Can You Wear Tennis Shoes For Volleyball? [Guide 2024]

Will wearing those old tennis shoes on the volleyball court cause you any problems is what you’re wondering about?

Whether there’s even a difference between tennis and volleyball shoes to begin with might be what you’re unsure about, perhaps.

Can you wear tennis shoes for Volleyball? For casual volleyball play, tennis shoes, similar as they are to volleyball shoes, are usually fine. Nonetheless, the notable differences render tennis shoes an inadequate long-term choice for volleyball players.

Taking a look at the 4 major differences between tennis shoes and volleyball shoes, and the reasons to avoid wearing them on the volleyball court if possible is the focus of this article.

The 4 Main Differences Between Tennis Shoes & Volleyball Shoes

Designed to optimize the movements performed by athletes wearing them, all sports shoes share a common purpose.

Involving distinct movements, tennis, and volleyball, despite their similarities, are fundamentally different sports.

The primary difference lies in the impact of jumping and landing, significantly influencing the design of the shoes.

Volleyball’s notable distinction lies in its usual play on hardwood floors, rather than on concrete, grass, or clay surfaces like other sports.

1. Different Outsole Designs

The outsoles of tennis shoes and volleyball shoes differ significantly in one major aspect.

Usually crafted with thicker, heavier, and more durable rubber, tennis shoes are designed to withstand outdoor courts without fraying easily.

Made with very soft gum rubber, volleyball shoes aim to maximize grip specifically on the hardwood indoor court surface.

To maximize grip, tennis and volleyball shoes typically incorporate very low-profile traction patterns.

Unlike running shoes, which possess much deeper grooves, enhancing traction on uneven surfaces, tennis, and volleyball shoes feature low-profile traction patterns for optimized grip on their respective courts.

2. Lateral Stiffness & Sidewall

Aggressive changes of direction are more common among tennis players than volleyball players, highlighting a notable distinction in their movements.

Occasionally, in tennis matches, players are observed sliding sideways across the court, digging their feet in to swiftly change directions—a distinctive maneuver rarely seen in volleyball.

Tennis shoes typically incorporate thicker materials running down the sides just above the midsoles to withstand the significant pressure exerted on the shoe’s outside during aggressive changes of direction, a stress less commonly encountered in volleyball shoes.

Internal sidewalls, reinforcing the sides to maintain foot stability within the shoe, are a common feature found in tennis shoes.

Volleyball shoes, in contrast, typically offer greater freedom and relaxation in terms of lateral containment, sometimes allowing the foot to slightly extend over the sole during lateral movements.

3. Midsole Thickness & Cushioning

Tennis shoes, on average, feature slightly thinner midsoles with reduced cushioning compared to other sports shoes.

Resulting in reduced bounce during jumps and decreased impact protection upon landing, the thinner midsoles in tennis shoes have these implications.

Given the minimal jumping in tennis compared to the substantial jumping in volleyball, the differences in midsole thickness between their respective shoes align with these specific sports demands.

This results in tennis shoes typically offering a more “low to the ground” sensation, whereas volleyball shoes often provide a higher feel above the ground.

4. Heel Toe Transition & Forefoot Flex

With certain shoes, another noticeable difference lies in what’s termed the ‘heel-toe transition,’ signifying how effectively the shoe moves from the heel to the toe during motion.

Indicating the smoothness of the shoe during jumping, the heel-toe transition and the level of flex in the forefoot provide insights into its performance.

This preference for volleyball shoes—boasting a smooth heel-toe transition and ample forefoot flex—stems from the aim to facilitate easier jumping while playing.

Certain tennis shoes, due to being excessively flat and rigid, tend to produce a noticeable ‘slap’ against the floor during jumping movements.

The Inadequacy of Tennis Shoes for Volleyball: Reasons and Implications

For liberos or setters predominantly operating from the backcourt, relying on tennis shoes might suffice since their roles typically don’t demand extensive extra cushioning.

Contrarily, spikers heavily rely on a thicker midsole with superior cushioning to safeguard their joints due to the specific demands of their role.

Repeated jumping in tennis shoes might lead to aching joints as they often lack sufficient shock absorption capabilities, potentially impacting comfort during prolonged use.

As mentioned, tennis shoes often exhibit less smoothness in jumping than other specialized sports shoes.

When on the court, a quality pair of volleyball shoes should evoke a sense of springiness during jumps and offer a soft, comfortable landing experience.

Using tennis shoes won’t deliver that desired experience, plain and simple.

Due to their outsoles designed for concrete or clay, tennis shoes often lack the grip necessary for the hardwood court surface.

Resulting in excessive shoe sliding, particularly on dusty volleyball courts, this lack of grip from tennis shoes can potentially pose safety concerns.

The reduced responsiveness caused by this lack of traction on indoor courts can hinder agility and slow down movements while playing.

Can You Wear Tennis Shoes For Volleyball? And vice versa

If we were to switch roles and wear volleyball shoes for tennis, what outcomes might we expect?

Considering the scenario of wearing volleyball shoes for tennis, it might be an even worse idea than opting for tennis shoes on the volleyball court!

Due to their deficiency in traction, lateral containment, and durability, volleyball shoes are not recommended for use in tennis.

The rubber bottoms of volleyball shoes, being too soft, tend to fray quickly and are generally ill-suited for concrete or tennis court surfaces, unable to withstand the demands posed by these environments.

Wearing volleyball shoes on a tennis court, with their elevated height from the ground, lack of internal side walls, and softer materials along the sides, significantly increases the risk of ankle rolling compared to tennis shoes.

For similar reasons, changing directions while wearing volleyball shoes on a tennis court might result in decreased speed and agility.

Best Tennis Shoes For Volleyball

When choosing tennis shoes for volleyball, the Asics Gel-Dedicate 7 would be my top pick due to its striking similarity to many other Asics court shoes commonly worn for volleyball.

With a traction pattern quite akin to Asics’ volleyball shoes and a relatively smooth heel-toe transition, the Asics Gel-Dedicate 7 offers similarities conducive to volleyball play.

However, being a budget shoe, there might be concerns regarding its cushioning strength and potential durability issues, possibly leading to premature wear and tear.

For beginner liberos and setters with less emphasis on extensive jumping, this shoe might serve adequately despite potential limitations, considering its budget nature.

Closing Remarks

The distinction between tennis shoes and volleyball shoes lies in their specific designs tailored to the demands of each sport, evident in their names.

Wearing volleyball and tennis shoes interchangeably isn’t advisable due to the stark differences in the movements required for each sport.

Wearing tennis shoes for a volleyball match might be survivable, but it wouldn’t offer the best on-court experience. It’s not something you’d want to make a habit of!

Also Read: Are Running Shoes Good For Volleyball [2024]