Volleyball is a dynamic and high-intensity sport that demands exceptional agility, power, and precision from its players.
As a hitter, you understand the importance of a strong and well-timed jump to deliver that powerful spike, leaving your opponents scrambling in the dust.
To achieve this, you need footwear that not only provides optimal support and cushioning but also enhances your overall performance on the court.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best volleyball shoes for hitters, designed to elevate your game and keep you one step ahead of the competition.
Let’s get started!
Check out this amazing calculator you can use to calculate your hitting percentage.
10 Best Volleyball Shoes For Hitters In 2024
Table of Contents
For Women
First, we will begin with the 6 Best volleyball shoes for female hitters
1. Adidas Originals Women’s Ligra 6
The Adidas Originals Women’s Ligra 6 has been designed with hitters in mind, ensuring that you can dominate the court with ease.
In this review, we will dive into the shoe’s features, and their pros and cons, to help you make an informed decision.
Features
Non-marking Rubber Outsole:
The Adidas Ligra 6 features a non-marking rubber outsole, which is perfect for both indoor and outdoor volleyball courts.
This durable outsole provides excellent traction and grip, giving hitters the confidence to make quick, agile movements without slipping or losing balance.
Breathable Mesh Upper:
One of the key features of this shoe is the breathable mesh upper, which offers great ventilation, keeping your feet cool and dry during intense matches.
The mesh material is also lightweight, ensuring that you can maintain your speed and agility throughout the game.
ADIWEAR™ Technology:
The Adidas Ligra 6 is equipped with ADIWEAR™ technology, which provides extra durability in high-wear areas.
This ensures that your shoes can withstand the wear and tear of intense volleyball games, making them a great investment for hitters who need reliable footwear.
Cushioned Midsole:
A comfortable and cushioned midsole is essential for hitters, as it absorbs impact and reduces the stress on joints.
The Adidas Ligra 6 features a cushioned midsole that provides excellent shock absorption and support, allowing you to jump, spike, and land with ease.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Good fit
- Provide good support
- Excellent traction
- Affordable
Cons
- Not Durable/ material wears off quickly
2. Mizuno Wave Lightning Z3 (mizuno volleyball shoes for hitters)
The Mizuno Wave Lightning Z3 has been mentioned also in the top 10 volleyball shoes for women.
Because they are dynamic and an excellent choice all around.
Here’s why
Features
These shoes are 100% synthetic and imported, ensuring top-quality materials and construction.
The synthetic sole and shaft that measures approximately low-top from the arch provide superior support and flexibility for quick and agile movements.
The Wave Lightning Z3 is the parallel wave plate. This revolutionary design offers excellent stability and cushioning for hitters, absorbing impact and distributing pressure evenly across the sole.
The non-marking outsole is perfect for indoor court use, ensuring that you won’t leave any scuff marks behind.
The Mizuno Intercool system provides excellent breathability, keeping your feet cool and dry even during intense matches.
The Dynamotion Fit technology adapts to your foot’s unique shape and movements, providing a secure and comfortable fit. With an air mesh upper, the Wave Lightning Z3 weighs in at a light 8.8 oz., ensuring you stay nimble and quick on your feet.
The D-flex groove and anatomical cup insole add to the shoe’s overall comfort and performance, supporting your foot and enhancing your agility on the court.
Pros
- Great grip
- Durable/ Good quality
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Narrow Fit
- Very stiff/hard
3. Mizuno Women’s Wave Momentum
These shoes are also a top pick for athletes seeking unmatched support, comfort, and performance. Their dynamism earned them a place in my best shoes for setters and liberos as well.
In this review, we will delve into the features that make these shoes stand out, and their pros and cons.
Features
The Mizuno Women’s Wave Momentum Volleyball Shoe is designed with a textile and synthetic upper, providing an outstanding combination of durability and breathability.
The imported shoe features a rubber sole that offers excellent traction on the court, essential for hitters who need to make quick, explosive movements.
One of the key features of this shoe is the 3-Layer No Sew Upper, which ensures an exceptional fit and feel, while the Booty Construction inside the shoe provides a soft and secure fit.
As a hitter, you’ll appreciate the Mizuno Wave technology, which disperses energy from impact across a wider area, delivering a stable platform and superior cushioning.
To further enhance durability, the shoe is equipped with Dura Shield, which protects the toe from friction damage on the floor.
Additionally, the XG Rubber offers extra-grade rubber with high traction, ensuring that hitters can maintain a firm grip on the floor during intense gameplay.
Pros
- Excellent Cushioning
- Superior Stability
- Enhanced Traction
- Great Fit
Cons
- High Price
4. Adidas Crazyflight Volleyball Shoes Mid
The Adidas Crazyflight Volleyball Shoes/Adidas Crazyflight Volleyball Shoes Mid are designed specifically for hitters like you.
Designed for powerful hitters with agility and speed in mind, Let’s look into the shoe’s best features, and its pros and cons.
Features
Lightweight Design: The Adidas Crazyflight shoes are made with lightweight materials, allowing for enhanced speed and agility on the court.
This feature is crucial for hitters, as it enables them to jump higher and move faster.
Supportive Structure: These shoes boast a supportive midsole that provides stability and balance, essential for hitters when executing powerful attacks.
The midsole also offers cushioning to absorb shock during intense games.
Superior Traction: The rubber outsole of the Adidas Crazyflight shoes is designed to provide exceptional traction on various court surfaces, ensuring that hitters maintain their grip during crucial moments.
Comfort and Fit: A wide forefoot platform with a lock-down lacing system ensures a comfortable fit
Pros
- Comfortable Fit
- Great Traction
- Durable
- Stylish
Cons
- Wide Fit
5. Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt 5
The Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt 5 Volleyball Shoe is the perfect choice for athletes who need a shoe that can provide both cushioning and stability.
Let’s dive into the features, pros, and cons.
Features
Parallel Wave Plate: The Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt 5 features a unique parallel wave plate that provides lateral stability for quick movements on the court, giving hitters the support they need for powerful spikes and jumps.
Dynamotion Fit: This volleyball shoe is designed with Dynamotion Fit technology, which uses stretch materials in strategic locations to create a snug, secure fit that adapts to your foot’s natural movement.
Non-marking XG Rubber Outsole: The Wave Bolt 5 boasts a high-traction, non-marking XG rubber outsole that provides excellent grip on a variety of court surfaces, ensuring you stay agile and quick on your feet.
Lightweight Construction: With its lightweight materials and design, the Mizuno Women’s Wave Bolt 5 won’t weigh you down as you soar for those killer spikes.
Stylish Design: The Wave Bolt 5 is available in a sleek silver and black colorway, combining both function and style for a shoe that looks as good as it performs.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Traction
- Durable
- Supportive
Cons
- Narrow fitting
- Slightly Pricey
6. Under Armour Women’s HOVR Highlight Ace
The Under Armour Women’s HOVR Highlight Ace Volleyball Shoe is the perfect shoe for any woman who wants to take her game to the next level.
Here’s why
Features
Lightweight and Breathable Upper: The HOVR Highlight Ace features a lightweight, breathable upper, ensuring hitters stay comfortable and cool throughout the game. The added structure and support around the ankle provide complete comfort and stability during intense play.
Extended Ankle Collar: A super-stretchy extended ankle collar makes for easier on/off while offering excellent retention for support and control.
This design element ensures hitters can move freely and confidently on the court.
Abrasion-Resistant TPU Toe Cap: To ensure maximum protection and durability, the HOVR Highlight Ace incorporates an abrasion-resistant, TPU toe cap.
This feature is particularly important for hitters, as it guards against wear and tear from continuous impact and quick movements.
Webbed Lockdown Lacing System: The shoe’s webbed lockdown lacing system provides increased stability and a customized fit, ensuring hitters can move securely and comfortably during high-intensity games.
Compression Mesh Energy Web: The innovative compression mesh Energy Web contains and molds UA HOVR foam, designed to give back the energy hitters put in.
This technology helps improve performance by minimizing energy loss and enhancing responsiveness.
Pros
- Perfect fit
- Good Ankle Support
- Great Traction
Cons
- Quite Expensive
- Not durable/ low quality
For Men
Let’s get into hitter shoes for men
1. ASICS Men’s Upcourt 3 (men’s volleyball shoes for hitters)
Introducing the ASICS Men’s Upcourt 3 Volleyball Shoes, the perfect companion for hitters aiming to dominate the court.
These shoes offer a perfect blend of style, comfort, and performance for volleyball enthusiasts.
Features
Synthetic Leather and Mesh Upper: The ASICS Men’s Upcourt 3 Volleyball Shoes boast a synthetic leather and mesh upper, providing breathability and durability.
This ensures that your feet remain cool and comfortable during intense games, while also withstanding the wear and tear of the sport.
Gum Rubber Outsole: The gum rubber outsole offers excellent traction on various court surfaces, allowing hitters to move with confidence and agility.
This helps players maintain their footing during powerful jumps and quick lateral movements.
EVA Midsole: The EVA midsole offers lightweight cushioning and support, providing shock absorption and stability for hitters.
This feature ensures that your feet remain comfortable and protected during high-impact plays.
Removable Sockliner: The removable sockliner accommodates medical orthotics, allowing players with specific foot conditions to customize the shoe for their needs.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Affordable
- Good fit
- Supportive
Cons
- Not enough grip
- Not durable
2. ASICS Men’s Netburner Ballistic FlyteFoam Mid-Top
The ASICS Men’s Netburner Ballistic FlyteFoam Mid Top Volleyball Shoes are a popular and reliable choice for athletes looking for exceptional performance on the court.
Designed with both comfort and durability in mind, these shoes provide excellent support, stability, and responsiveness for volleyball players of all levels.
That’s why, they have also made my list of Best Volleyball Shoes for Male Liberos
Features
The ASICS Netburner Ballistic FlyteFoam Mid Top Volleyball Shoes come packed with innovative features designed to enhance your hitting abilities:
FlyteFoam Midsole Technology: This advanced cushioning system offers excellent shock absorption and responsiveness, providing you with the optimal combination of comfort and performance.
NC Rubber Outsole: The outsole contains more natural rubber content than traditional solid rubber, ensuring better traction on both indoor and outdoor courts.
Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Cushioning Systems: These cushioning systems reduce the shock during impact and toe-off phases, allowing for smooth transitions in your movements.
Trusstic System Technology: This lightweight technology reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.
Ortholite Sockliner: The moisture management system in the sockliner helps keep your feet dry and comfortable during intense gameplay.
Pros
- Very Comfortable
- Durable
- Good ankle support
- Excellent grip
Cons
- Sizing issues (runs small/narrow fit)
3. Adidas Men’s Stabil X
The Adidas Men’s Stabil X Volleyball Shoes are Designed to cater specifically to hitters, these shoes provide the ideal combination of stability, comfort, and performance.
Features
Upper Material: The shoe is constructed with a breathable mesh upper that ensures proper ventilation and keeps your feet cool and dry during intense matches.
Supportive Cage: A supportive cage wraps around the midfoot, providing added stability and a secure fit, enabling quick lateral movements and sharp cuts.
Boost Cushioning: The midsole features Adidas’ renowned Boost cushioning technology, which delivers exceptional energy return and comfort, allowing you to maintain peak performance throughout the game.
Non-marking Rubber Outsole: The non-marking rubber outsole provides excellent grip and traction on indoor court surfaces, ensuring you can make quick and agile movements with confidence.
Pros
- Durable
- Very Comfortable/ good cushioning
- Great ankle support
- Good ventilation
- Excellent traction
- Good shock absorption
Cons
- Sizing issues (runs small)
- Slightly pricey
4. Mizuno Wave Lightning Z5
Mizuno Wave Lightning Z5 Men’s Volleyball Shoe has been making quite a splash. With its unique combination of comfort, support, and durability, this shoe is becoming a favorite among athletes and recreational players alike.
Features
The Lightning Z5 offers a range of impressive features to support players on the court. Some of the standout features include:
Uppers: The shoe features a durable, breathable mesh upper that allows for excellent airflow, keeping your feet cool and comfortable during intense matches.
Mizuno Wave Technology: The Wave Lightning Z5 utilizes Mizuno’s signature Wave technology, which delivers superior cushioning and stability. This unique midsole design absorbs shock, distributes weight evenly, and ensures smooth transitions during quick movements.
Dynamotion Fit: This technology provides a secure fit by allowing the shoe to move naturally with your foot, reducing stress and potential injury while enhancing overall comfort.
Dura Shield: This protective layer on the toe area is designed to minimize wear and tear, ensuring the shoe’s longevity even with frequent use on the court.
Non-marking Outsole: The shoe features a high-traction, non-marking rubber outsole that provides exceptional grip on a variety of indoor court surfaces.
Intercool Ventilation System: This innovative system helps to reduce heat and humidity build-up within the shoe, keeping your feet dry and comfortable throughout the game.
Shock-absorbing midsole: A lightweight, shock-absorbing cushioning material that ensures smooth and fast transitions.
Pros
- Good grip
- Very lightweight
- Provide good ankle support
- Durable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Sizing issues (runs small)
- Bit expensive
Here’s a quick and handy tool to help you convert shoe sizes between genders
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the right pair of volleyball shoes is a critical factor in maximizing your potential as a hitter.
The top 10 best volleyball shoes for hitters featured in this article offer a diverse range of options, each with its unique set of features, designed to cater to various preferences and playing styles.
So, take the leap and invest in a pair of volleyball shoes that will elevate your game and bring out the best in you as a formidable hitter.
Factors to Consider when Buying volleyball shoes for Hitters
When choosing the best volleyball shoes for hitters, it’s essential to consider several factors.
Here are some key factors to keep in mind as you make your decision:
1. Traction
A shoe with excellent grip is crucial for maintaining control and stability on the court.
Look for shoes with non-marking outsoles made from high-quality rubber, which provides optimal traction on various surfaces.
2. Cushioning
As a hitter, you need adequate cushioning to absorb shock during jumps, landings, and quick movements.
Pay attention to shoes with well-designed midsoles, featuring technologies such as EVA foam, gel, or other advanced materials for maximum shock absorption and comfort.
3. Stability
Lateral support is vital for hitters who need to move quickly and change directions with ease.
Choose shoes with robust stability features like reinforced uppers, heel counters, and external cages to ensure proper support during rapid movements.
4. Ankle Support
High jumps and constant movement can put a strain on your ankles, so it’s essential to look for shoes that offer ample ankle support.
High-top or mid-top shoes can provide additional support without sacrificing mobility.
5. Breathability
During intense matches, your feet can get hot and sweaty, leading to discomfort and potential blisters.
Opt for shoes with breathable uppers, such as mesh or perforated materials, to promote airflow and keep your feet cool and dry.
6. Lightweight
Heavy shoes can hinder your movement and slow you down.
Seek out lightweight shoes that won’t weigh you down during jumps and sprints but still offer the necessary support and durability.
7. Fit
A properly fitting shoe is crucial for both comfort and performance.
Ensure that your shoes fit snugly but not too tight, with enough room for your toes to move comfortably.
Consider factors such as the width of the shoe and the shape of your foot when selecting the right size.
8. Durability
Volleyball shoes undergo a lot of wear and tear, so it’s essential to choose a pair made with durable materials and construction.
This will ensure that your shoes last longer and maintain their performance-enhancing features.
9. Style and Design
While performance should be your top priority, aesthetics, and personal style also play a role in your decision.
Select a shoe that aligns with your preferences in terms of color, design, and overall appearance.
10. Price
Finally, consider your budget when selecting the shoes.
While it’s essential to invest in a high-quality pair, there is a wide range of options available at different price points.
Determine what features are most important to you and choose a shoe that offers the best value for your money.
FAQs
What shoes do Olympic volleyball players wear?
Olympic volleyball players wear specialized volleyball shoes designed for optimal performance on the court.
These shoes offer excellent grip, cushioning, and stability, with features like gum rubber soles for traction, lightweight materials for agility, and reinforced areas for durability and support.
Popular brands include ASICS, Mizuno, and Adidas.
Why do volleyball players wear Asics?
Volleyball players wear ASICS shoes because they are specifically designed for the sport, offering a combination of comfort, performance, and durability.
ASICS volleyball shoes provide excellent traction with gum rubber soles, lightweight materials for agility, and GEL cushioning for shock absorption.
Additionally, they have a reputation for quality and are trusted by many professional players.
Are high tops better for volleyball?
High tops can provide more ankle support and stability, which some players might find beneficial. However, they will be heavier in weight. That’s why low tops are a better option, they offer a balance of support, flexibility, and lightweight design for agility on the court
Which is the coolest position in volleyball?
It is subjective to determine the “coolest” position in volleyball, as each position has its unique importance and challenges.
Some may find the outside hitter exciting for their powerful attacks and crowd-pleasing spikes.
Others might admire the libero for their exceptional defensive skills, agility, and quick reflexes.
It ultimately depends on personal preferences and what aspects of the game one finds most appealing.