Being a former volleyball professional, I exactly know the importance, need, and features of the best volleyball shoes for hitters. The right pair can boost your performance, help you land those power-packed hits, and prevent unnecessary injuries.
The right pair of shoes can make a world of difference.
Now, here’s what I’ve brought for you, the 10 Best Volleyball Shoes for hitters covering all hitting positions including middle hitter (MH), opposite hitter (OPH), and outside hitter(OH).
My top choices of best volleyball shoes for hitters are:-
Asics Sky Elite FF MT 2
Mizuno Wave Momentum 2
I have also categorized the best volleyball shoes for hitters on popularity, playing level, and suitability, for Men and Women at different playing positions. Here is the list: –
Shoes
Category
Playing Level
Asics Gel Rocket
Most Popular
School, College, & Club
Asics Upcourt 5
Most Popular
School, College, & Club
Asics Net Burner FF MT
Best for OH Men
All
Adidas Crazy Flight
Best for OH Women
All
Adidas Dame 08
Best for Men MB/MH
All
Nike Air Zoom Hyperace
Best for Women MB/MH
All
Mizuno Wave Momentum
Best for Men OPH
All
Under Armour Highlight Ace
Best for Women OPH
All
List of the Best Volleyball Shoes for Hitters
Best Volleyball Shoes for Hitter- Editors Choice
ASICS SKY ELITE FF MT 2
After wearing and testing a great number of volleyball pairs available in the market I have found ASICS best of the best in terms of features, comfort, traction, cushioning, and shock absorption. Therefore, I have also placed this pair as an overall top and the best volleyball shoes.
Best Volleyball SHoe for hitters
ASICS Sky Elite FF MT-2
Excellent cushioning, breathability, hell-to-toe transition, and support. A good kick for the hitters regardless of the position.
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As regards the hitters, these are also the best volleyball hitter shoes whether it is the middle hitter, opposite hitter, or an outside hitter. This shoe has all the features and qualities required for a good volleyball hitter shoe.
Let’s have a deep dive into this awesome kick!
Features and Design
These shoes come with extra padding around the ankles, so it feels like a warm hug for your feet. The tongue of the shoe is separate from the rest and is not a one-piece like Adidas CrazyFlight or Mizuno Wave Momentum 2.
The shoe’s upper part is made of a breathable mesh material and is super cushioned for your foot comfort.
The shoe midsole contains a magical Flyte Foam material, giving excellent shock absorption.
The bottom of the shoe is made of rubber with a pattern so that you won’t be slipping and sliding around.
There’s a little blade on the upper part and a wider section below for extra support when you’re making those side moves.
The shoe has flexible edges on the sides, so your feet can move comfortably. Plus, the heels have a nice curve for smooth rolling.
Performance
Now, let’s talk about how these shoes perform in the real world:
These shoes are like acrobats for your feet – flexible and long-lasting. Whether you’re on a dusty gym floor or a clean one, these shoes stick to it like glue. Your moves will be precise.
Landing is also superb and gentle on the joints. They’re even softer than some other fancy brands like Mizunos and Adidas Crazyflight.
Shoes are also responsive when you need to change direction.
Feel that spring in your step? These shoes have it in both the heel and forefoot. You’ll get some extra oomph in your game.
Heel-to-toe transition is also good in these shoes giving you a smoothest ride.
Oh, and one tip – get them half or one size bigger. There’s so much cushioning inside that you’ll need the extra space.
In a nutshell, these Sky Elite shoes are your perfect match when it comes to performance and comfort on the court.
Recommended Position & Levels
I will recommend these shoes for all hitting positions like middles, opposite hitters, and outside hitters. I also rate these shoes as the best volleyball shoes for hitters at all levels whether it is a club, college, national, or professional level.
Note: I would also like to apprise you that these shoes are also used by many pro players at the professional level Yugi Nishida a Japanese Opposite Hitter is one among them.
Positive Points
Breathability
Excellent Heel to toe transition
Durable
Cushioning
Suitable for wide feet
Negative Points
The only negative aspect is the cost
Best Volleyball Shoes for Hitters- Runner-Up
Mizuno Wave Momentum 02
Mizuno Wave Momentum 02 is the premium and best Mizuno volleyball shoe. These are the upgraded versions of Wave Momentum with better shock absorption
RUNNER UP
Mizuno Wave Momentum-2
The ultra-lightweight, durable shoes available in the market, offer decent ankle support and optimal traction.
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Features and Design:
Starting from the top, the shoe upper is made up of a breathable mesh material with the tongue as a single piece giving a sock-like feel to the foot.
The shoe is a lightweight opinion available in the market and the durability of the shoes compared to the weight is quite surprising.
Dura shield in the toe box to minimize/protect the toe from damage in case of collision.
Performance
I have used these shoes at all hitting positions and experienced adequate traction although not to the level of Sky Elite yet it was quite decent.
The heel-to-transition of these was also decent, and the landing was smoother than the parent version i.e. Mizuno Wave Momentum.
In short, these are good volleyball shoes for hitters in terms of traction, cushioning, heel-to-toe transition, and shock absorption.
Luckily, these shoes are also good for wide-foot athletes due to the wide-toe box.
Positive Points
Comfort
Durability
Traction
Lightweight
Ankle support variant
Negative Points
Costly
Less shock absorption than Sky Elite
Recommended Position & Levels
Recommend for all hitting positions like middles, opposite hitters, and outside hitters. As regards the playing level, these shoes are the best volleyball shoes for hitters at all playing levels i.e. club, college, national, or professional level.
Wave Momentum 02 is quite near to the Sky Elite, however, I have also compared both shoes in my article on the best volleyball shoes
Most Popular Volleyball Shoes for Hitters
Considering the popularity I have shortlisted the following shoes:
Asics Gel Rocket 10- Most Popular Volleyball Shoes for Hitters
Asics Upcourt 05- Most Popular Volleyball Shoes for Hitters
ASICS Gel Rocket-10
Gel Rocket-10 is the most popular shoe being used by volleyball players. These are the up-graded versions of their prior model Gel-Rocket 09, with more stability and small differences in stitching pattern and design.
Popular HITTER shoes
ASICS Gel Rocket-10
A popular, affordable shoe, with adequate traction, stability, and shock absorption.
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Features and Design:
Flexible upper Construction to allow natural foot bending and free movement for players. In short, keeping focus on improving stability while providing a flexible fit.
Traditional tongue and breathable upper mesh for enhanced airflow to keep the feet cool and comfortable during play.
The insole of the shoe is glued inside the shoe.
Rubber outsole integrated with flex grooves to provide durable traction, support, and flexibility for agile movements on the court.
Trusstic System Technology to reduce sole unit weight while maintaining shoe structural integrity.
Heel Wrap-up for smoother landings, aiding in stability during abrupt stops.
Enhance support in the toe area with synthetic leather overlays.
GEL® Technology Cushioning for superior shock absorption in the heel
Wrap-up Outsole and Outrigger: Provide functional support during side-to-side movements. Expands contact area during landing for smoother transitions.
Traction was adequate but not to the level of Asics and Mizuno
Thanks to the gel pockets in the heel, shoes offered good shock absorption
The tongue was adequately thick and cushioned for landing
The shoe was lightweight and responsive. Even lighter than the prior version i.e. Gel-rocket 09.
Lateral support was also good but not to the level of Adidas Crazyflight. However, it is justified with so very reasonable price.
I wish they had added more arch support
Positive Points
Breathability
Traction
Flexibility and Lateral Stability
Durability
Cushioning
Budget Friendly
Negative Points
Not approved for wide feet athletes
Less Arch support
Recommended Position & Levels
Recommend for all hitting positions like middles, opposite hitters, and outside hitters. Playing Levels: club, college, national
ASICS Upcourt 05
Asics Upcourt is another popular option that’s affordable from Asics. In terms of popularity and quality, they are similar to the Gel Rocket-10. Gel Rocket, however, has added stability to the outsole.
Popular hitter shoes
Asics Upcourt-05
A lightweight, affordable, and popular kick. It has good traction, stability, and shock absorption.
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Features and Design:
As far as the features and design are concerned, they are almost the same in Upcourt as the Gel Rocket. So I will take a bird’s eye view of these:
Traditional tongue and breathable upper mesh material
Adequate padding in the collar and tongue area
Synthetic leather construction in the toe area
Glued insole
Rubber outsole for good traction and EVA midsole
No heel wrap-up
Supportive overlays for enhanced stability
Upcourt are little light as compared to the Gel Rocket with a different outsole.
Performance:
I’ve tried these shoes out on the court they were simply amazing.
The grip on these was decent on the court.
No break-in period was required.
No issues with the grip or stability, moving forward, laterally.
Upcourt 5 is a lightweight shoe. The pair I tried was 10 gm lighter than the same-size Asics Gel Rocket 10.
I observed Gel Rocket as a bit superior in quality to the Upcourt 5.
To the best of my opinion, the stitching in the front foot area is kind of prone to coming apart. Moreover, the piece along the small toe that’s glued with the sole is weak and may come apart.
The Rocket 10s look a little bit higher quality they have some nice design touches but they’re not that different from the Upcourts.
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
Comfort
Traction
Cushioning support
Economical and budget-friendly
Negative Points
Not for wide feet
Recommended Position & Levels
Recommend for all hitting positions like middles, opposite hitters, and outside hitters. Playing Levels: club, college, national
Best Volleyball Shoes for Middle Blockers/Hitters
Here are my choices of Best Volleyball Shoes for Middle Hitters/Blockers both men and women:-
Adidas Dame 08-Best Volleyball Shoes for Middle Blockers Men
Nike Zoom Hyperace 02- Best Volleyball Shoes for Middle Blockers Women
Adidas Dame-08
These are the upgraded version of Dame 07 and are basketball shoes. The previous versions of this shoe were quite stiff and solid, with the Dame 07 stiff and the Dame 06 solid.
Best vOLLEYBALL SHOES FOR MEN MB
Adidas Dame 08
Dame 08 are basketball shoes, suitable for outdoor use and offer a more affordable option compared to the Sky Elite and Wave Momentum 02.
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Features and Design:
These shoes are designed with your comfort in mind.
They’ve got thick padding in the collar area, which means your ankles will feel snug and cozy.
The upper and tongue are made from the same breathable mesh material, giving you a consistent and comfortable fit.
The sole has rounded edges, which makes moving in them feel smooth, and the toe box is nice and wide, allowing your toes to spread out comfortably.
Plus, they’ve added a more pronounced outrigger, which is important for stability, especially for your ankles and knees.
Adidas went with bounce technology instead of boost, making these shoes more responsive and springier, giving you a lively feel.
Even though the heel counter is firm, it’s still flexible, so your heel stays secure without any annoying rubbing.
And if you’ve got wider feet, these shoes are just the right width for you. So, all in all, a great choice for comfort and support.
Performance:
The ankle support and stability in these shoes were top-notch.
They did a great job of absorbing shocks and had a nice springy feel.
Traction was solid on clean hardwood gym floors and sports courts, but it wasn’t the best on dusty floors. I’d recommend keeping some shoe cleaner or grip spray handy if you’re playing on a dusty surface.
What I liked about these shoes was the upper – it was lighter and more flexible compared to the Dame 7.
This meant my foot could move freely in all directions, making it easier for me to make those quick defensive moves where I needed to turn and step at a steep knee angle.
And the best part? I felt snug and comfortable in these shoes without any rubbing against my feet – no discomfort in the heel, sides, soles, or toes.
Now, it’s worth noting that the sole of these shoes is on the thicker side, which is normal for basketball shoes but not so common for volleyball shoes. This made me feel quite high off the ground.
The tongue of the shoe was also just the right thickness, keeping the laces in place without pressing on the foot, unlike some other shoes.
And if you have wider feet, these shoes are a solid choice.
Positive Points
Cushioning
heel-to-toe transition
Springiness
traction
Ankle support
Negative Points
Bulkier
Recommended Position & Levels
Position: Best volleyball shoes for men middle hitters and middle blockers Playing level: All playing levels i.e. club, college, national, and professional.
Nike Zoom Hyperace 02
Nike Hyperace 02 was tested by one of my team members who played as a middle-blocker woman.
Here are her thoughts about these shoes:-
Best vOLLEYBALL SHOES FOR WOMEN MB
Nike Zoom Hyperace-02
Specially designed volleyball shoes by Nike. Very comfortable, cushiony, and durable. A good option for hitters.
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Features and Design:
The design of the shoe is pretty simple, featuring a textured pattern all around.
You’ll notice a bold, long Nike logo on the side.
The upper is crafted from breathable mesh material, to ensure feet comfort.
The tongue of the shoe is not one piece with the upper but is still adequately thick and comfortable.
Moreover, the collar area contains adequately thick padding.
Nike has also incorporated advanced Zoom technology into the midsole construction for added performance.
Performance:
First things first, putting these shoes on is easy-peasy, and you don’t need to break them in.
They feel snug and comfy, and the padding around the top part is thicker comfortable.
These shoes have a thicker sole, which made me feel a bit high off the ground.
The good part is they’re great at absorbing shocks, so you land comfortably.
They didn’t squeeze my feet or cause any rubbing, and there was enough room for my feet to move without slipping during side-to-side or forward movements.
When it comes to preventing ankle twists, these shoes do a good job.
But when you need to change direction quickly, they’re not the quickest. They lack that sticky and responsive feeling you want for rapid moves.
Therefore, I will not recommend these shoes for liberos
So, the bottom line, these shoes are comfy, shock-absorbent, and good at preventing ankle injuries, but they’re not the best for lightning-fast moves like those of Liberos.
Position: Best volleyball shoes for women middle hitters and middle blockers Playing level: All playing levels i.e. club, college, national, professional.
Best Volleyball Shoes for Outside Hitters (OH)
My choices for the best volleyball shoes for outside hitters are:
Asics Net Burner Ballistic FF- Best Volleyball Shoes for Outside Hitters Men
Adidas Crazyflight-Best Volleyball Shoes for OH Women
Asics Net Burner Ballistic
Best vOLLEYBALL SHOES FOR MEN OH
Asics Net Burner Ballistic
A good shoes for outside hitters offering shock absorption, lateral support, and traction.
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Adidas Crazyflight
Adidas Crazyflight is also among the most popular women’s volleyball shoes available in the market. These are also premium Adidas volleyball shoes and are widely used at all playing levels.
Best vOLLEYBALL SHOES FOR WOMEN OH
Adidas Crazyflight
Specially designed volleyball shoes by Adidas. Very comfortable, cushiony, and durable. A good option for hitters.
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Features and Design
The upper part of the shoe features a mesh material with a synthetic leather toe cap for added abrasion resistance and reinforcement.
For excellent grip on indoor surfaces, the rubber outsole is designed to be multidirectional.
Now, the tongue area of the shoe maintains a sock-like appearance, all as one unit like the Mizuno wave momentum and lightning.
To enhance the lateral support, an EVA stability frame is included along the sides of the shoe.
In the midsole department, the Crazy Flight comes equipped with Boost cushioning, which is top-tier when it comes to cushioning and is considered the best in Adidas’ lineup.
What sets these shoes apart is the incredible energy return thanks to Adidas BOOST technology, which fuses energy capsules to keep your feet moving with power and momentum.
It’s also worth noting that these shoes are made with recycled content, with at least 50% of the upper featuring recycled materials. This is part of Adidas’ commitment to reducing plastic waste.
Performance:
These shoes offer a slim and comfortable fit. They come with a snug “booty sock” design that wraps around your foot, providing excellent ankle support, comfort, and stability.
Thanks to the EVA stability frame, these shoes excel in providing stability during lateral movements.
The grip of the shoe is decent in all directions, although it’s not the best on dusty floors.
Once again, that “booty sock” design comes through, offering good support to the ankle while ensuring comfort and stability.
Lastly, these shoes are breathable and well-ventilated, keeping your feet comfortable during your sports activities.
Positive Points
Breathability
Flexible
Cushioning
Good lateral support
Slim fit
Negative Points
Shock absorption needs improvement for men
Recommended Position & Levels
Position: Best volleyball shoes for women outside hitters Playing level: Club, College, National, Professional.
Best Volleyball Shoes for Opposite Hitter
Mizuno Wave Momentum– Best for Men Opposite Hitters
Under Armour – Best for Women Opposite Hitters
Mizuno Wave Momentum
As stated earlier, these are the parent versions of Mizuno Wave Momentum 02. They have the same design as Mizuno 2 i.e. breathable upper mesh, tongue as one piece, dura shield protected toe box, wide from the toe box.
Best vOLLEYBALL SHOES FOR MEN OPH
Mizuno Wave Momentum
A decent volleyball shoe in terms of cushioning, ankle support, weight, and traction.
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Performance:
If you’ve got wider feet like mine, consider yourself lucky. These shoes are a perfect fit for us. They’re true to size and a comfortable option.
What’s great is that they not only fit comfortably but also give you that secure feeling without making you feel cramped.
The material is flexible and snug, so it feels like the shoe is giving your foot a gentle grip, keeping everything in place and preventing any awkward shifting inside.
I didn’t need to break them in. The front and middle parts of the shoe are just as flexible as the rest, which is fantastic, especially when you need to make those quick jumps and sprints.
They offered excellent shock absorption without feeling overly soft and mushy like some other brands out there.
When it comes to traction, it’s pretty standard and does the job well on sports courts. However, on dusty hardwood floors, I did notice a bit of slipping, so keep that in mind.
Now, let’s talk about ankle support – it’s top-notch with these shoes.
You’ve got plenty of freedom for those lightning-fast changes in direction. Pushing off laterally feels super responsive, and your foot and ankle always feel rock-solid throughout your moves.
About the midsole – It’s stiff enough to give you a smooth roll from heel to toe when you jump, but not so stiff that it messes with your natural movements.
You get a nice bounce and speed, although not that extra spring you might find in shoes like the Dame 8’s.
In a nutshell, I had a great time with these shoes and felt them light, flexible, supportive, and comfy, and they have a wild look.
Positive Points
Comfortable
Durable
Good traction
Lightweight and bounciness
Ankle support
Negative Points
Costly
Shock absorption is less than Mizuno Wave Momentum 2
Recommended Position & Levels
Position: Best volleyball shoes for Men Opposite hitters Playing level: Club, College, National, Professional.
Under Armour Highlight Ace
Best vOLLEYBALL SHOES FOR WOMEN OPH
Under Armour HighlightAce
Excellent ankle support, with adequate cushioning and traction. One of the best options for the women opposite hitters.
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Recommended Position & Levels
Position: Best volleyball shoes for women Opposite hitters Playing level: Club, College, National, Professional.
What are the requirements of volleyball shoes for hitters (Middles, Opposites, and Outsides)?
The shoe requirements for this position are quite the same due to the job descriptions of these players. Regardless of the number of spikes and blocks, all the players participate in hitting and blocking while playing in the first row of the volleyball court.
Moreover, we can also break down the shoe requirements for each player which are as under:-
Middle Blockers:
The middle blockers are primarily involved in blocking and spiking. Whereas they are in the backcourt to receive the serve but this is not a very common phenomenon as compared to blocking and front-row hitting.
It is also important to note that the middle hitters are usually the taller guys and do extensive jumping while blocking the opponent hitters. So the best volleyball shoes for the middle blocker should have the following characteristics: –
Impact Protection: Important for the minimal strain or impact on the joints
Bounciness: It is necessary for facilitating the middle hitters in vertical jump. Shoes having good bounce give a thrust to the player while jumping thus facilitating his movement.
Ankle protection: Another important characteristic of the best volleyball shoes for middle is the ankle protection. The shoes with high-top variants safeguard the ankle from rolling or twisting.
Outside Hitters
The job of the outside is to spike the ball and receive the serve in the backcourt. They are all-around players and have to spike, block, and play at defense. Whereas, the middle blockers are primarily responsible for blocking and hitting. So the shoe requirement of the outside hitter is additional to the middle blockers.
They need a shoe that is supportive of lateral movements like Adidas Crazyflight, Mizuno Wave Momentum, and Asics Sky Elite. However, the other requirements like traction, bounce, and shock absorption remain the same.
Opposite Hitters
To the best of my experience and knowledge, the shoe requirements for the opposite hitters are the same as that of the middle blockers. Their shoes should be good enough to protect and prevent the ankle from twisting.
Once again, the general shoe requirements for the opposite hitters include traction, bounciness, and shock absorption.
Francis Wilson is the founder of Best Volleyball Shoe. He is a volleyball enthusiast and former Volleyball Player. He now shares his tons of experience and knowledge on site which he has learned in his volleyball career. The sole objective of this effort is helping in "Finding You the Best Fit"
