1. Volley Elite FF - Best Grip Volleyball Shoes

The first pair of volleyball shoes on the list are the ASICS Volley Elite FFs. Traditionally speaking, ASICS volleyball shoes have been heavier than the competition due to the increased surface area on the soles. The added surface area provided more grip but often at the expense of a heavier volleyball shoe. Because of this, the ASICS Volleyball Team made it their mission to create a lightweight volleyball shoe while keeping the integrity of the grip. This resulted in the Volley Elite FFs which highlights the following features:

• FlyteFoam - Cushioning that is 55% lighter than industry standard. The state of the art design forces organic fibers to bounce back into original shape thus providing enhanced cushioning.
• Rearfoot and Forefoot Gel Technology Cushioning System - Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the stride.
• Open Mesh Upper - Provides excellent comfort and breathability
• Trusstic System Technology - Reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.

ASICS Volley Elite FF Volleyball Shoes - Pros

The first thing you will notice is the simple design. The volleyball shoe has a classic ASICS look and is made of open mesh material reinforced with synthetic overlays for durability. It is noticeably lightweight compared to previously released ASICS volleyball shoes and lightweight overall in terms of the market norm (in regards to elite level shoes).

The Volley Elite FF’s lightweight design is paired with a flexibility that allows the volleyball player to have a full range of motion. The inside of the volleyball shoes are padded to aide in the impact from consistent jumping. The padding also helps in keeping the volleyball shoes snug throughout quick movements made while on the volleyball court.

ASICS did a great job making sure the light weight did not negatively impact the grip. Dust is known to be a killer on the court but the Volley Elite FF’s do a great job helping players play through the difficulties of a dusty volleyball court (you will still have to wipe your shoes but it will be less frequently). The grip of the volleyball shoes is absolutely satisfactory when used on clean court conditions and should last quite a long time.

ASICS Volley Elite FF Volleyball Shoes - Cons

The biggest negative associated with the Volley Elite FF’s is the price. If purchased through the ASICS website, the price tag is a steep $140.00 USD. Luckily Amazon offers these volleyball shoes for anywhere between 80$ and 130$. While this can be more than you would like to spend, you need to realize that you are paying for the most up to date shoe technology.

Another potential downside to the Volley Elite FFs is they may feel a bit tight depending on how wide your feet are. If you have had previous issues with shoes being too narrow, I would recommend going to a store and trying these on first. If you have never had this issue or if you have felt fine in ASICS volleyball shoes before, then you should be fine making the purchase.  

Overall, the Volley Elite FFs are high on the list of best volleyball shoes of 2019. They are one of the more expensive options on the market but the quality certainly reflects the price. Regardless of your position, these ASICS volleyball shoes will certainly help you take your game to the next level.  

2. Crazyflight X - Best Looking Volleyball Shoes

If you’re looking for a volleyball shoe that's going to turn heads, look no further than the Adidas Crazyflight X. In a sport dominated primarily by Mizuno and ASICS, Adidas has recently made its mark on volleyball footwear. Aside from the aesthetics, the Adidas Volleyball Team has an enormous research and development budget to work with so you can be assured that you will be getting the most up to date shoe technology. They highlight the following features:

• SPRINTSKIN
• BOOST TECHNOLOGY
• TOP GRIP RUBBER
• PU-SOCKLINER

Adidas Crazyflight X Volleyball Shoes - Pros

The first thing that you will notice about the Crazyflight X volleyball shoes is the obvious flair. These Adidas volleyball shoes are definitely in the running for the coolest looking shoes on the list and will be responsible for turning some heads. They are available in several colors so you can easily match them with your team’s volleyball jersey.

When it comes to features, they are equipped with a “Sprintskin” upper which is a combination of “Sprintweb” tech and bonded synthetic overlays. In layman’s terms, the upper has a mesh design intended to decrease overall weight and increase ventilation. The synthetic overlays add stability and durability to ensure the volleyball shoes won’t tear from consistent use.

The Crazyflight X volleyball shoes also have what is known as “Boost Technology”. Boost technology is the cushioning material used by Adidas that makes their shoes incredibly comfortable while returning an industry high amount of energy with each step (read more about Boost Tech here).  For added comfort, the shoes are have a volleyball specific polyurethane foam insole.

In terms of grip, the Crazyflight Xs are as good as any. They perform well under all conditions including the ever so dreadful dusty volleyball court. Adidas uses a top of the line grip rubber on all of their indoor shoes and the results don't disappoint.

Adidas Crazyflight X Volleyball Shoes - Cons

Although it is easy to get caught up in the attractiveness of the Crazyflight X volleyball shoes, it is important to understand the negatives. Adidas hasn’t been involved in volleyball for long so they have not yet perfected the overall design of their volleyball shoes. The opening of the shoe is narrow by design for additional ankle support but it makes them somewhat tricky to get on and off. This also leads to difficulties if you are trying to pair the volleyball shoes with ankle braces.

Another thing to take a look at is the Crazyflight X volleyball shoes are the heaviest shoes on the list. While this does not have a huge impact in the grand scheme of things, it is something to take note of. More importantly, Adidas volleyball shoes have been known to fit a half size too large. It is recommended that you purchase the Crazyflight Xs a half size smaller than what you are used to or go with an Adidas size that you have worn in the past.

All things considered, the Adidas Crazyflight X volleyball shoes should be on your list when thinking about your next purchase. They were designed with every volleyball position in mind and offer the mid option for additional ankle support (great for middles who are consistently up at the net). If you are trying to get away from the classic look of some of the other volleyball shoes on the market, go browse though the choices that Adidas has to offer.

3. Wave Tornado X - Best Support Volleyball Shoes

The Tornado X’s are one of Mizuno’s top tier volleyball shoes. Mizuno was founded in 1906 and has made a prominent impact on sports ever since. They first introduced the Wave Lightning volleyball shoes in 2003 and never looked back. As advancements in volleyball shoe technology continue to be made, Mizuno always seems to be at the forefront. Specifically designed with middle and right side in mind, the Mizuno volleyball shoe engineering team highlights the following features for the Tornado X:

• Infinity wave - next level of wave technology with a more visible and effective construction that aides in impact, support and motion
• Extra grade rubber - enhanced traction grip to the floor
• Dynamotion groove - increases flexibility and agility while minimizing forefoot instability
• Dynamotion fit technology - relieves the stress the foot naturally places on footwear thus eliminating distortion for the perfect fit

Mizuno Tornado X Volleyball Shoes - Pros

For starters, the Mizuno Tornado X volleyball shoes have an extremely tough look so the aesthetic is A-1. The upper is a combination of synthetic and air mesh to create both comfort and breathability. It is also important to note that they were constructed with a seamless design to reduce irritation to your feet.

The sole of the shoe was made in a way that not only adds to the aesthetic, but also helps the player’s performance on the court. The “infinity wave” is the wave-like shape seen along the sole which guides and stabilizes the foot while at the same time helping with energy return and shock absorption. This Mizuno volleyball shoe is padded in the sole and foot bed to ensure comfort while playing.

The grip of the shoe was a pleasant surprise. Historically the Volleyball-Tips team have been fans of ASICS because Mizuno shoes often have a gap located at the heel. The Tornado X makes up for this big time and has proven to provide consistent grip through continued use.

Mizuno Tornado X Volleyball Shoes - Cons

Similar to the ASICS Volley Elite FF, the Tornado X is a top of the line volleyball shoe at a top of the line price. Listed at $140 USD on the Mizuno website, the price on amazon can float anywhere between $100 and $135. Considering the price tag, it's understandable if you're inclined to go for one of the less expensive shoes.

Another problem associated with this Mizuno volleyball shoe is the fit runs a bit small. It is recommended that you purchase the shoe a half of size bigger than what you are used to in order to ensure that it will fit. This is a common problem with volleyball shoes so it should not be the reason you go in a different direction.

To sum up, the Mizuno Tornado Xs are a great pair of volleyball shoes. If you are a middle or right side and have the money to spend, you should definitely give them some consideration. Because of their price and specific positional design, they aren’t the best fit if you are looking to get matching shoes with your volleyball team.

4. Wave Bolt 6 - Best Budget Volleyball Shoes 2018

The Wave Bolt 6 volleyball shoes are the latest addition to Mizuno’s Bolt series. They were specifically designed to help stability during rapid lateral movements thus making them a terrific choice for pin hitters and defensive specialists. It is no secret that liberos are often the most agile players on the volleyball court. Mizuno had them in mind when designing the Wave Bolt 6 volleyball shoes in order to enhance a players ability to move from side to side as quickly as possible. When the difference between a dig and a shank is a fraction of a second, you'll need as much help as you can get. The Mizuno Volleyball Team highlights the following features:

• Parallel Wave - For dynamic cushioning and agility
• Dynamotion Groove - For increased flexibility and stability during quick lateral movements
• VS-1 Midsole Insert - For superior shock absorption
• High level of cushioning durability

Mizuno Wave Bolt 6 Volleyball Shoes - Pros

The first impression of this Mizuno volleyball shoe is how great the value is when you consider the price. The Mizuno Wave Bolt 6 shoes are listed on the Mizuno website for $100, but can be found for as low as $48 on amazon. In terms of aesthetics, they are nice to look at but aren’t going to turn heads like the Adidas Crazyflight Xs or Nike Air Zoom HyperAces.

These Mizuno volleyball shoes were constructed to function at a high level while remaining as light as possible. This is to enable backrow players to be light on their feet while both passing and attacking from behind the ten foot line. The parallel wave plate is responsible for the lateral stability and is intended for volleyball players with, “neutral foot types who don’t need a lot of support”. The dynamotion groove accounts for the volleyball shoe’s flexibility and adds to the lateral stability previously mentioned. In terms of grip, the Wave Bolt 6’s will give you at least a full season at a high level. Eventually the grip will wear down but the price of these shoes means buying a new pair at the beginning of the following season will be no big deal.

Mizuno Wave Bolt 6 Volleyball Shoes - Cons

While the Mizuno Wave Bolt 6 volleyball shoes are a great bang for your buck, they do come with a few problems. For starters, these volleyball shoes have a lack of breathability. Mizuno advertises the air mesh upper but for some reason they have a tendency to make the volleyball player’s feet quite hot when active. They also offer a bit less support in the form of cushioning.

The VS-1 midsole insert is intended to to help with shock absorption but it could be less than you need if you are continuously jumping (the footbed is removable so you can add an insert if you need to). Because these shoes were designed with pin hitters and defensive specialists in mind, middles should look elsewhere. Ultimately, the Mizuno Wave Bolt 6 volleyball shoes are a terrific value. They can offer you phenomenal stability at an exceptional price. If you are a pin hitter or defensive specialist who is not looking to break the bank, then these are the volleyball shoes for you.

5. Air Zoom HyperAce - Best Women's Volleyball Shoes

The latest addition to Nike’s limited selection of volleyball shoes is the Air Zoom HyperAce. Making some notable advances to the previous Zoom HyperSpike, the Nike engineering team aimed to decrease weight but increase functionality. Nike highlights the following features:   

• Mesh upper with no-sew overlays increases durability
• TPU cage design increases support and stability on court
• Zoom Air unit delivers lightweight cushion and impact absorption
• Rubber outsole increases traction on hard court surfaces

Nike Air Zoom HyperAce Volleyball Shoes - Pros

The first thing that you'll notice is the Nike Air Zoom HyperAce volleyball shoes have the elite look associated with Nike. They come in several colors schemes so matching your volleyball jersey should be possible. Based on appearance, these Nike volleyball shoes definitely compete with the Adidas Crazyflight Xs for the top spot on this list.   

The upper is a lightweight mesh reinforced with a synthetic overlay designed to keep your feet cool during gameplay while also offering an abundance of support. The Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) cage adds additional support and creates stability to help prevent injury. When laced up in the Nike Air Zoom HyperAce volleyball shoes, your feet will be extremely secure so there will be no slipping when making quick movements.

These Nike volleyball shoes have a lightweight cushioning system known as “Nike Zoom Technology”. Nike Zoom Technology was designed to soften impact and provide responsive energy return by utilizing pressurised air units. The air units are compressed during each step and spring back into place thus giving you an advantage when making your next move on the volleyball court.

As is the case with most Nike athletic shoes, the grip that the Nike Air Zoom HyperAce offers is excellent. The rubber outsole increases traction when making rapid lateral movements and the heel grip (often ignored in volleyball shoes) is top of the line.

Nike Air Zoom HyperAce Volleyball Shoes - Cons

There’s a lot to love about the Nike Air Zoom HyperAce volleyball shoes but they are definitely not perfect. The majority of the issues revolve around the shoe’s sizing and ensuing comfort. These Nike volleyball shoes run about a half a size too small so if you end up with the wrong size, the rubber outsole could give you some irritation. The rubber comes to a point on the outside of the shoe which can cause blisters if not appropriately sized.  

The Nike Air Zoom HyperAce volleyball shoes also need to be broken in. They will be a bit stiff at first so it's recommended that you wear them in practice prior to an actual volleyball match. After about a week, the volleyball shoes will begin to form to your feet and become much more comfortable so you just need to push through the initial stiffness.

Overall the Nike Air Zoom HyperAce volleyball shoes are an excellent choice for any women volleyball players (they do not make them for men’s volleyball). They were designed specifically for volleyball court mobility with every position in mind. If you plan on buying a pair, do yourself a favor and buy them a half size bigger than normal.