Volleyball is a very fast-paced physical sport that demands a lot of power and agility. Every move from defensive blocking, net leaping, jump-blocking, to ball setting requires the player to be in the best shoes for grass volleyball.
Of course, all the players can have an ideal volleyball shoe. However, the demand tends to vary depending on one’s skill. The person who serves often needs a shoe with better toe reinforcement and forefoot heel padding. This is because the serve ends in them being on their toes.
The same happens when passing a ball.
The setting could be the only time when your weight is properly distrusted on your entire feet and if this is what you do often, then you may not be so choosy like Jump setters, blockers, passers, and attackers. But truthfully, every volleyball player must be able to perform all the six basic volleyball skills. So yes, your shoe must be as responsive as yourself.
Let’s get this right now before we get too far. You cannot play grass volleyball barefoot or in running shoes. These improper shoes lack the traction, support, and tenacity that comes with genuine shoes for grass volleyball. The good news is, we have rounded up some solid selections for both pro and novice players. Check them out below.
Table of Contents
Best Shoes for Grass Volleyball 2022
Let’s go over some of the heavily recommended grass volleyball shoes for blockers, setters, diggers, spikers, and servers:
1. Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe
On Amazon alone, Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe has over 10k reviews-90% positive. This iconic beast comes highly recommended for those looking for speed and monster grip. You can jump, run, and land without losing your footing on a rainy day.
To allow you to connect with nature fully, Speedcross 4 features lightweight padding for speedy performance. Its design is the kind you find in the best cross-training shoes where stability and support come highly valued.
Another thing you do often while playing volleyball is cutting, blocking, and changing direction suddenly. A poorly constructed shoe will rip apart before the first round. Hold on; some of you have already witnessed that. Thankfully, Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running shoe comes with supportive counters that grab your foot for a stunning snug fit.
Features
- Synthetic upper
- Aggressive grip
- EVA midsole
- Multiple color options
- Quick-lacing
Pros:
- Superior traction for the grass-court
- Unparalleled support
- An amazing design that keeps you looking good
- Minimalistic, quick-fastening lace
- An extremely lightweight build
Cons:
- Inconstant quality control
Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe is one of the best shoes for grass volleyball that comes highly recommended. Every piece you are going to read in your research is going to mention this pair. While not flawless, it is supremely designed to give you all the advantages you need while playing.
2. ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe
Are you looking for a great court shoe with minimal to no negative ratings? That option is none other ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe. Most reviewers agree that the shoe cushioning is great for intense volleyball moves. Frankly, this is typical for most ASICS shoes.
The weight is another great advantage of this shoe. It is so light for quick jumping and landing. This is why some people use it for Badminton. On top of that, the Trusstic system technology helps with stability during landing.
When jumping, bumping, serving, or digging, you’ll ultimately, at one time, be on your forefoot. ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe comes ready for that by including gel cushioning in the forefoot for additional support. About looks, this shoe is stylish enough to keep you up with the latest trends.
Features
- Synthetic top
- Rubber outsole
- Low-cut design
- Trusstic System Technology
- Forefoot gel cushioning
- Breathable panels
Pros:
- Reinforced for comfort and stability
- Lightweight performance
- Long-lasting quality
- Breathable for use in hot weather
- Stylish design and available in bold color choices
Cons:
- A little costly
ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe is one of those shoes that have been made specifically for those who take part in high-octane activities like volleyball. So far, many reviewers admit that this shoe offers not only fantastic performance but lasts longer as well. You should check it out.
3. Mizuno Women’s Wave Lightning Z4 Volleyball Shoes
So how much bucks are you planning to spend on grass volleyball shoes? Okay…don’t tell us. However, if you are here for something that is more practical but without an inflated price tag, then you really should have checked out Mizuno Women’s Wave Lightning Z4 like yesterday.
The shoe doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles. Nevertheless, some of its pros include a superior grip and a well-padded opening for a comfy experience. The midsole is adequately thick to add some spring to your shoe for those energy-charged jumps towards the net.
It is also worth mentioning that Mizuno Women’s Wave Lightning Z4 comes with toe bumper protection and supportive counters that retains the shoe integrity during quick turns and twists. It comes highly recommended for setters, pin hitters, and others who move at a pretty fast pace. What about the con? Well, the color choices are limited.
Features
- Synthetic top
- Toe bumper
- Breathable upper
- American flag colors
- Lace design
- Ideal for setters and pin hitters
- Secure fit
- Low cut model
- Dura Field shield for more acceleration
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight
- One of the most affordable grass volleyball shoes
- Reliable traction
- Comfortable and supportive
Cons:
- Limited color choices
Mizuno Women’s Wave Lightning Z4 is a decent package for anyone who is not looking to spend upwards of $50. The design is practical and so far, positively rated.
4. Adidas Men’s Ligra 5 Volleyball Shoe
Adidas Ligra 5 is among the top offers for jumpers because of the additional ankle support, and Adiwear outsole. The traction is not as massive as you would expect in other volleyball shoes but still offers reliable indoor and outdoor performance. Since the treads are not that pronounced, it’s better not to use it for other outdoor day-to-day errands.
Like all Adidas shoes, this one too if fairly padded for comfort. Mid-foot counters help to provide a secure fit for high-octane moves. No matter how hot the day gets, these shoes breathable uppers allow adequate air circulation. This is great for hot summers and individuals with sweaty feet.
Thanks to the lightweight padding, Adidas Men’s Ligra 5 is among the most lightweight shoes for volleyball courts. While not available in multiple colors, the few available choices are bold and beautiful.
Features
- Synthetic uppers
- Rubber outsole
- Padded collar and tongue
- Cushioned footbed
- A narrow fit design
Pros:
- A conveniently narrow design that fits many women
- Mostly true to size
- Provides sufficient comfort and support
- Affordable pricing point
- An elegant design that meets the latest trends
Cons:
- Limited color picks
Adidas Men’s Ligra 5 Volleyball Shoe comes highly recommended for jumpers. Its outsole design makes it relevant for tennis, badminton, squash, and other court sports. The shoe’s price point is also quite enticing.
5. ASICS Men’s Upcourt 4 Volleyball Shoes
Let’s wrap this review up with ASICS Men’s Upcourt 4-another top-rated grass volleyball shoe. This is the recent upgrade in the Upcourt series and as such, features improved performance.
Upcourt 3 comes with an EVA midsole, EVA sockliner, and a Duratex insole-things that Upcourt 4 already features. On top of these, Upcourt 4 features rearfoot gel cushioning which makes it ideal for passers, setters, hitters who need supreme heel cushioning.
ASICS Men’s Upcourt 4 Volleyball Shoes also does a good job of providing traction thanks to the tread-rich gum sole rubber. The top synthetics will allow your feet to breathe optimally for undisturbed performance. Despite the obviously amazing upgrades, this shoe can still be found for less than $50 bucks. Of course, costlier high-end models exist too.
Features
- Rubber gumsole
- Breathable mesh upper
- Reinforced toe bumper
- EVA foam and sockliner
- Rearfoot gel cushioning
Pros:
- Lightweight and flexible
- Durable leather and synthetic construction
- Great support for abrupt transitions as well as braking
- Reliable grip for indoor use
- Fully breathable
Cons:
- So huge problems that warrant a mention
So far, ASICS Men’s Upcourt 4 Volleyball Shoes is still a new kid on the block. Nevertheless, it’s already getting a good number of positive reviews and this indicates you could get the best out of it. Design-wise, it’s a model that is fashionable for trendy individuals.
This marks the end of the review section. What remains is for you to do a close comparison and figure out which shoe meets your style, performance, and price point before settling for one or a few. Let’s move on to the FAQ section.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
a) Can you use trail runners to play grass volleyball?
Trail shoes are lightweight, rugged, and breathable and feature next-level grip for better traction. These characteristics can come in handy for those playing grass volleyball as they give them maximum performance. So if you can’t find great volleyball shoes, go with trail runners.
b) Are there special volleyball shoes?
There are shoes designed specifically for volleyball players. These shoes feature the right support, comfort, and stability meant for either grass, sand, or court volleyball. Examples include ASICS Men’s Gel-Volleycross 4 MT, ASICS Men’s Upcourt 4 Volleyball Shoes, Adidas Men’s Ligra 5 Volleyball Shoe, Mizuno Women’s Wave Lightning Z4 Volleyball Shoes, and ASICS Men’s Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe.
c) Is it okay to wear volleyball shoes outside?
You can do whatever you want with your shoe. That’s correct. However, many volleyball shoe sport features are convenient for indoor surfaces. This means, they are not as tough as running shoes and will lose their performance when used outdoors. If you must walk to your residence, then we suggest you carry an extra pair meant for streetwear.
d) Can you wear running shoes for volleyball?
There is an obvious difference between running shoes and volleyball shoes. The former sports extremely thick cushioning, pronounced midsoles, and a relatively hard outsole. This leads to them being a little chunky and heavy.
Court shoes, on the other hand, feature unique side-to-side stability, toe protection for serving, a firm midsole, and lightweight construction. This means running shoes will not offer the best volleyball experience.
Wrap Up
Truthfully, there are many shoes you can use to play grass volleyball. If you have healthy feet, buying the right shoe can ensure the quality of your feet remains outstanding for many tournaments. Those with unhealthy feet have no choice but to stick to genuine court shoes.
Prioritize traction, comfort, and support above everything. Function over form, right? Weight is also quite an important factor. You can run around in bulky shoes and still perform excellently, but why overtax yourself when there are many reliable lightweight shoes?
If you are lost for options, this article takes a look at some of the best shoes for grass volleyball designed solely for this purpose. We bet you won’t go wrong with any of our recommended choices. Good luck and all the best in your tournaments.