Ah, the great debate. For years, athletes have been asking themselves whether they can wear basketball shoes for volleyball. While there are some similarities between the two sports, there are also some key differences that need to be considered before making a decision. Let's take a closer look at both sides of the argument.
The Pros of Wearing Basketball Shoes for Volleyball
You'll save money.
Buying two pairs of shoes can be expensive, especially if you're on a budget. If you can get away with wearing just one pair of shoes, why not do it?
They have more padding.
This can be a plus if you're playing on a hardwood floor or outdoor court. The extra padding will help protect your feet and ankles from impact.
They're usually lighter weight.
This can give you an advantage when running and jumping since every ounce counts when you're trying to stay light on your feet.
They offer better traction.
The traction on basketball shoes is designed to help you stop and start quickly, which can be useful in volleyball as well.
Some players find them more comfortable.
This one is subjective, but if you're more comfortable in basketball shoes, then you'll probably play better in them as well.
The Cons of Wearing Basketball Shoes for Volleyball
They don't offer the same level of support as volleyball shoes.
Volleyball shoes are specifically designed to provide support for the unique movements involved in the sport, such as quick cuts and sudden starts/stops. If you wear basketball shoes, you may be more likely to experience an ankle or foot injury.
They don't breathe as well as volleyball shoes.
This is important because your feet will get sweaty during a match (no matter how good you are at staying calm under pressure). If your shoes don't allow your feet to breathe, you could end up with blisters or other problems.
They don't have the same level of grip as volleyball shoes.
This can be a problem when trying to plant your foot and make a quick move since you won't have the same level of traction in basketball shoes..You may also slip more often if the court is wet.
They don't offer as much protection from impact.
This is due to the fact that basketball shoes are designed for jumping and landing on a hardwood floor, not concrete or asphalt.
They're not allowed in some leagues.
Some volleyball leagues have rules against wearing non-volleyball specific shoes so it's important to check before assuming that you can wear whatever you want.
Also if your thinking that perhaps a pair of insoles might be helpful, Click Here to read an article I wrote about the best insoles to use for running.
Conclusion:
So, can you wear basketball shoes for volleyball? There are pros and cons to consider before making a decision but ultimately it comes down to personal preference .Your playing style, budget ,and comfort level should all be taken into account when choosing which type of shoe to wear .
Check with your coach or league administrator to see if there are any rules about what type of footwear is allowed .Whatever you decide, just make sure that you're comfortable enough to play your best
One Other Thing:
If your thinking that a new pair of shoes might help, but you don't know where to start, don't worry, we got you covered. We've done the research by searching numerous blogs, read countless articles and searched Amazon for the reviews that customers were writing on the shoes they bought, we got a pretty good handle on the topic. So we compiled a list of the 7 best shoes for the women who want to play volleyball.
And Men don't worry. We're writing a seperate product review for you too. But remember: Women come first!
So click the button below and read about what we found. When you found your the best shoes for you, click the button under the item and check the price on Amazon. Your feet will thank you, your performance and maybe your knee and your legs too!