Are Tennis Shoes Good For Volleyball? (Everything You Need to Know!)

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Are Tennis Shoes Good For Volleyball?

Regardless of the sport you choose to play, it is very important to do plenty of research before you get into it. The correct gear will not just make you look good for the game, but also prevent you from various problems that can arise as you play your sport of choice – and shoes are among these vital choices.

If you are reading this, you are probably wondering what the difference is between shoes – after all, isn’t one type of shoe from one sport applicable in another sport? Well, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think – and it is due to several factors that you must keep in mind. One of these is the question of whether you can use tennis shoes on a volleyball court, which we will discuss in this article.

What to keep in mind

Different sports require different features when you are buying their gear, and it is for good reason – you do not want to compromise on your safety. Even though they seem similar and interchangeable on the surface, get gave various subtle differences that make them distinguishable from each other.

Criteria for volleyball shoes

Volleyball demands plenty of cushioning and grip in the shoes, while allowing you to make quick and flexible movements, and they should handle the great intensity that is subject to your feet. Wearing them while playing other sports might look stylish, but they also wear down very quickly in the sole area (this is the part of the shoe that gives you the traction you need on the volleyball courts).

Ideally, they should have the following features:

  • Durability – if you take into account that you are wearing these shoes for about four or five days during practice sessions and matches, you will have to replace them every three months. It is important to check for the wear and tear, as well as the performance in terms of stability, grip and cushioning.
  • Grip – the distinguishing sole type for volleyball shoes is a gum rubber sole. Aside from preventing slipping, it also prevents the shoes from marking the court floor.
  • Cushioning – since volleyball is such an intense sport, you need plenty of cushioning for extra comfort. This is particularly true for the hell area because you are jumping all the time and will need your feet to make soft landings and avoid injuries.
  • Breathability – all volleyball shoes have mesh uppers, in order to ensure that the feet are given room to breathe.
  • Stable – unlike most sports, volleyball is one that requires you to make quick movements in every direction. You will therefore need a shoe that provides plenty of stability.
  • Shoe weight – lightweight shoes in the sport are vital. You will jump and run around frequently, and the last thing you want is getting fatigued due to heavy shoes.

Criteria for tennis shoes for volleyball

Tennis, like volleyball, is a game that demands plenty of quick stops and starts, as well as lateral movements and short sprints. Therefore, the shoes you choose must handle these movements well. The criteria for helping you choose a tens shoe is slightly different from volleyball shoes, as it takes into account mainly the surface you play on, your personal preferences, and the playing style.

There are some general rules to keep in mind, which are:

  • The frequent stopping and running influences the design of the shoes
  • Tennis shoes, as a general rule, are flatter than other sports shoes and have specific designs on the soles that cater to different court surfaces.

Tennis shoes are usually stronger compared to other shoes, especially in the heels. In the case of other athletic shoes such as those for running, the shoe is designed to handle the repetitive forward motion of walking or running.

Here are some factors to consider when picking a tennis shoe:

  • Playing style – there are two styles you mostly play in; the baseline player, and the serve-and-volley player. Baseline players enjoy playing along the court’s backline, and the shoes will require plenty of lateral support and well as a very durable sole (due to the constant horizontal movements). For a serve-and-volley player, you are charging the net frequently, which means sliding your back foot along the court. You therefore require a shoe with a reinforced toe (durable toecap), as well as a medial within the shoe arch.
  • Type of court surface – for a concrete surface (hard court), you need a shoe that is more durable, because the soles will wear out faster. Check the outsole and upper, which will mostly use vinyl or leather materials. For a clay court (soft court), the traction of the shoe must be non-damaging, while if you prefer multiple courts, you should get those specifically for multi-court use.
  • Shoe fit and foot type – foot types are in three varieties: under pronation, neutral, and over pronation, which you can find out through doing a ‘wet test’. If you have over pronation, the wet test reveals that your entire foot leaves an imprint on the floor surface, and you will require stabilizing shoes due to the tendency of your foot to roll inwards. For neutral feet, a visible space will be present in the arch area during the wet test, and it allows you to try on any tennis shoe. For under pronation, the imprint has a wide gap and the visible part of your foot is small. This means that the feet tend to roll outwards as you stride, so you need a flexible shoe that allows for quick movement.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, are tennis shoes good for volleyball? The answer is no, at least for the most part. This is because both sports have vastly different requirements that you need to consider when selecting them, and tennis shoes usually have a sturdier build that can damage the court floor of a volleyball court when you play in them for long periods. In addition, tennis shoes are not the most breathable options in most cases, so they will not handle the intense requirements of volleyball well.