Diving straight into which men’s volleyball shoes are best can be overwhelming without preparation. There are so many kinds to choose from, one can easily get swept away in confusion by the sheer magnitude of the options.
Know what to look for, and the qualities and features to help you distinguish between good shoes. We hope to bring some order and tell you what makes good volleyball shoes and how to go about selecting them.
With this information, you’ll be better equipped to find shoes to meet your needs, whether you’re looking for the best shoes for outdoor volleyball, indoor volleyball, or court volleyball.
Which Material is Best for Shoes?
The constant running, jumping, and diving of a volleyball game subjects your footwear to significant strain. Even if you’re only a casual volleyball player, wear and tear accumulate over time.
For this reason, the material of the volleyball and basketball shoes are made from is an important aspect to determine durability.
Ideally, you should look for shoes made of leather or synthetic materially highly regarded for durability.
The material making up the soles is particularly significant because that’s where the bulk of the wear and tear on the shoes will be concentrated as you play.
Paying for more durable shoes will always end up paying for themselves in the long run.
What is the Best Sole for a Shoe?
Good traction is essential to a good shoe. Since a volleyball shoe’s traction comes from its sole – that is, the volleyball shoe’s bottom, – that part of each shoe is especially important to pay attention to and carefully select for high quality.
Shoe soles are made either of rubber or synthetic material. While rubber soles tend to provide better traction, this doesn’t suggest it’s not possible to find high quality shoes with synthetic soles. It’s simply a matter of choosing the right kind material.
What are the Most Comfortable Safety Shoes?
Cushioning and comfort are key determinants in the quality of any shoe. Obviously, you won’t be able to play your best if your feet are sore, hurting or otherwise uncomfortable from shoes that provide improper support or cushioning.
Good shoes have systems in place to ensure comfort and support, such as soft GEL insoles. These provide a soft surface for your feet and reduce strain.
Of course, everyone’s feet are different: some people have wider or narrower feet and may be more or less flat-footed than others, and so forth. Finding the most comfortable and supportive shoe is a process of trial and error.
Acquaint yourself with the specifics of your foot’s shape, pay close attention to the insoles of each shoe and try one on to see which pair gives you the most comfortable and snug feeling. It’s also important shoes give your feet some room to breathe, so the optimal pair will balance all of these qualities.
What is a Shoe’s Shaft Measurement?
A shoe’s shaft is measured by taking the distance from the top of the shoe’s arch to the very top of the shaft itself. This measurement can tell you a bit about the amount of support the shoe provides your feet and ankles and also the amount of mobility it grants you.
- Shoes with relatively long shafts, otherwise known as men’s high top volleyball shoes, can provide significant support for your ankles and prevent you from twisting an ankle with quick and sudden movement. However, long-shafted shoes somewhat restrict movement and can slow you down.
- Shoes with shorter shafts are lightweight and easy to move around in. The speed and mobility advantages they provide, are counterbalanced by a lack of ankle support.
Which is best for you is a matter of preference, men’s high top volleyball shoes will not be discussed in this review as high top shoes severely hinder mobility. The answer will depend on your preferred style of playing volleyball. Do you prefer to be fast and mobile or are you more inclined toward a conservative style in which you play safe?
What is the Best Weight for Volleyball Shoes?
The basic rule of thumb when it comes to weight is this: the lighter, the better. Light shoes mean more mobility, more speed, greater ease of movement and therefore, higher and more effective athletic performance. Heavy shoes are going to be more difficult to lug around and will just sap more energy as you play.
