Compression Athlete
7 min
Updated: Jun 10
Whether your position is outside hitter, setter, or libero, and no matter if you’re spiking, passing, or playing defense, wearing the proper footwear always benefits your game.
And when it comes to choosing the right footwear, you’ll find that a high-quality pair of volleyball shoes offers several features unique to the sport that you won’t find on an average pair of athletic shoes or trainers.
In general, volleyball shoes are designed to assist and boost the sport’s lateral and vertical movements, while also offering support and stability to prevent injury.
That’s a big job for a pair of shoes, so it likely comes as no surprise that certain volleyball shoes perform it better than others.
Here, we’ve put together a list of the Best Volleyball Shoes for 2024.
These picks will keep you light, quick, and supported on the court.
In their construction, volleyball shoes are more similar to basketball shoes than any other sport’s shoes.
And this makes sense, as both sports are played on a court and share similar footwork, jumping, and agility.
However, volleyball shoes differ slightly from basketball shoes and other athletic shoes.
If you think of all the action in volleyball from attacking to blocking to serving, and more, volleyball players spend a lot of time on the balls of their feet in order to perform skilled and agile moves.
EVA midsoles, a foam-like material, is common in volleyball shoes to support the ball of the foot.
Impact cushioning, upper ankle support, and rubber soles for traction, are all typical features of a quality volleyball shoe to assist your movement and protect your body.
Seeing as how injury to feet and ankles is a primary concern in volleyball, shoes that can reduce slippage, cushion jumps, and stabilize the foot and ankle will keep you in top form on the court.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
The Adidas Crazyflight Mid Volleyball Shoes feature a unique energy-returning Boost Midsole that provides ignition for jumps and cushion for landings. These volleyball shoes have a regular fit, knitted inner sock, and Top Grip rubber outsole.
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Adidas’ Crazyflight Mid Volleyball Shoes have an ankle-hugging mid-cut design that provides a stable platform for twisting, turning, and lateral movements. These volleyball shoes utilize a durable and lightweight mesh upper and a TPU-reinforced midfoot for great support.
The Adidas Crazyflight Volleyball Shoes feature a three-quarter-length energy-returning BOOST midsole cushioning that’s framed by EVA for superior sideways stability. These volleyball shoes have a regular fit and comfortable suede lining.
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Adidas’ Crazyflight Volleyball Shoes sport a sleek and lightweight design with a Top Grip rubber outsole for quick movements around the court. These volleyball shoes have a breathable feel and a TPU-reinforced midfoot for great support.
The Nike HyperAce 3 Volleyball Shoes feature a sleek and quick design with a forefoot Air Zoom unit that provides superior comfort and responsiveness. These volleyball shoes sport a multidirectional traction pattern for improved court grip.
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Nike’s HyperAce 3 Volleyball Shoes utilize a lightweight and breathable upper, an internal webbing system to secure your foot, and a plush collar for extra ankle support. These volleyball shoes are available in multiple team color options.
The Nike Zoom HyperAce 2 Volleyball Shoes feature a foam midsole with Nike’s Zoom Air cushioning that’s lightweight and provides responsive cushioning. These popular volleyball shoes have a durable rubber tread for superior traction and fast reactions.
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Nike’s Zoom HyperAce 2 Volleyball Shoes have a breathable textile and synthetic construction, along with a heel cage that enhances your stability and support while on the court.
The Nike React HyperSet Volleyball Shoes feature soft and springy React foam for incredible energy return and quickness. These volleyball shoes utilize an adjustable lateral strap and Flywire technology to securely hold your foot in place.
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Nike’s React HyperSet Volleyball Shoes sport a rubber sole for superior traction on the court. These volleyball shoes have a mesh and synthetic leather construction that’s lightweight and durable while offering breathable support.
The Nike HyperSpeed Volleyball Shoes use Zoom Air technology under the forefoot to deliver a propelling sensation on the court. These volleyball shoes feature a NikeSkin overlay on the toe for durability and lightweight cushioning under the toe for comfort.
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Nike’s HyperSpeed Volleyball Shoes have a lightweight and breathable design paired with rubber soles for extra grip. These volleyball shoes feature lace tighten straps for enhanced ankle support and a tongueless design for easy on/offs.
The Under Armour Ace Low Volleyball Shoes feature new Flow cushioning technology for incredible grip that’s super light and bouncy. These volleyball shoes sport a breathable IntelliKnit upper with dynamic compression for stretch and support.
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Under Armour’s Ace Low Volleyball Shoes utilize a sockliner for underfoot comfort and a molded heel and plush color for a comfortable lockdown fit. These volleyball shoes have a durable rubber-printed toe for abrasion resistance and are available in several colors.
The Under Armour Ace Highlight Volleyball Shoes feature an extra high design for superior ankle support and structure during court moves that isn’t heavy or restrictive. These volleyball shoes are available in several color options.
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Under Armour’s Ace Highlight Volleyball Shoes utilize Flow cushioning technology for incredible grip that’s super light and bouncy. These volleyball shoes sport a breathable IntelliKnit upper with dynamic compression for stretch and support.
The Mizuno Wave Momentum 3 Volleyball Shoes feature ENERZY Foam for enhanced cushioning and resilience and a signature Wave plate that disperses energy from impact while providing superior stability and cushioning on the court.
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Mizuno’s Wave Momentum 3 Volleyball Shoes utilize an optimal fit eyelet structure and a DynamotionFit Bootie Construction for a comfortable and snug fit. These volleyball shoes have high traction XG Rubber and are available in multiple color options.
The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 Volleyball Shoes feature a signature Wave design for stability and cushioning at the heel with great support and responsiveness on the court. These volleyball shoes have XG Rubber traction and Dura Shield toe protection.
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Mizuno’s Wave Momentum 2 Volleyball Shoes utilize a DynamotionFit Bootie construction for a comfortable, secure, and stable fit. These shoes have an EVA midsole for lightweight cushion and are available in 9 different colors.
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Z6 Volleyball Shoes feature an EVA midsole and a re-engineered sole for explosive movement. These volleyball shoes utilize a breathable mesh upper with a half-bootie construction to give you flexible and effortless movement.
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Mizuno’s Wave Lightning Z6 Volleyball Shoes are lightweight and allow for fast reaction. These volleyball shoes provide an extra secure balance with a stable outrigger sole.
The Asics Sky Elite 3 Volleyball Shoes feature RISETRUSS technology for faster vertical and horizontal accelerations without losing energy. These volleyball shoes utilize an energy-returning mesh that locks your foot in place for take-offs and landings.
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Asics’ Sky Elite 3 Volleyball Shoes sport FF Blast Plus Eco cushioning for a more energized bounce, a curved heel shape for smooth cuts, and a locked down feel upper construction.
The Asics Upcourt 5 Volleyball Shoes feature a flexible and comfortable design with a broader section of mesh paneling to create a soft and adaptable fit. These volleyball shoes sport a rubber outsole grip for increased traction and are available in 6 colors.
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Asics’ Upcourt 5 Volleyball Shoes have a supportive mid-foot overlay for stability during multi-directional movements and a reinforced toe and heel counter for long-lasting durability.
If you’re new to the game, you might be wondering: Do I really need a pair of volleyball-specific shoes to play? Or can I just wear a pair of athletic shoes that I already have?
Well, the answer is pretty straightforward.
If you’re playing volleyball competitively, then you absolutely need a pair of volleyball shoes to wear for both practices and games.
Volleyball shoes are designed to be lightweight and supportive, while providing cushion and traction for all the quick cuts and high-flying jumps that are performed.
Additionally, when compared to other shoes, volleyball shoes provide better ankle support to help prevent or lessen the severity of ankle injury.
In other words, you’ll definitely notice a difference between wearing a quality pair of volleyball shoes and a non-specific athletic shoe when you’re on the court.
Volleyball shoes will allow you to play at your highest level and provide support and protection while you do.
But if you don’t have volleyball shoes or you’re waiting on a new pair to arrive and don’t know what wear in the meantime, the best alternative option would be a pair of basketball shoes.
As we mentioned above, volleyball shoes and basketball shoes serve similar purposes and therefore share several design similarities.
If basketball shoes aren’t available to you either, then choose a pair of your athletic shoes that offer the best traction and ankle support.
These two areas are important when it comes to performing at a high-level and avoiding injury.
Just like with any other sport that requires agility, jumping, and quick reactions, if you choose to play volleyball without the proper gear and footwear, you run the risk of injury.
A great pair of volleyball shoes isn’t the only volleyball essential that you’ll need. Be sure to check out our top picks for the best volleyball shorts and the best volleyball knee pads.
Get ready for volleyball season with the best gear using our Complete Volleyball Checklist.