Best Shoes for Volleyball

The goal in volleyball is to achieve a great spike into the other team’s court. As this requires a lot of jumps and sharp movements, the selection of supportive shoes comes into play. It may not be the first thing on most people’s minds, but suitable shoes for volleyball are vital to the team’s success. It is rather difficult to move around and focus on the task at hand if you are stressing excessively over poorly designed and ill-fitting shoes.

Looking for the perfectly-fitting shoes for volleyball can be overwhelming as there are hundreds, if not thousands of brands, styles, and models available in the market. While this endeavor seems next to impossible, we’ve evaluated and compiled the five best options based on certain criteria:

Nike Air Force 1

Nike Air Visi Pro Vi

Adidas Originals NMD xr1 Pk

Under Armour Lockdown 4

BRONAX Stylish Graffiti

Proper knowledge of what to look for in ideal volleyball shoes can help support your sporting abilities. Otherwise, you won’t achieve maximum performance and stability, let alone comfort. Volleyball shoes shouldn’t just be shoes; in fact, shoes should also help minimize the frequency of ankle sprains. Emphasis must be placed on wearing the right shoes for safe and memorable gameplay.

Nike Air Force 1

As a reputable brand that delivers innovative products and services to athletes since 1982, Nike has created its trademark trainers- Nike Air Force 1. The trainers are a combination of leather and synthetic materials with a solid rubber sole. It comes with a footbed alongside the Nike Air technology. This technology is known to have pivot points for optimum movement in all directions. For a more premium look, the laces of the shoes display a metal “AF-1” tag. Because the design features overlays, fine detailing, and crisp edges, you get a comfortable and supportive fit when wearing the shoes. There are also perforations to make sure that your feet stay well-ventilated.

When it comes to options, there are 27 different styles and colors to choose from. If you are training for a volleyball match, the Nike Air Force 1 is just the right pair for your every need.

Nike Air Visi Pro Vi

The second Nike pair of shoes for volleyball on the list is the Nike Air Visi Pro Vi. This ankle-length footwear is designed with breathability in mind, thanks to its fully breathable synthetic material. The upper is cushioned for ankle support during high intensity running, jumping, and others. You have two options- the black or blue Nike Air Visi Pro Vi. Whichever you choose, the supportive design and well-cushioned insides will keep you supported, protected, and comfortable while you move up and down the volleyball court.

Still, the Air Visi Pro Vi features Nike’s trademark Air technology to ensure that there is enough cushion for your heels during impact. There are also air perforations to allow more breathable space for your feet. Overall, the shoes live up to the general expectation that Nike is a name tied to performance, durability, and comfort.

Adidas Originals NMD xr1 Pk

Adidas is also a big name in the sports industry, which is glued to performance and reliability. Their Originals NMD xr1 Pk is the most comfortable shoes for volleyball. It is made from 100% breathable and flexible fabric with a solid rubber sole. It also features a Prime Knit upper side, which offers maximum enhanced fitting for your feet.

The aesthetic design of the shoes gives it a modern look alongside the innovative technology used for maximum support. On top of it all, EVA midsole inserts provide maximum cushion, and TPU midfoot cage offers an extremely cozy fit. You can choose from a wide range of options as the Adidas Originals NMD xr1 features 44 different colors and patterns in design.

Under Armour Lockdown 4

Just like the previous shoes for volleyball, the Under Armour Lockdown 4 is made from 100% synthetic materials and comes with a solid rubber sole. As an athletic pair of shoes, it looks fast and fit even at first glance. If not for its synthetic mold, it is impossible to say that the pair delivers performance.

Under Armour designed the shoe using perforated leather to maximize the air circulation or breathability of your feet. The shoes are very light in weight and come with plenty of cushioning. Due to the EVA midsole, there is relief in wearing the shoes for hours without worrying about an achy foot. Anyone who wears the Under Armour Lockdown 4 is comfortably placed in its inner soles.

The outer of the shoes are made of rubber and comes with multilevel traction patterns. This means that when you have excessive movements on the volleyball court, you will not lose control or slip easily.

BRONAX Stylish Graffiti

These shoes for volleyball are sure to turn every player’s eyeballs. The BRONAX Stylish Graffiti has rubber soles that make it comfortable. As for the size, it caters to average feet. These shoes are easy to slip and off. Besides, there are shoelaces and tongue collar that promise comfortable padding and fit. The durable rubber sole is great for ensuring good posture, stability, and balance. With these shoes, you can expect 9 different variations of colors and styles.

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Before you go out and purchase the first decent looking pair of volleyball shoes, note that it should tick most of the boxes. Below is a breakdown of the most important aspects to a pair of volleyball shoes:

OUTSOLE

Volleyball shoes take a beating, especially with all the ups, downs, hard landings, and constant pressure on the volleyball court. If you aren’t wise enough to choose a pair made from the best materials, your shoes will most likely give out on you in the middle of the game. This could lead to foot and ankle related injuries and other consequences. This is the reason why the outsole is an important aspect to look for in a pair of volleyball shoes. The poorly designed outsole will lose traction due to constant rubbing. What’s worse is that it will become stretched out, affecting the fit.

STABILITY

Your shoe of choice should be able to support sudden side-to-side movements while playing volleyball. This is typically done from the balls of your feet; hence, the midsole should be supportive enough. The midsole takes most of the force generated in a game that it needs to be able to stand up against such demand. Also, the midsole should provide the level of flexibility needed for movement. This is the reason why EVA and Gel materials are highly appreciated, as well as air pocket technologies.

BREATHABILITY

The need for breathable shoes is the same for athletic shoes, casual shoes, and work shoes. You work and sweat yourself enough that the last thing you want is to have smelly feet. With the right amount of airflow and ventilation, this is not an issue. No amount of moisture gets trapped even with a closed-in shoe.

For the upper, limited overlays and mesh-like materials are needed. This is provided that there are enough vents to allow good airflow. Along with this are moisture-wicking properties and anti-heat build-up features.

FIT

In addition to the factors mentioned above, the fit is vital to the overall performance of your volleyball shoes. One of the reputable brands that will most likely get a high score regarding fit is Nike. This brand has been known to design shoes that are true-to-size skillfully. Knowing your foot size will also help you make a better decision.

So, how can I determine that my pair of volleyball shoes have the right fit? It has the right fit if:

It doesn’t give you any amount of discomfort.

You can freely move and flex your toes.

The grip is enough to prevent slips.

There is an ample amount of ankle support.

COST

Consider your budget when buying shoes for volleyball. Price ranges from one brand to another, but this doesn’t mean that a more expensive pair is always better than the average-priced shoes. There are still affordable options for high-quality that deliver and perform well during volleyball games.