Excelling at volleyball takes more than a killer spike and a well-practiced dive. The right gear can elevate your game and keep injury at bay, with no bit of kit more essential than the shoes on your feet.
Whether you're setting up the perfect assist or blocking a blistering attack at the net, the best volleyball shoes provide the grip, support and cushioning to keep your game agile, comfortable and in control. More so than in many other sports, volleyball shoes aren’t just footwear – they’re a crucial tool for performance, helping you stay explosive on jumps, stable on landings and swift during those all-important plays.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top volleyball shoes available right now, highlighting standout features like enhanced traction, energy return and ankle support, which all cater to the game’s unique demands. From versatile all-arounders to the best basketball shoe to take on the net, these shoes are built to help players at all levels bring their best to every game.
What are the most important features to look out for in volleyball shoes?
How do volleyball shoes differ from other court shoes like tennis and basketball?
While some of the features of shoes from these respective sports might seem familiar, volleyball shoes have been engineered for the unique demands of the game, focusing on quick lateral movements, jumping and frequent changes in direction. Most notably, their gum rubber soles provide exceptional traction on indoor court surfaces to minimise the risk of slipping.
In contrast, tennis shoes are designed for durability and support on abrasive surfaces, with outsoles tailored for clay, grass, or hard courts. Though they provide lateral support for quick side-to-side motions, they’re often heavier than volleyball shoes.
Some enjoy playing in basketball shoes. They boast great ankle support and cushioning for high-impact landings and physical contact, while the selection is vast so there are plenty more options to choose from aesthetically speaking. But again, they tend to be heavier than shoes engineered for volleyball.
Best volleyball shoes at a glance
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Asics Metarise 2
Best for: Explosive jumps
The Asics Metarise 2 is beloved by players who like to stay close to the net, offering unmatched support for explosive verticals and dynamic movement. Designed with elite attackers and blockers in mind, the shoe merges cutting-edge innovation with a sleek, lightweight build that will quite literally help you reach new heights on the court.
Far and away its standout feature, the FlyteFoam Propel midsole lends this shoe exceptional energy return, giving your jumps extra lift while absorbing shock on landing. Its extended forefoot design, meanwhile, named the “Trampoline Pod”, further enhances the shoe’s push-off power, while Asics’ signature Gel technology in the rearfoot – which regular runners will be very familiar with – gives them excellent cushioning during intense play.
Stability is also a key priority of the Metarise 2, and a high-grip outsole aptly delivers this during quick, multidirectional movements. Importantly for those who never stray too far from the net, a snug, reinforced upper keeps feet secure through every spike, block and dive.
Buy now £220.00, Asics
Mizuno Wave Lightning NEO 3
Best for: speed and agility
Volleyball players looking for lightning-fast reactions and effortless agility need to check out the Mizuno Wave Lightning NEO 3.
Engineered for explosive movement and quick direction changes, this shoe combines premium lightweight materials with eye-catching style, making it a firm favourite on the court.
Central to its performance is Mizuno’s Wave Plate, designed to absorb the constant jump and land demands of the sport. Another standout is the sock-like upper, which isn’t just stretchable and breathable but also hugs the feet and ankles securely, allowing for excellent mobility and reduced friction for the duration of a five-set match and afternoon-long practice sessions.
A high-traction outsole gives the shoe an aggressive grip that injects pivots, sprint and dives with an extra sense of confidence. Whether you're a libero zipping across the backcourt or a spiker soaring for kills, the Wave Lightning NEO 3's responsiveness makes it an elite pick for athletes at the top of their game.
Buy now £128.00, Mizuno
Adidas Court Team Bounce 2.0
Best for: all-rounders
Decidedly less flashy than the bolder colourways and silhouettes of Asics and Mizuno, the Adidas Court Team Bounce 2.0 is a versatile choice for new and experienced volleyball players seeking an equal blend of comfort, durability and responsiveness. Whether covering the backcourt, diving for saves or attacking at the net, they offer reliable performance for all positions on the court.
At the heart of the design is Adidas’ Bounce midsole, which offers plush cushioning with a healthy amount of spring to power dynamic movements and absorb impact in jumps and landings. A lightweight mesh upper keeps things breathable, cool and comfortable during intense rallies, while reinforced overlays provide added support and durability so that they can handle the demands of more rigorous play, too.
The outsole is optimised for indoor courts, offering excellent traction to help you pivot and sprint without slipping on that glossy floor. With their clean design and dependable functionality, they’re a crowd pleasing choice and one you’re likely to see on more than one players’ feet during any given game.
Buy now £80.00, Adidas
Adidas Crazyflight 5 Indoor Shoes
Best for: Jump support
High-flying volleyball players seeking confidence that their shoes can handle all their jumps are in good hands with the Crazyflight 5s. They boast a full-length Boost midsole that has proven itself in the running arena for its energy return capabilities, absorbing impact during landings and providing plenty of spring for powerful take-offs.
So why are they better to play in than Adidas’ popular running shoe, the Ultraboost? For one, the durable, textured mesh upper is extra lightweight, while their EVA zones give them additional breathability and targeted support in the areas of the foot and ankle that need it most for volleyball specifically.
Then there’s the outsole, which features a grippy rubber compound designed for superior traction on indoor courts – much better for sharp lateral cuts and quick transitions. Another great all-rounder from the brand with three stripes, and an investment that’s sure to put a spring in your step.
Buy now £130.00, Adidas
Puma All-Pro Nitro Crowd Craze Basketball Shoes
Best: basketball shoe for volleyball
Looking for a shoe that’ll help you spike and shoot hoops? Probably not, but there is a case to be made for certain basketball shoes on the volleyball court, and the Puma All-Pro Nitro Crowd Craze is one of them.
Why? Well, they’re lighter than most, and tout much of the explosive responsiveness needed of a shoe that’ll serve you on the volleyball court. They also have a super sleek profile and advanced cushioning that’ll cater nicely to the needs of setters, liberos and all-around players who demand speed and agility.
The Nitro foam midsole also provides exceptional energy return to support fast sprints and sharp lateral movements, not forgetting soft landings after big jumps – all needed for both sports. The breathable mesh upper offers a secure, adaptive fit, too, with reinforced overlays to provide the extra support needed during multidirectional play. They even have the high-traction rubber outsole needed to stay stable on indoor courts.
Of course, another decisive reason you might opt for these basketball shoes over a volleyball-specific shoe is that basketball shoes have long been, well, much cooler. There’s a reason certain Jordan’s fetch thousands on the resale market.
For the volleyballer who values how they look on the court, the eye catching colours and slick shape of these trainers give them a style-factor many volleyball shoes lack.
Buy now £62.00, Puma
Nike React Hyperset
Best for: a secure fit
The clue’s in the name with this shoe. Engineered to enhance your ability to react quickly and move explosively during intense rallies, whatever your position on the court, the Nike React Hyperset has all bases covered and is a top choice for those who value being quick and nimble above all else.
The “react” in the name refers to Nike’s signature React foam, featured here in the midsole to facilitate impact-absorption from jumps and general cushioning around the court. Adding to the sprightly feel of this shoe, there’s also a super lightweight mesh upper to keep things comfortable for longer games.
We also love the locked-in fit provided by the shoe’s midfoot strap, which overlays an extra sense of stability and is bolstered by a durable, grippy rubber pattern adorning the shoes outsole. Big tick.
Buy now £81.99, Direct Volley
Verdict
If we had to choose just one, the fiery Asics Metarise 2 takes the kill shot. With superior support for explosive movements and unmatched lift and energy return, it has the spec to take skilled players’ games to the next level.
