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Volleyball is a sport of quickness, balance, and agility. In order to play it at the height of your ability, you need to have all the necessary equipment on your side. One of the key pieces of equipment any male volleyball player needs is mens volleyball shoes.
Mens volleyball shoes are designed specifically to accommodate the gameplay of indoor volleyball. Made with top-notch support and comfort, they’re specially equipped to break falls and keep a player feeling his best at all times. So, what are the best volleyball shoes on the market today? Read this guide to find out!
Compare the Top Ten Best Mens Volleyball Shoes of 2020
| Picture | Name | Brand | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mizuno Men's Wave Lightning Z3 Mid Volleyball-Shoes | Mizuno | Textile/Synthetic | $$$ |
 | adidas Performance Men's Crazyflight X Mid Volleyball-Shoes | adidas | Synthetic | $$$ |
 | Mizuno Men's Wave Lightningz2 Mid Volleyball Shoe | Mizuno | Textile/Synthetic | $$$ |
 | Mizuno Men's Wave Bolt 6 Volleyball-Shoes | Mizuno | Textile/Synthetic | $$ |
 | adidas Performance Men's Court Stabil 13 Volleyball Shoe | adidas | Synthetic | $$$ |
 | ASICS Men's Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball-Shoes | ASICS | Synthetic | $$ |
 | adidas Performance Men's Ligra 4 Volleyball Shoe | adidas | Textile/Synthetic | $$ |
 | ASICS Men's GEL-Cyber Sensei Volleyball Shoe | ASICS | Synthetic | $$ |
 | ASICS Men's Upcourt 2 Volleyball-Shoes | ASICS | Synthetic | $$ |
 | Mizuno Men's Wave Tornado X Volleyball-Shoes | Mizuno | Synthetic | $$ |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Material | Price |
What to Consider When Choosing Mens Volleyball Shoes
Contents
As with any pair of shoes you buy, volleyball shoes possess a number of different components which can make all the difference in their overall quality. Deeply considering these components will allow you to make the purchase that’s right for you. They include comfort, support, traction, and construction quality.
Comfort
Every person’s feet are shaped just a little differently. Some people have narrow feet. Other people have wide feet. The goal to finding a comfortable shoe is figuring out how a specific shoe will accommodate the size and shape of your foot. In addition to this, it’s important to pay close attention to the insoles of a pair of shoes. You want something that fits to your foot fairly snugly, but which isn’t the equivalent of walking in quicksand.
Support
When playing a sport likely volleyball, you need as much heel and arch support as possible. Jumping up and coming down on your feet can put quite a bit of stress on your ankles and heels. It’s important that the shoes you wear are equipped to take as much stress as possible off of your feet.
Traction
When it comes to indoor volleyball, you’re typically playing on a glazed hardwood surface. For this reason, you need to choose shoes which will provide terrific traction on these surfaces. A textured rubber or synthetic outsole will typically get the job done.
Construction
As with any product you buy, you need to pay close attention to the construction quality of the mens volleyball shoes that you’re perusing. The vast majority of these shoes are made out of synthetic and textile materials which are both lightweight and durable. Try to pick a pair in which the outsoles are sewed to the upper of the shoe. Shoes which are secured by glue only will typically meet an early demise.
10 Best Mens Volleyball Shoes
1. Mizuno Men’s Wave Lightning Z3 Mid Volleyball-Shoes
The first, and arguably best mens volleyball shoes on our list are the Mizuno Wave Lightning Z3 Mid Volleyball Shoes. Though they’re a little expensive, they offer more than enough in the ways of comfort and support to make them worthwhile.
These are available in two color schemes: gray or black/white. Designed with a high top ankle, they’re made to lock your foot into place so that it can’t slip and move. A slight arch elevates the ankle so that its wearer can get into the air in a hurry.
They’re made out of a combination of textile and synthetic materials, giving them both breathability and flexibility. With a synthetic rubber sole, they offer terrific traction at all times.
Put it all together, and you get a shoe that performs exceptionally on the volleyball court. If you’re looking for a high top that excels in all areas, this is a terrific volleyball shoe for you.
Pros
- Offers terrific ankle and arch support
- High tops offer a snug fit
- Synthetic uppers are very breathable
- Synthetic rubber soles offer superb traction
Cons
- A little on the expensive side
2. adidas Performance Men’s Crazyflight X Mid Volleyball-Shoes
Another high-end pair of mens volleyball shoes is this pair from adidas. The Crazyflight Xs are a bit more expensive than many volleyball shoes, but are well worth their price.
Like the Mizunos reviewed above, these shoes are high tops. Because of this, they provide your feet and ankles with snug and secure support. Available in two different color schemes, they possess a fairly stylish and flashy aesthetic.
The uppers on these shoes are made out of a synthetic material which is both breathable and lightweight. You can move around in them with very little resistance or disturbance.
Equipped with synthetic rubber soles, they offer superb traction at all times. You shouldn’t have any trouble staying on your feet while wearing them. Arguably the best mens volleyball shoes on the market, they’re a great option for anyone.
Pros
- Synthetic soles offer terrific traction
- Extremely breathable design
- Offer superb support and comfort
- As durable as they come
Cons
- On the expensive side
3. Mizuno Men’s Wave Lightningz2 Mid Volleyball Shoe
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Z2s are another terrific pair of mens volleyball shoes. These shoes are similar to the Lightning Z3s, but are available for a slightly lower price.
Like the Z3s, they’re made out of a combination of synthetic and textile materials. This gives them excellent breathability and durability. Where they fall slightly behind the Z3s is in their flexibility. They’re not quite as responsive to movement as the Z3s.
Still, they provide terrific support at both the ankles and arches. With a high top upper, they lock your ankles in place so that you’re not sliding and slipping all over the place.
Equipped with a thick, rounded synthetic rubber outsole, they move and rotate exceedingly well on a volleyball court. The truth of the matter is that, apart from flexibility, these shoes are just about identical to the Mizuno Z3s reviewed above.
Pros
- Provide tons of ankle and arch support
- Extremely durable design
- Made to be very breathable
- Offer tons of value for their price
Cons
- Not as flexible as some
4. Mizuno Men’s Wave Bolt 6 Volleyball-Shoes
If you’re looking for a terrific mid-level pair of volleyball shoes, you might consider the Mizuno Wave Bolt 6s. These are available for a middle of the road price, and offer above average construction quality and support.
Unlike previous shoes on our list, these are low tops. So, while they won’t lock your ankle into place with quite as much snugness, they will allow for a little more freedom of movement overall.
The heels on these shoes possess a slight elevation, allowing you to get up off your feet in no time. You won’t have any trouble spiking back balls with fury and gusto.
With synthetic rubber soles, they provide as much traction as any volleyball shoes you’re going to find. You’ll be sure to have firm and balanced footing at all times. If you’re looking for the best low top volleyball shoes on the market, look no further.
Pros
- Offer tons of value at a reasonable price
- Low tops allow for tons of movement
- Very durable construction
- Synthetic rubber soles provide terrific traction
Cons
- Low tops provide less ankle support
5. adidas Performance Men’s Court Stabil 13 Volleyball Shoe
Next up on our list are the adidas Performance Men’s Court Stabil 13s. Available for a decent price, they sport terrific comfort and above average support.
These shoes are made out of a synthetic material which is equal parts breathable and lightweight. With low-cut uppers, they aren’t as supportive as high-tops, but are very easy to move around in.
They’re equipped with rubber soles which offer superb traction on volleyball courts of all kinds. Equipped with a slightly elevated heel, they allow for quick jumping capabilities.
Overall, this is a terrific pair of volleyball shoes. Not only are they supportive and comfortable, but breathable and lightweight as well. If you’re looking for something that you can really move around well in, these are it.
Pros
- Rubber soles offer terrific traction
- Extremely breathable uppers
- Low-cut uppers allow for maximum movement
- As comfortable as they come
Cons
- Low-cut tops take away some support
6. ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball-Shoes
A solid pair of mid-level volleyball shoes are these ones from ASICS. The Gel-Rocket 8s combine above average construction quality with high-quality materials to make a pair of shoes which is both lightweight and durable.
The soles on these shoes are made out of legitimate rubber, giving them excellent traction on surfaces of all types. To give them additional traction, they’re adorned with a series of grooves and textures.
As far as ankle and heel support go, these shoes are pretty standard. There’s a slight elevation to the back heel, giving you the lift necessary to get up off your feet in a hurry.
The gel in the insoles of these shoes does a great job of breaking high-collision falls, keeping your feet comfortable and healthy throughout your matches. While these aren’t the absolute best mens volleyball shoes around, they’re more than good enough to get the job done on a regular basis.
Pros
- Gel insoles reduce stress on feet
- Slight heel elevations provide terrific support
- Made out of lightweight, but durable synthetic materials
- Rubber outsoles provide terrific traction
Cons
- On the narrow side
7. adidas Performance Men’s Ligra 4 Volleyball Shoe
Our next pair of volleyball shoes is very similar to the ASICS reviewed above. Both pairs are available for around the same price, and offer much of the same in terms of construction quality and support.
These shoes are made out of synthetic materials which are equal parts durable and lightweight. Possessing mesh components on their uppers, they allow for excellent air circulation. You won’t have to worry about your feet burning up during matches.
The soles on these shoes are made out of authentic rubber. With small grooves and textured areas, they will cling firmly to any playing surface.
Overall, these are very solid volleyball shoes. They’re comfortable, supportive, breathable, and durable enough to last through a few seasons of use.
Pros
- Extremely breathable construction
- Rubber outsoles provide excellent traction
- Offer terrific support
- Very lightweight
Cons
- Sizes run a little small
8. ASICS Men’s GEL-Cyber Sensei Volleyball Shoe
Another fine pair of volleyball shoes from ASICS are the GEL-Cyber Senseis. These shoes are at about the same quality level as the adidas and ASICS shoes reviewed above, but tend to run at a more expensive price overall.
The soles on these shoes are made out of genuine leather, allowing for terrific grip and traction on all playing surfaces. To provide additional traction, these soles are equipped with small grooves.
For support purposes, there is just a small elevation to the back of shoes’ heels. This slight elevation allows you to get up in the air in just a moment’s notice.
The one problem you might have with these shoes is that they’re a little more stiff than many others on the market. This will not only take away some flexibility, but some breathability as well. But overall, this is a solid pair.
Pros
- Very durable construction
- Offer terrific support
- Rubber outsole provides terrific traction
Cons
- A little stiff compared to others
- Not as breathable as some
9. ASICS Men’s Upcourt 2 Volleyball-Shoes
A great budget option would be the ASICS Upcourt 2s. While they’re not quite as supportive as higher-end shoes, they still provide terrific durability and breathability overall.
These shoes sport rubber soles which offer excellent grip and traction on playing surfaces of all types. With slight grooves and textured components, they reduce slippage to the point that you’ll never even have to think about it.
The uppers on these shoes are made out of a synthetic mesh material which allows for maximum airflow at all times. Because of this, you won’t have to worry about your feet overheating over the course of your matches.
While they don’t provide a lot of structure for your feet, these shoes still offer decent arch and heel support. At the very least, they allow you to move around with enough speed and agility to get the job done.
Pros
- Inexpensive compared to others on the market
- Very lightweight design
- Extremely breathable
Cons
- Don’t offer tons of structure
- Lack high-end support
10. Mizuno Men’s Wave Tornado X Volleyball-Shoes
The last pair of mens volleyball shoes that we’ll cover are the Mizuno Tornado Xs. While these aren’t terrible shoes, they are a little expensive for what they offer.
They’re made out of synthetic materials which are fairly lightweight and durable. With mesh components spread out upon them, they allow for pretty standard breathability and air circulation.
The outsoles on these are made out of authentic and textured rubber. This rubber does a great job of sticking to and gripping most playing surfaces.
As far as heel and arch support goes, these shoes are fairly basic. They’re supportive, but not to a point that justifies their price. In essence, unless you’ve got a special interest in the design of these shoes, you should opt for something else.
Pros
- Made out of durable materials
- Rubber soles offer terrific traction
- Fit snugly and securely
Cons
- A little expensive for what they offer
- Don’t offer high-end support