Basketball shoes are an excellent choice for volleyball due to their shared demands in movement, support, and durability. While volleyball-specific shoes exist, many athletes opt for basketball shoes because they provide exceptional traction, cushioning, and ankle support—three crucial factors that enhance performance on the volleyball court. Because of this, we decided to put together a list of the best basketball shoes for volleyball.
*Note: Remember that the scores on this list are the shoes score for volleyball. The core feature of the performance review is the score for basketball.
Best Basketball Shoes for Volleyball Show
Why are basketball shoes so good for volleyball?
Superior Traction for Quick Movements
One of the primary reasons basketball shoes are well-suited for volleyball is their superior traction. Both sports involve frequent lateral movements, sudden stops, and explosive jumps. Basketball shoes are designed with advanced rubber outsoles that maximize grip on any playing surface.
This traction allows volleyball players to move confidently without slipping, whether they are transitioning from defense to offense, diving for a dig, or making a quick approach for a spike.
Excellent Cushioning
Jumping is a fundamental aspect of both volleyball and basketball, and the impact from repeated jumps can take a toll on an athlete’s joints. Basketball shoes typically feature advanced cushioning systems such as Nike’s Zoom Air, Adidas’ Boost, or Way of Wade’s Boom. These technologies absorb the force generated from landing and reduce stress on the knees and ankles.
Volleyball players benefit greatly from this shock absorption, as it helps prevent injuries and reduces fatigue over long matches and practice sessions.
Stability and Availability
Since volleyball players frequently perform lateral movements, rapid changes in direction, and high jumps, they need stable footwear. Many basketball shoes excel in this regard. Basketball shoes tend to feature robust upper materials that provide elite lockdown, and stable midsole setups with top-notch torsional support
Additionally, basketball shoes are much more widely available and come in a wide range of styles and brands, making it easier for athletes to find a pair that suits their preferences in terms of fit, weight, and aesthetics. So, with all of this in mind, let’s go over our top picks for the best basketball shoes for volleyball.
Updated 04.04.2025
Best Basketball Shoes for Volleyball
At our first pick, we have 2 shoes. They are two very similar models, with slightly different performance features. Go with whichever fits your on-court needs better.
Nike LeBron 21
The Nike Lebron 21 is our top pick on our list of overall best volleyball shoes available, so it had to be on this list as well. The Nike LeBron 21 is an updated and refined version of the Nike LeBron 20. The days of huge Air cushions and heavy, cumbersome designs are over. Lebron wasn’t even wearing the Lebron 19s on the court. The Lebron 20, on the other hand, was extremely popular, and for good reason, and the LeBron 21 is no different. The best part: they perform just as great on the volleyball court. Read the full review. Price: $200
Nike LeBron 22
Overall, the Nike LeBron 22 is a powerful performance shoe that caters to players seeking robust support, responsive cushioning, and enhanced stability. It’s not the Kobe-adjacent-feeling shoe that the LeBron 20 was, or even the more substantial version of that that the LeBron 21 was. The LeBron 22 is ideal for heavier, more powerful players who thrive on stability and support. Read full review. Price: $179
Nike KD 17
The Nike KD 17 is another great hoop shoe in Kevin Durant’s signature line. The Nike KD 17 is very different from the Nike KD 15 (which was also an amazing hoop shoe) and very similar to the Nike KD 16. We have a new radial traction pattern etched into a translucent rubber sole, an excellent cushioning system that combines a cushlon midsole a large zoom unit in the forefoot, and an Air Strobel that covers the midfoot and heel (just like in the 16). See the full review. Price: $150
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Puma All-Pro Nitro
The Puma All-Pro Nitro is the successor to the Clyde All-Pro, adding a bit more of a premium feel to an already great shoe. At a better price point and similar performance (and a little less weight) the All-Pro Nitro lands just a hair ahead of the Nike Lebron 20 on this list. Once again, Puma shows that they know how to make a court shoe with high performance that translates excellently onto the volleyball court. Read the full review. Price $130
Puma All Pro Nitro Elite
Overall, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite excels as a high-performance shoe, delivering remarkable traction, cushioning, and support. Its design prioritizes function, ensuring stability, comfort, and durability on the court. However, the synthetic materials may be a drawback for players expecting a premium touch, and its $250 price tag may be prohibitive for some. But if we are only talking about on-court performance, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite absolutely delivers. Read the full review. Price: $250
adidas AE 1
The adidas AE 1 is one of the best basketball shoes available, and it also checks all the boxes for volleyball. Traction is elite, cushioning is low profile and very well balanced, and support and lockdown are amazing. Aside from being an elite performance model, it’s also very reasonably priced, and one of the most visually striking shoes out there as well. Read full review. Price $120
Puma MB.01
Puma made themselves known with the Clyde All-Pro being widely considered the best performance shoe of its release year. LaMelo Ball’s first signature MB.01 shoe is its spiritual successor. With great tech, a plush on-foot feel, and some fantastic colorways, you’ll want to check out this sneaker. Whether you’re playing men’s or women’s volleyball, front row or back row, the MB.01 is one of the best volleyball shoes available. See the full review. Price: $140
Way of Wade 11
The Way of Wade 11 is another impressive flagship model from Way of Wade and an improvement on an already great model in the Way of Wade 10. This shoe features full-length Boom cushioning, an impressive carbon fiber spring plate, and a much-improved material setup. Stability and lockdown should also be great and that “customized” carbon fiber shank plate will be elite. If you like a well-cushioned, stable, and grippy shoe with good impact protection, the Way of Wade 11s are a great choice for volleyball. Read full review. Price: $225
Nike GT Jump 2
Nike’s GT line is on the cutting edge of sneaker technology. There is exactly one reason to wear the Nike GT Jump 2: the cushioning. With a massive slab of React foam in the back, two huge Air Zoom units in the forefoot, a full-length Zoom strobel, and a jump plate helping all of that work together, this is the most advanced cushioning setup ever created. The impact protection on these shoes is unparalleled. If you are a heavy player who gets sore feet or knees, these are the sneakers for you. We could play on cement for a full day and not have the slightest pain in any joints when wearing these. Full review. Price: $180
Nike Book 1
The Nike Book 1 is a simple but awesome basketball shoe. If you like 90’s style basketball shoes, this is a no-brainer. The Book 1 has everything you could ask for in terms of design, quality of materials, and no-frills on-court performance, AND, surprisingly, it will hold up really well outdoors. The Book 1 proves that lightweight textiles are more of a gimmick than a performance feature and they are widely used as a cost-cutting measure for companies and not to create better products for the consumer. The Nike Book 1 is great for volleyball players who want a comfortable, well-cushioned shoe with reliable traction and stability. It’s a solid choice for both front-row hitters and defensive players. Read full review. Price $140
Let us know what you think. Did we leave anything out? Is there another shoe that you’d put on the list? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments, Twitter, Instagram, or our Discord community.
