14 Best Volleyball Shoes (Review) In 2022

- 1. ASICS Women’s Gel Upcourt Volleyball Shoes
- 2. Nike Women’s Volley Zoom Hyperspike Volleyball Shoes
- 3. Nike Women’s Air Zoom Hyperace Volleyball Shoes
- 4. ASICS Gel Rocket 5
- 5. Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt Volleyball Shoe
- 6. ASICS Men’s Gel-Tactic Volleyball Shoe
- 7. Under Armour Women’s Highlight Ace Volleyball Shoe
- 8. ASICS Men’s Netburner Ballistic Volleyball Shoes
- 9. Adidas Men’s Dame 5
- 10. Adidas Performance Women’s Energy Volley Boost Shoe
- 11. Mizuno Wave Lightning Z4
- 12. Mizuno Wave Tornado X2
- 13. ASICS Gel-Netburner Ballistic Volleyball Shoe
- 14. Mizuno Men’s Wave Voltage Indoor Court Shoe
It’s time to hit the court, but you’re ill-equipped because your last pair has worn out. Let’s fix that. If you’ve ever been wondering what goes into the best volleyball shoes, allow us to enlighten you—there needs to be immense support for your arches, heels and ankle, as well as comfort, breathability, and… well, why don’t we just show you what we’re talking about? These are the absolute best volleyball shoes for both men and women. We’ve taken a look at what athletes use, what doctors recommend for arch support, and every little detail in between. Picking the right volleyball gear just got a whole lot easier for you.
The Best Volleyball Shoe
1. ASICS Women’s Gel Upcourt Volleyball Shoes

100% synthetic construction
Non-marking rubber outsole
Easy to clean
ASICS is known by those in the healthcare industry as one of the best shoes to be on your feet in for twelve-hour shifts, but they also make stellar volleyball shoes as well. This lightweight pair is designed to reduce—and nearly eliminate—all drag when moving around on the court. They’re easy to clean and breathable, but the price range gets a bit dodgy.
Depending on your size, the price could jump up from the base to 3.0x of that price. It’s a little excessive, but they do offer a ton of sizes and half sizes to fit just about anyone. The non-marking rubber outsole and synthetic design make ASICS Women’s Gel Upcourt Volleyball Shoes durable and comfortable for long stretches of time. For more high-quality sports footwear, check out our guide to the best ultimate frisbee cleats.
Ultralight design makes them a dream come true on the court
Wide range of sizes available (including half sizes)
3.0x price range dependent on size
Heel cup imperfections are common (does not makes shoes unusable)
2. Nike Women’s Volley Zoom Hyperspike Volleyball Shoes

Synthetic exterior design
Comfortable rubber insole
TPU heel reinforces stability while moving
Volleyballs sneakers never sounded so cool, huh? Nike makes excellent shoes, but they’re not without fault. In Nike Women’s Volley Zoom Hyperspike Training Shoes, there’s a great deal of attention to heel support from the collar to the reinforced TPU heel cup, but the cushioning in the insole doesn’t provide much support at all. There should be a balance of both, not extremes of one another. Cushioning does exist in the heel, it’s just very thin.
Depending on what style you choose from, they won’t be that breathable. Traction along the outsole is top-notch though, giving you unique padding along the bottom where pressure-activated points grip the court (or ground) beneath your feet, giving you unparallel control over your own movements. A solid shoe with an agreeable price range, but one that could have been improved upon. If you are also a fan of golf, you will definitely like some of the best golf shoes from our list, so be sure to check them out.
Unique traction padding on the outsole provides superior grip
Padded tongue reduces chafing or irritation during break-in period
Not as breathable as they look
Minimal heel cushioning on insole
3. Nike Women’s Air Zoom Hyperace Volleyball Shoes

Fully synthetic construction
Easy pull-on tabs on the heel cup
Synthetic insole
Indoor volleyball shoes need ridiculous grip to clutch the waxes floors of a court, and Nike’s got you covered. Nike Women’s Air Zoom Hyperace shoe includes a TPU cage that runs along the entire bottom of your foot, offering an extra wall of support where you need it most. The issue with that is that the break-in period is pretty long, about a month or so. That’s a testament to the durability of the shoe, but it can still be a rough adjustment period.
The Ultralight Zoom air system means you’ll have relatively no drag on your shoes, which is fantastic for all applications. When it comes to the price tag, it fluctuates based on sizing and style, so you’ll encounter big jumps in the final subtotal. While that can be a bit aggravating, this is one shoe that you’ll have for five or six years before needing to replace them, so the quality is definitely worth it. Our guide to the best wrestling shoes features more great sports footwear like this.
TPU cage provides equal stability across your entire foot
Ultralight Zoom air cushioning system
Wide price range up to 4.30x
Long break-in period
4. ASICS Gel Rocket 5

Durable rubber insole
Leather and mesh construction
Pressure-reducing Trusstic System in place
ASICS is at it again, providing optimal levels of comfort and support to those who need it most. ASICS Gel Rocket 5 volleyball shoe comes with their COURT system, or as it’s better known, the gel cushioning system. This provides shock resistance, stability, and makes the insole of these shoes last for absolute ages. One thing that won’t last is the laces: they’re stock laces that get dirty quickly, and the aglets will chip soon after use.
There’s a pressure-reducing system in place to distribute impact all across the outer shell of the shoe, as well as a removable sock liner that’s easy to clean. The sock liner is designed with orthopedics in mind, so you’d do well to take good care of it to get the most out of your shoes. We only wish that ASICS had made these in a wider variety of sizes, because as of right now, you can only get them in narrow. If you are also a fan of individual sports, check out our guide to the best racquetball shoes.
Extra cushioning and support from the gel padding
Removable orthodontic sock liner is supportive and easy to clean
Laces get dirty quickly
Designed exclusively for narrow feet
5. Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt Volleyball Shoe

Completely synthetic construction
Non-marking rubber outsole
Comfortable rubber insole
Girls volleyball shoes have this horrible habit of coming in narrow sizes, and few brands create a wide shoe. Mizuno fits in that category, because these definitely fit narrow. If that’s okay by you, you’ll be able to enjoy the AP+ midsole system that’s in place to absorb major amounts of shock throughout your games. Thanks to a synthetic construction and a non-marking rubber outsole, Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt Volleyball Shoes are durable enough to last for years of use.
One oddity about these shoes is that they come with very short laces. It’s recommended to replace them with older laces, or buy new ones when you order these shoes. They come out to be just a bit too short to make a double knot. Stick every landing from your jumps and leaps with the flex grooves on the bottom of the shoe, and serve like a champion. For fitness enthusiasts, we have prepared the selection of the best spin class shoes, so be sure to check them out.
Mizuno AP+ midsole absorbs shock like nobody’s business
Flex grooves on the bottom of your shoes stick
Only designed for narrow feet
Short laces need to be replaced
6. ASICS Men’s Gel-Tactic Volleyball Shoe

Strictly designed with synthetic materials
Comfortable and durable rubber insole
3” shaft measurement from arch
ASICS took the top spot for best sneakers for volleyball, and they just keep on dotting the landscape here—these come with equal levels of support, but a bit of a deficit on comfort. You’ll have an excellent rubber outsole to grip the court as you glide around, while the toe box keeps everything nice and snug in the best way possible. However, cushioning is minimal across the entire shoe, from the tongue padding to the collar.
It’s not recommended to wear ankle socks with ASICS Men’s Gel-Tactic Volleyball Shoe for that reason. Support is top-notch thanks to the Gel-Tactic system, which helps to absorb shock throughout the entire shoe. Men typically have wider feet than women, so this is designed to cradle impact in those specific points in your feet. Synthetic construction, durability to last for 2-3 years, and an excellent price range regardless of size. It’s a step down from our top pick, but still an outstandingly viable shoe for prime volleyball performance. You may also like some of the best cross country shoes from our list, so check them out.
Gel-Tactic system absorbs more shock near the edges of your feet (designed for men)
Easily adjustable lacing system gives you the perfect fit
Cushioning is minimal
Tongue padding leaves room to be desired
7. Under Armour Women’s Highlight Ace Volleyball Shoe

Primarily textile and synthetic materials
High top volleyball shoe design
Ultralight build for maximum mobility
High top volleyball shoes aren’t the most common thing that you’ll see, but Under Armour isn’t about what’s common; they’re all about what’s extraordinary. The performance you feel while your feet are in the Highlight Ace sneakers is stupendous, but since these are high tops, they’re going to undergo more stress than low-top sneakers. The padding in the ankle provides a two-way stretch that grants extra stability during use.
These shoes unfortunately only make it about 18 months on average, and sometimes upwards of two years. If you’re actually using them for volleyball, then you’re going to put this pair through its paces. You’ll also have to order half a size up to be on the safe side. The ultralight design keeps these prime for maximum mobility, while the quick-lacing system provides a perfect fit in record time. Excellent performance, just not a five-year pair of shoes.
Ankle cushioning and padding for two-way stretch and support
Quick-lacing system provides the perfect fit in less than ten seconds
Short lifespan; no longer than 18 months
Need to order a half-size up; not true to fit
8. ASICS Men’s Netburner Ballistic Volleyball Shoes

Mesh and rubber design
Non-marking rubber compound outsole (stronger than standard rubber)
FlyteFoam midsole technology for high impact resistance
Men’s volleyball shoes often come with the difficulty of needing to be wide, but also have enough support to withstand impact and shock. ASICS threw these together with a rubber compound outsole, which contains more actual rubber than standard shoes, and a FlyteFoam midsole technology to resist the pressures of the court. ASICS Men’s Netburner Ballistic Volleyball Shoes have a high presence of mesh, but we’re sad to report that it doesn’t add much to breathability.
The support system here is great, except when you get to your ankles. With minimal cushioning and a flat tongue pad, it’s contrasting against the other areas of the shoe that comes with immense support. You have a removable sock liner to help with cleaning and preventing fungal buildup, as well as a dual gel technology cushioning system that turns these shoes into mobile foot fortresses. If you are also a fan of winter sports, you will sure like some of the best snowboard boots from our list, so take a moment to check them out.
Removable sock liner for cleaning and prevention of microbial fungus buildup
Dual gel technology cushioning system for balanced support
Ankle support is lacking; it’s all focused on the arches and toe box
Presence of mesh doesn’t add to breathability
9. Adidas Men’s Dame 5

Textile and synthetic construction
Suede upper
Bounce cushioning system in place
Adidas can make anything look fantastic, and that’s exactly what they’re done with the Dame 5. There’s multiple styles to choose from, each emblazoned with a different version of the same logo on the outside of the tongue. That logo’s going to be the first sign of degradation on these sneakers after about a year or use, but what won’t fade is the superior rubber outsoles and suede upper collar. Performance and comfort are perfectly balanced.
Breathability is not, though—the upper provides a bit too much insulation, so your feet won’t feel that cool breeze as often as we would have liked to see. Made of textile and synthetic materials, Adidas Men’s Dame 5 are built to last for years, and the bounce cushioning system is thee to ensure support for every one of those years to come. Our guide to the best kayaking shoes features some excellent water sports shoes, so be sure to check them out.
Highly cushioned collar for maximum comfort and stability
Superior rubber outsole for maximum traction on and off the court
Gets very hot, not ventilated properly
Logo on outside of tongue deteriorates easily
10. Adidas Performance Women’s Energy Volley Boost Shoe

100% synthetic and fabric design
Non-marking rubber outsole
Rubber insole provides fair support
Some of the Best volleyball shoes out there come with a great deal of style attached as well. Adidas is the king of aesthetically appealing footwear, and this pair comes with a balance of performance and comfort that will have you feeling right at home in no time. The sprinttplate helps to stick landings and absorb shock, and works well with the non-marking rubber outsole. That’s great on the court, but it will catch debris and pebbles from walking around outside fairly easily.
Adidas Performance Women’s Energy Volley Boost Shoe only comes in a limited number of sizes though, which is a bit upsetting. If you can find a pair in your size, the synthetic and fabric design will cradle your feet perfectly, while the rubber insole gives a fair bit of support. With an abrasion-resistant exterior, these are some of the most flexible volleyball shoes we’ve ever seen. For some extra durable pairs of sports footwear, check out our reviews of the best triathlon shoes.
Sprintplate designed to stabilize your footing through jumps and landings
Flexible as any pair of volleyball shoes could ever be
Limited sizes
Non-slip tread will catch onto debris
11. Mizuno Wave Lightning Z4

100% synthetic construction
Mid-top design increases ankle coverage
Mostly made in the USA
We’re climbing down to the bottom of this list, but there are still some fantastic picks to be had. Mizuno’s Z4 pair ended up making the ranks because of its supportive arch and mid-top design. The cushioning on the toe box and around the ankle are excellent, but the rubber insole doesn’t provide much coverage at all. It’s thin, and you’ll be able to feel the design of the shoe through them. We recommend getting an additional insole.
Mizuno’s sizing and pricing are exactly what you’d like to see in a volleyball shoe. With a synthetic construction and great ankle coverage, these are designed to last you for years to come, but there are some design flaws. The wing tips will show signs of discoloration and damage fairly quickly (mostly sweat from socks and humidity), so it’s important to keep that in mind.
Dual action outsole provides enhanced traction on pressure points
Lower lacing system doesn’t constrict ankles
Rubber insole is thin; provides minor support
Wing tips on collar show signs of wear and tear quickly
12. Mizuno Wave Tornado X2

100% synthetic construction
Extra wide outsole
Made in the USA
By this point we’ve established that Mizuno is a good brand, but this sneaker hasn’t gotten a lot of love (not many reviews). After testing Mizuno Wave Tornado X2 ourselves, there’s definitely benefits and drawbacks. For one, the lacing system on this is a bit of a mess, since it’s cluttered and makes it hard to adjust it in between matches. The tongue and collar? Superior. The padding is top notch, and the support extends into the rubber insole.
When you get down to the design, it’s all about synthetic materials. That includes mesh, which would normally provide great breathability, but on the toe box it provides everything but. The extra-wide outsole helps with traction and sticking your landings, so you’ll be more confident to take a leap and land that spike over the net. You may also like some of the best parkour shoes from our list, so be sure to check them out.
Ultra cushioned tongue and collar for maximum comfort
Durable rubber insole absorbs an absolute ton of shock
Mesh toe box feels weak without providing proper ventilation
Laces system is cluttered, could be improved
13. ASICS Gel-Netburner Ballistic Volleyball Shoe

100% synthetic materials used in construction
Supportive and removable rubber insole
Durable heel cup for extended support
ASICS sure does have a way with naming these shoe models, don’t they? ASICS Gel-Netburner Ballistic Volleyball Shoes comes in with some great benefits, like the affordable and normal pricing range that anyone can agree on. Everything is built to last and made of synthetic materials, but you might have a tough time keeping it clean after each match. The white mixed with the grooves on the toe box makes it a nightmare to clear off.
There’s also a low resting point for the tongue of the shoe, which can be a bit uncomfortable at times. The rubber insole is removable for cleaning, allowing you to prevent fungal infections from extended playtimes with nearly perfect accuracy. Altogether, it’s a solid shoe and worth the money, but not the best that ASICS has put out in terms of comfort. If you are also into fitness and workout, our guide to the best cross training shoes will help you find your perfect pair.
Breathable design allows airflow in the toe box while still protecting you
Excellent pricing range for all sizes (affordable, too)
Very low tongue resting point
Difficult to clean due to excessive number of grooves
14. Mizuno Men’s Wave Voltage Indoor Court Shoe

Primary textile and synthetic build
Long lasting rubber insole
Extended shock absorption in the heel
Mens volleyball sneakers are in less supply than women’s, so when we find a good quality shoe, it’s under even more scrutiny to perform well. Mizuno Men’s Wave Voltage Indoor Court Shoe is good, but there’s a reason that it’s the bottom of our list. You get a wave plate design that helps to evenly distribute shock across your whole foot, which minimizes the impact and feeling down to nothing. It’s built out of synthetics and textiles just like other Mizuno shoes, but doesn’t hold up as long.
This shoe is good for about 18 months, and not much more than that. The Dura Shield helps keep friction at bay when you stick a landing, but it appears to be used in place of higher quality rubber on the outsole, and just doesn’t hold up as well. It’s stylish, it’s well-designed with a comfortable collar, it’s just not your forever volleyball shoe. And if dancing is also one of your favorite activities, check out our top picks of the best shoes for Zumba.
Wave plate design evenly distributes shock across all points of your foot
Dura Shield prevents floor friction, so you can keep on moving
Narrow fit (but not specified)
Average lifespan of 18 months
Volleyball Shoe Buying Guide
We’ve shown you the best volleyball shoes for men and women, but now it’s time to talk about how we came to these deliberations in the first place. We used the following methods to help in our research, and determined exactly what goes into a good quality, effective volleyball shoe. See for yourself how we created this list.
How We Chose Our Selection Of Volleyball Shoes
Brand - Shoes are really high on the list of most counterfeited items. It’s incredible what lengths people will go to. Getting an actual brand name sneaker is important because it indicates quality, warranty fulfillment, and ensures that the best materials are being used. Brand names have a reputation that allows them to stay on top, and they’re not about to risk that by giving you poorly made shoes. Nothing’s perfect, but brand names do matter when you’re picking out your volleyball shoes.
Reviews - User reviews are extremely helpful when you’re trying to determine what’s good, and what’s just garbage. While a good amount of common sense can be used when you’re shopping online, images and promises are often deceptive, so it helps to have a readily available pool of firsthand user testimonies and horror stories to gauge what is, and is not worth our time. The results? You get to pick through the cream of the crop without spending hours scouring the internet.
Price - Volleyball shoes, much like any other sporting equipment, can get pricey. You need more support, breathability, and durability than a standard pair of trainers, and the quality of those attributes will cost you. Now, we’ve done our best to keep prices in check when we curated this list, but sometimes you just have to make a decision between quality and quantity. There’s a little bit of everything in this list, so you’ll be able to choose based on your budget if you desire.
Features To Look For In Volleyball Shoes
Stability - Stability is the preface to support. You can’t have one without the other. A stable shoe will provide great traction, but also ensure that you’re confident in your steps and cradled throughout every motion you face while playing volleyball. Stability can also be attributed to the collar and heel guard. Reinforced rubber or additional cushioning on the collar can make the world of difference.
Support - Any athletic activity increases your chances of injuring yourself in ways that you just wouldn’t normally encounter in your daily life. The key to avoiding most muscle and tendon-related injuries is having ample support to cradle your pressure points, arches, and muscles while you’re sticking a landing or taking a fall. Proper support acts as a barrier between you and all the shock and pressure that comes with being out on the volleyball court.
Comfort - Just because it’s built for performance doesn’t mean you can’t also be comfortable while playing, right? Comfort isn’t the number one focus, but you have to think of all the time that you spend in transit to and from the court, as well as the intermittent periods of standing around or getting the match ready. Your shoes should provide some level of comfort for all the in-between time that’s spent when they’re not being pushed to the limits.
Breathability - You already know how bad your feet sweat while playing volleyball. We don’t need to reiterate that. Anytime someone markets their shoes as being good for sports and working out, it has to have a breathability factor to it. This all works to reduce trapped odors, insole degradation from foot sweat, as well as reduce your risk of encountering fungal infections from prolonged exposure in these warm, damp environments. It’s enormously necessary to have good breathability in your volleyball shoes.
Weight - You’re moving, you’re leaping through the air, you need to have little to no drag on your shoes. The more lightweight the construction, the better off you’re going to be. Your shoes can only get so light though, which is why it’s important to find a shoe that’s evenly distributed. All too often, sneakers have a higher concentration of weight in the heel, but that can make your footsteps feel a bit unnatural or clunky.
Durability - Do you know why dress shoes last for decades? No impact. They’re not being put through the paces, but your volleyball shoes are going to be worn down over time because you’ll actually be using them. It’s important to have a pair of shoes that you don’t have to worry about, so you can let the durability just do its thing without even thinking about it. Your durability will also dictate how long the shoes will last for before having to toss them out. Depending on your personal activity level and duration, a pair of these could last for two or more years, but hardcore use might minimize that window to 18 months.
Design - Design isn’t about style, it’s about function. The design of your volleyball shoes will include aerodynamics, breathability, sole strength and thickness, the padding on the tongue, collar padding, inseams, and literally everything else you can imagine. A poorly designed volleyball shoe is actually worse than just not wearing any, so we avoided those at all costs. The number of knock-off shoes that claim to be equipped for volleyball, but actually aren’t, are astounding.
Size - You know what your shoe size is, but how well does the company make them true to size? It’s the issue that’s been around for as long as buying clothing on the internet has existed: it’s not as reliable as trying things on in the store for yourself, and there’s always a margin of error. Fortunately for you, we’ve included the true to size rating in our research, so you’re given the very best chance of having a perfect-fitting pair of shoes.