How Should Volleyball Shoes Fit in 2024? 3 Ways to Know

Shoes are vital gear for any athletic sport. That’s why every professional player pays almost 100% attention to purchasing the right sports equipment. The right gear boosts a player’s performance and confidence in the field. Hence, you must pay concentration to your volleyball shoes.

Now, how should volleyball shoes fit? The easy and practical answer is that. When you wear footwear, they shouldn’t be too loose so that your feet freely move inside the shoes. Or it shouldn’t be too tight that you sense stress on your feet. After wearing a new pair, you must check them by doing lateral movements and jumping.

It’s good to be worried about “how should volleyball shoes fit?“. Don’t worry; here you’ll get the right solution to “how tight volleyball shoes should be?“. You’ll even get expert guidance to choose the best volleyball footwear to start playing and enhance your performance.

How Should Volleyball Shoes Fit? 3+ Ways To Know

While purchasing a shoe pair, it’s necessary to check if it fits well on your feet. Well-fitted shoes enhance your performance. If they’re too loose or too tight, you’ll feel awkward, uncomfortable, stressed on your foot and unnecessary motion of your feet into shoes. So, your question “how should volleyball shoes fit” needs the right answer.

The answer is that your volleyball shoes provide a comfortable fit. Your feet shouldn’t move freely inside shoes and not feel stress/pressure due to over-tightness. There should be a space between the top cap of the shoes and your toes around one finger or less. This space prevents injury to your fingers while jumping and landing.

You can utilize these 3+ ways to know the proper fit of your shoes.

The shoe should be a snug fit.
The shoes should provide good arch support.
Maintain a space of roughly the width of a finger amidst your big toe and the forward edge of the shoe.
Walk around by wearing the shoes for a few minutes to ensure they fit and comfort. If you feel uncomfortable, then try a different size.

Should Volleyball Shoes Be Tight?

Yes, volleyball shoes should be tight but not excessively. The right tightness is important for optimal performance and safety on the court. Necessary tightness makes you comfortable and secure feet by blocking excessive movements inside your shoes.

Excessive tightness makes you uncomfortable and may cause blisters or calluses. You’ll not perform well on the court. You may leave your game in between due to over-pressure on the feet. So, Volleyball shoes should be snugly tight.

The Importance of Obtaining the Correct Size and Fit

Getting the correct size and fit gives you a lot of benefits, as mentioned below:

You’ll get optimal comfort.
Your performance will automatically increase when your feet feel comfortable and supported.
The correct size and fit prevent you from injuries.
Ill-fitting shoes can give you long-term consequences for your foot health. It can cause foot deformities, misalignments, or chronic foot conditions. By choosing the right size and fit, you prioritize the health of your feet.

How To Choose The Right-Sized Volleyball Shoe? 3 Steps Formula

Generally, the volleyball shoe size is similar to your regular (running or walking) shoe size. So, you can pick the exact size that your regular footwears have. Therefore, if you need to know the size of your regular sneaker and want to buy a new volleyball shoe pair.

Follow the following 3 step formula to get well-fitted shoes.

1- Measure Foot Length

First, use a ruler or measuring tape to measure your foot’s length accurately. Put your bare foot on the ruler/measuring tape on a flat surface. Now measure the size of both your feet from the starting heel to your longest toe tip.

2- Measure Foot Width

Use a flexible messing tape to measure the correct foot width. It’s necessary to measure the instep and girth.

Measure Instep: Position the tape around the broadest section of your foot and create a mark where the tape intersects.
Measure Girth: Position the measuring tape around the broadest part of your foot before the toes and measure its width.

3- Understand Arch Height and Foot Shape

It’s necessary to know your foot shape and arch height. It’s a huge impact on shoe fitting. So, It’s vital to know if your foot is normal, flat or has a high arch.

How to Find Arch Type?

Wet your feet: Begin by wetting the soles of your feet. You can either step into a shallow water basin or dampen them with a wet towel.
Examine your footprint: Step onto a piece of paper or a flat surface that will leave a visible imprint on your foot. Ensure that your weight is evenly distributed.
Analyze the footprint: Step off the paper and take a close look at the shape of the imprint left by your foot.

Types of Foot Arches

Flat Feet (Very Low Arch): If your footprint shows nearly the sole of your foot, with little to no curve on the inside, you likely have low arches or what is commonly referred to as flat feet.
Normal Arch: If you observe a moderate curve along the inside of your foot, with a noticeable but not excessive space between the heel and the ball of the foot, you possess a normal arch.
High Arches: If the imprint reveals a narrow strip or a thin line along the outside of your foot, accompanied by a prominent curve on the inside, you likely have high arches.

7 Tips for Finding the Right Fit Volleyball Shoes

Consider your playing style.
Wear the exact kind of socks you’ll wear when playing volleyball.
Your toes should wiggle freely.
Try on both shoes in a pair to ensure they fit the same.
The heel should fit snugly.
To verify their comfort level, engage in walking and jumping activities while wearing the shoes.
If you need clarification on the fit, buy the shoes from a store with a good return policy. (Amazon provides a good return policy).

What Shoes Do Pro Volleyball Players Wear?

Pro volleyball players wear specialized volleyball shoes that’re designed to provide the required support, traction, cushioning, and durability on the volleyball court.

These shoes are popular in pros players:

Asics Sky Elite FF
Mizuno Wave Momentum 2
Nike React Hyperset

FAQs

Volleyball shoes are too tight; you’ll feel a strain on your feet. They should be snugly fit so that you should feel comfortable.

Yes, you do have to break in volleyball shoes. New volleyball shoes can initially be stiff and uncomfortable, but they’ll become more comfortable as they break in. You can do a few things to help break in your new volleyball shoes:

Wear them indoors for a few hours.
Play volleyball with them. The more you use your shoes, the faster they will break in.
Use a shoe stretcher.

The lifespan of volleyball shoes can vary depending on various factors, such as frequency of use, playing style, the type of surface you play on, and shoe quality. However, a general guideline is to replace volleyball shoes every 6 to 12 months or when you notice significant wear and tear.

Here are some signs that it’s time to replace your volleyball shoes:

The shoes are starting to feel worn out.
The shoes no longer offer the necessary support or cushioning required for optimal comfort and performance.
The shoes are starting to fall apart.
You’re encountering annoyance or distress in your feet.

Generally It’s recommended to size down for volleyball shoes. It’s because volleyball shoes must fit snugly to provide good support and prevent your feet from sliding around during play. You’ll feel ankle sprain or unexpected injuries if your shoes are too loose.

Volleyball shoes are supposed to be snug but not too tight. When trying on a pair of volleyball shoes, it is advisable to have approximately a finger’s width of space between the end of your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. The heel should also fit snugly, but you shouldn’t have any pain, stress or discomfort when you walk or jump.

Final Words

In conclusion, “How should volleyball shoes fit?“. Ensuring the perfect fit for your volleyball shoes is crucial to achieving optimal comfort and maintaining the health of your feet. When trying on volleyball shoes, it is essential to verify that there is ample space for your toes, a comfortably snug fit around the heel, and appropriate arch support. Additionally, the midfoot should feel secure, and overall comfort should be prioritized.

Remember that everyone’s feet are unique, so take the time to try on different brands and models to find the perfect fit for you. It’s worth visiting a specialized sports store where the staff can provide expert guidance and assistance.

Investing in volleyball shoes that fit you properly can significantly improve your performance while minimizing the chance of injuries. So lace up those shoes, enjoy the game, and embrace the benefits of a well-fitted pair of volleyball shoes!

How Should Volleyball Shoes Fit? Ultimate Guide

How Should Volleyball Shoes Fit? 3+ Ways To Know

Should Volleyball Shoes Be Tight?

The Importance of Obtaining the Correct Size and Fit