players wear Nike volleyball shoes. US setter Micah Christenson was spotted wearing Nike React Hyperset in a match against France.
Players of Italy wearing Mizuno, Nike, and Adidas shoes. On the other hand, most of the Argentinian players including Vicentin, Loser, and Palacios were wearing Mizuno Wave Momentum 2.
What are the key characteristics of volleyball shoes?
In volleyball, like any other sport, players have different roles and positions such as setters, hitters, and liberos. The requirement of 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 is also important factor in shoe selection.
So, the features of the shoe may vary according to the need 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.
