How to Choose the Best Volleyball Shoes

Volleyball is a dynamic sport with different types of movements that call for its own specific shoes. Some critical factors to consider when selecting a pair of volleyball shoes include weight, support, grip, and cushioning. Every player has a unique set of feet with different characteristics. You need to find a pair of shoes that works for your feet.

The Importance of Volleyball Shoes

Volleyball shoes are important because they provide support for the different kinds of movements players must make on the court. Abrupt changes of direction, jumping, and lateral movement are part of the game. Different positions require different types of volleyball shoes because their roles might involve more jumping or lateral movement.

Necessary Features of a Volleyball Shoes

There are 4 characteristics you should look for in a good pair of volleyball shoes: stability, weight, cushioning, and ventilation.

Grip: Because volleyball requires quick movements, directional changes, and jumping, it’s important to have a shoe that has good traction to help support your feet. You shouldn’t be slipping on the floor.
Weight: Despite the extra features volleyball shoes require, your shoes should be airy and lightweight. That allows you to pivot, move laterally, and jump easily. You shouldn’t “feel” the shoes on your feet when you are playing.
Cushioning: The inside of your shoes should be comfortably cushioned to help absorb the impact from running, jumping, and making quick cuts.
Ventilation: Your shoes should be well ventilated, with sweat-wicking material that will keep your feet comfortable and dry during matches.

Parts of a Volleyball Shoe

Volleyball shoes have some unique parts that help players deal with the stress that comes from the frequent stops and starts and jumping required for a game. There are 4 different components to a volleyball shoe: the outsole, the insole, the mid-sole and the upper section.

Outsole: The outsole is the bottom of your shoe. Many volleyball shoes are made with Herringbone traction. Herringbone refers to a zig-zag pattern on the outer sole that allows you to plant your shoes but still change directions rapidly.
Insole: The insole is the part of the sole that directly touches your feet and is inside the shoe. It’s supportive of your whole foot. Since this is where the weight of your body is absorbed, it’s important to have a quality insole that doesn’t cause discomfort when you run or jump.
Upper: The upper of a shoe is all the material that attaches to the sole of your shoe. It’s usually made of mesh or some other material that breathes easily. Since this part of the shoe covers your foot, it needs to fit comfortably.
Mid-Sole: The mid-sole supports your whole foot. A good mid-sole has air cushions and gels that give plenty of support. Extra cushioning makes the mid-sole thicker, creating more support and shock absorption.

There are 4 features that you should consider when buying your shoes.

Toe Cap: A toe cap is extra reinforcement at the front of the shoe. It should be durable enough to protect your toes from bruising and abrasions that can occur from unpredictable movements. Because volleyball players spend so much time on their toes, a toe cap is important for some players.
Mesh Panels: Lightweight mesh panels that are breathable and durable are components of a good volleyball shoe. Synthetic panels help ventilate the shoes, allowing air to flow through.
Ankle Support: This includes additional foam support around your ankle to help reduce the impact from jumping. It should be comfortable and lightweight to help reduce the added stress that occurs when you jump and make quick lateral movements.
Forefoot Cushioning: You should have lightweight foam in the front of your shoe to help reduce the impact on the front of your feet and your toes. Players who tend to land on the front of their feet when jumping might want to wear a shoe with additional cushioning.

How Volleyball Shoes Should Fit

You should choose your volleyball shoes based on what’s best for your feet. Some important factors to consider when selecting the shoe that works best for you include the sole, its weight, how much support it provides, whether your feet are narrow or wide, and what kind of surface you are playing on.

Sole: Knowing whether your feet are flat or have a medium/high arch can make a difference in the type of sole you want. You’ll want to have support that is tailored to your arch, which is your insole. Hitters who jump and attack might want a shoe that has more midsole support, which helps them absorb impact. The midsole is the cushioning underneath the insole. A setter makes quick movements to get to the ball. They might want shoes that are lighter and grip the floor well, which means making sure they have a quality outsole.
Feet Width: Your shoes should fit comfortably. There should be room for movement inside your shoes, but they should fit your feet snugly. Your performance could be affected if you have shoes that are uncomfortable.
Surface: If you play outside on concrete or asphalt, you’ll need a sturdier shoe. You may replace your volleyball shoes within a year if you use them 3 to 5 times a week. That number varies based on the type of surface you play on.

Care & Maintenance of Volleyball Shoes

Volleyball shoes should only be worn for practice or matches, so don’t wear them for different sports. That adds wear to the shoes, and they’ll get dirtier. The biggest factor that affects your shoes and that can affect your performance is dirty soles. You can lose traction with dirty shoes. Often, your shoes gather debris and dust from the floor. You can remove the dirt with a toothbrush, or soft brush. To eliminate odor, sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and let them sit for a few hours. You can also wash the laces separately when they get soiled. Don’t machine wash the shoes because they could shrink. Instead, use a brush, some mild detergent, and water to clean the outside of your shoes, and then let them air dry.