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When you think of volleyball shoes, Nike rarely comes to mind because you probably think of Nike and basketball as synonymous. However, most of the features of the best volleyball shoes like traction, comfort, lightweight, and impact absorption can be found in Nike shoes as well.
Plus, there is one thing every Nike shoe has in common; Style. So, is it advisable to invest in Nike shoes for volleyball? Read on to find out what’s on our list of the best Nike Shoes for Volleyball or more appropriately, the best Nike basketball shoes for volleyball.
Bottom Line on Best Nike Shoes for Volleyball?
Regardless of the position you play in volleyball, some of the features you look for in a shoe is the ability to protect your ankle, absorb shock while still allowing flexibility and comfort. Plus, let us not forget durability. Basketball, just like volleyball, involves jumping and running, which means most basketball shoes also satisfy most of the requirements of volleyball shoes. Nike is known for making very durable basketball shoes, but have only a few dedicated to volleyball.
If you are looking for the most lightweight and flexible Nike shoe for volleyball, look no further than the Nike Hyperace 2’s. However, if comfort and durability are your thing, then you should go for the Nike Lebron Witness 3 or the Nike Zoom Hyperattacks.
Here are the Top 6 best Nike shoes for volleyball.
6 Best Nike Volleyball Shoes in 2022
1. Editors choice: Nike React HyperSet
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Highly Responsive Traction
- Great impact support
2. Best Traction: Nike Lebron Witness 3
- Excellent Traction
- Awesome Flexibility
- Has some weight to it
3. Most Lightweight: Nike Jordan Ultra Fly 3
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Responsive Traction
- Expensive
- Great Impact protection
4. Best comfort: Nike Hyperace 2
- Our Pick for Cushion
- Very Lightweight
- Not great with Traction
5. Most Durable: Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus
- Great durability
- Great traction duration
- Takes some time to break-in
6. Best Bounce: Nike Lebron 16
- Comfortable Bounce
- Great Traction
- Premium material
- Heavy
Best Nike Shoes for Volleyball 2022: Overall (Editor’s Choice)
Nike React HyperSet
This amazing shoe is proof that Nike is finally paying some attention to volleyball, as this shoe was designed specifically for volleyball. The Nike React HyperSet is made of React foam cushioning to give that soft yet springy feel, and this is not to say you have to sacrifice friction on the court. The rubber sole gives you sufficient traction designed for the volleyball court. The shoe comes with straps to hold your foot down during lateral movements, and the flywire technology makes its lightweight. To top it off, it comes in all the Nike stylish goodness, and it doesn’t cost too much either.
Who Should Buy?
The truth is this shoe was designed for volleyballers that play any position, but it is highly recommended for people that love versatility and impact support all in one shoe. Plus, it is a very good-looking volleyball shoe.
Technical Specs:
- Flexibility: 4.9/5
- Comfort: 4.8/5
- Durability: 4.5/5
- Affordability: 4.8/5
- Special Feature: The lateral strap and Flywire cables really help to stabilize the shoe during lateral movements.
Pros
- Specifically designed for volleyball type of traction.
- Lightweight and springy.
- 4 color variations, including full black with white soles.
- Can be worn on and off the volleyball court.
- Moderately priced.
Cons
- Might feel uncomfortable for those with flat feet.
- Might take a while to get used to the extra padding.
Best Nike Shoes for Volleyball 2022: Best Traction
Nike Lebron Witness 3
The Nike Lebron Witness 3 has appeared on our previous list of the best libero volleyball shoes. However, Lebron Witness 3 still holds its own on the list of the best shoes for volleyball even when other Nike shoes are involved. The Nike Lebron offers one of the best traction types for volleyball type of movements, which are mostly lateral. The Nike Lebron shoes offer a very solid grip, as well as comfortability. Plus, it carries the name of one of the best athletes in the world, what’s not to like about this shoe. The price also makes it a very attractive choice for most volleyballers.
Who Should Buy?
This shoe offers both style and top-end functionality to its owner. Also, if you are a big fan of Lebron and would love to channel some of that predator-like energy, this shoe is a great choice for you. You can count on it for support and traction when you need it the most.
Technical Specs:
- Flexibility: 4.9/5
- Comfort: 4.5/5
- Durability: 4.6/5
- Affordability: 4.5/5
- Special Feature: It is a Lebron shoe, and they look hella fly.
Pros
- Has great pattern for any type of surface.
- Lightweight.
- It is great for outdoor and indoor volleyball.
- Moderately priced.
- Good ankle support.
Cons
- Fails to support laterally sometimes.
Best Nike shoe for volleyball 2022: Most Lightweight
Nike Jordan Ultrafly 3
A lot of players in volleyball undervalue the benefits that comes with a lightweight shoe that doesn’t compromise on impact protection; that’s what the Nike Jordan Ultrafly 3 offers. This is one of the flyest pair of shoes I have seen on a volleyball court in a while. This shoe is built with premium materials that allow it to feel very lightweight and still offer one of the best impact protection you can expect from a volleyball shoe. The major downside to this shoe is that it was mostly built to stay “ultrafly” (see what I did there?) so, it stays inconsistent in the traction department.
Who Should Buy?
This is for any volleyball player that relies heavily on impact protection for their plays, and if you really like to look fly. I am more in the look fly category anyway.
Technical Specs:
- Flexibility: 4.2/5
- Comfort: 4.9/5 (impact protection)
- Durability: 4.8/5
- Affordability: 4.0/5
- Special feature: Looks incredible on the court, quite honestly, some players might feel intimidated.
Pros
- One of the best-looking Nike shoes on a volleyball court.
- Offers premium level impact protection.
- Comfortable to wear.
- Synthetic leather offers durability and enhanced foot containment.
- Nice and soft material feel.
Cons
- Traction sometimes fails, especially on dusty courts.
- Expensive
- Not Flexible
Best Nike shoe for volleyball 2022: Best Comfort
Nike Hyperace 2
If comfort is the one feature that you require to play effectively and like the boss that you are, then the Nike Hyperace 2 is the best shoe for you. A lot of players have credited the Nike Hyperace 2 for providing comfort during plays on the court. This shoe has a lightweight design, therefore, providing optimum mobility around the court. In fact, the only downfall to this shoe is that they lack in the traction department, but make up for it in terms of style and looks. Also, this shoe allows the use of ankle braces, making it appropriate for players that are conscious about ankle protection. With this shoe on, you are sure to be making some pretty aggressive lateral movements.
Who Should Buy?
This shoe is for players that know that they play better when they feel comfortable in the shoes they have laced on. Also, it is lightweight enough to allow you to move effectively, but don’t expect bulldozer level traction from these snicks.
Technical Specs:
- Flexibility: 4.4/5
- Comfort: 4.9/5
- Durability: 4.8/5
- Affordability: 3.7/5
- Special feature: Vacuumed-air technology that allow for comfort and bounce.
Pros
- This shoe brings a high level of comfort to players.
- Lightweight design that allows smooth mobility.
- A lot of users say the trainer runs true to size.
- The outsole provides optimum grip on indoor court floors.
- Stylish design that is clean.
Cons
- Some players have complained about its low durability in some high use cases.
- Low traction.
- Expensive.
Best Nike shoe for volleyball 2022: Most Durable
Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus
Hey, first off, can we take the time out to admit that Nike has one of the coolest naming schemes ever, Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus (who comes up with these!). This shoe is made with the Nike Flywire technology that basically functions like cables that help to offer bridge-suspension-like support. This shoe was designed to be the best at providing support in all directions while being durable enough to last a long time. This shoe is described as Nike’s lightest footwear with maximum support possible.
The Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus provide awesome impact protection with the use of tightly stretched fibers inside the pressurized air unit, that have a quick recovery period of a few milliseconds. When breaking this shoe in, you might encounter some stiffness, but with use, this quickly fades away.
Who should buy?
This is for people that play volleyball like it’s a wrestling match and needs all the support that they can get from their shoes. Also, if you need shoes that are lightweight, comfortable, and durable enough to last the whole season, then this is for you.
Technical Specs:
- Flexibility: 4.6/5
- Comfort: 4.6/5
- Durability: 4.9/5
- Affordability: 3.7/5
- Special feature: The wider base provides solid support for a player. Plus, it has solid grip patterns underneath for incredible grip performance.
Pros
- Highly durable.
- Provides high traction support.
- Supports movements in most directions.
- True to size fit.
- Great stability control and torsional twist control with carbon fiber midfoot shank.
Cons
- Runs narrow for some people with wider feet.
- Stiffness during initial break-in.
Best Nike shoe for volleyball 2022: Best Bounce
Nike Lebron 16
Lebron better starts investing in more volleyball shoes as it seems like his shoes are a good fit for the game. The Nike Lebron 16 is made of premium materials that allow it to work well on dusty courts. However, the real reason this shoe shines is the bounce that it provides to any player wearing it. The cushioning in the shoe is quite versatile, but it still maintains a level of comfortability and stability with the use of tiny outriggers on the outsole that are arranged laterally.
This shoe is highly recommended for its ability to allow powerful players to maintain their stability and still be explosive due to the bouncy feel that it provides. The only downside is that the shoe is raised to provide maximum bounce, but it might provide less court feel on the feet of the player.
Who Should Buy?
If you are a strong player that requires something that is strong and versatile enough to offer proper stability while still providing explosiveness, this shoe is for you.
Technical Specs:
- Flexibility: 4.9/5
- Comfort: 4.7/5
- Durability: 4.7/5
- Affordability: 4.5/5
- Special feature: Excellent traction and impact protection. Plus, it is still a Lebron shoe.
Pros
- Provides awesome bounce
- Great traction on any court type.
- Great cushioning.
- Good impact protection.
- Provides great stability for instant explosiveness.
- Suits many play styles.
Cons
- Provides little to no court feel.
- Not so great fit and support.
- Expensive.
What Shoes Should You Wear for Volleyball?
If you currently play volleyball or have every played this incredible sport, I don’t have to tell you that it incorporates a lot of complex movements and jump dynamics. Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism that will help with shock absorption, stable dynamic control, and even injury prevention, and this is where the tennis shoes come in.
So, the question then becomes, what shoes should you wear for volleyball? The question is not straight forward as there are several positions in volleyball, and then there is the matter of personal preference. However, any shoe that you choose should at least offer good flexibility for lateral and low movements, as well as shock absorption from jumps. The Nike shoes reviewed above offer most, if not all of the features needed in a proper volleyball shoe.
What shoes do you wear for volleyball when you are prone to ankle injuries? This is when you go for a shoe that offers good ankle support. Most Nike basketball shoes for volleyball can satisfy this condition.
Can You Wear Nike Basketball Shoes for Volleyball?
Absolutely yes. The great thing about basketball and volleyball is that both sports have similar dynamics to them, even though I can see some basketball players rolling their eyes right now. Basketball, just like volleyball involves, jumping, lateral movements, low movements during dribbles and ball handling, as well as explosive runs that require extreme traction.
Also, a lot of the top volleyball players wear Nike basketball shoes for volleyball matches, and they completely dominate their game.
How to choose volleyball shoes
Listed below are some of the key factors to consider when choosing a Nike shoe for volleyball.
Lightweight:
This is a feature that is important to a lot of volleyball players because it ensures that there is little effort required to gain moment, therefore, making them quick on their feet (pun intended). However, be careful that you do not sacrifice durability for getting a lightweight shoe. A lot of the Nike shoes we reviewed offer both durability and lightweight.
Traction:
How do I put this simply? In order to move, you need traction. When a shoe is designed in such a way that it knows when to apply full traction, and when to release the pressure to allow movement; that’s what I call an intuitive shoe. Usually, for volleyball, Nike shoes with the gummy outsole and certain patterns have been noticed to have better traction on indoor and outdoor courts. Nike provides few options for shoes that can work on almost any court, even when there is dust on the court. One great example is Nike Lebron 16.
Comfort:
Comfort is a relative subject and not always easy to generalize. However, it is clear that it is an important aspect of choosing a Nike shoe for volleyball. Most players play better when they feel comfortable in the shoe they are wearing (yeah, I agree totally with this). While some shoes work better for people with flat feet, some work better with narrow feet. Also, some people prefer to wear shoes that wrap completely around their legs and give them that tight fit feel, while some prefer their shoes to give them a little breathing space.
Price:
The truth is if you want to get the best, you have to be willing to pay a premium price for it. Luckily though, most of the Nike shoes for volleyball are in a similar price range that should not break the bank. However, there are some, like the Lebron 16 and the Nike Hyperace 2, that use premium materials to bring that premium performance, therefore, they might cost an arm.
Other Factors:
Some of the other factors that are important when you decide to go shopping for a volleyball shoe are aesthetics, specific purposed shoes, and brand.
Brand is really important because it immediately tells you what to expect from a shoe that you buy from a particular brand. Nike, for instance, is a big name in the basketball world and the sports world in general, and apart from making high-quality shoes, and sick looking shoes, they have some super cool naming schemes. Imagine telling a friend on a volleyball court that you are rocking the Nike Men’s Air Zoom Pegasus. I don’t know about your friend, but I’ll lose my mind just from hearing the name.
Everyone cares about aesthetics, even sociopaths too, and I can understand why. There are many psychological researches that have shown that just by wearing something you really like or are proud of, your performance is likely to increase. Plus, who doesn’t like to rock shoes that look like the Nike Jordan Ultra Fly 3?
Are volleyball shoes necessary?
Hum, yeah. Of course, volleyball shoes are necessary. I mean, I do understand the urge to play barefooted and feel the court right beneath your feet, but good luck getting shock absorptions after landing from a jump. Also, I don’t think volleyball court officials will let you play without a pair. Just go through our list of the best Nike shoes for volleyball and pick one already. How often should you get new volleyball shoes?This question is subjective, since, how often you get new volleyball shoes depends on a lot of factors like the durability of your main shoes, your style of play and how much you like to keep things fresh.
A person with an aggressive playstyle is likely to change their shoes probably twice in a season or even thrice if they play like Lebron James on a volleyball court. Also, if you are the type that likes to try out new shoes and keep up with current trends who is to say how many times you might change your shoes. Just make sure to pick a suitable Nike shoe from our list.
Nike volleyball shoe reviews
As of the time when this article was written, there are only two Nike shoes that are dedicated and built specifically for volleyball. I have to say; I am impressed with the Nike React HyperSet and the Nike Hyperace 2.
Nike Hyperace 2 brings all the goodness of lightweight and flexibility into one shoe; the only downside is that it slips up on traction sometimes.
The Nike React HyperSet is the latest addition to the Nike volleyball shoe lineup, and it is incredible. The Nike React HyperSet offers durability, flexibility, impact absorption, traction, cool design, awesome naming scheme. In fact, the only feature missing is a set of wings to help you fly.
Summing up
I have done my best to help you review all the best Nike shoes for volleyball, and the only thing left for you to do now is select the one that suits you the most. Just remember, you want a shoe that offers good traction, impact absorption, flexibility, comfort, and, most importantly (in my opinion), style: Goodluck and happy ‘volleyballing’ in your new Nikes.
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