Playing multiple sports is fun for many reasons, but does it have to be so expensive? Do you have to buy new equipment for every activity – a new kit, even new shoes? What if you want to use your volleyball shoes for other sports?
You’ll never be able to play tennis with a ping-pong bat, and you should never go road-running in soccer boots. However, volleyball shoes are flexible enough to suit some sports besides their main purpose. Our guide covers which activities they’re suitable for.
What Are Volleyball Shoes Good For?
The key features of volleyball shoes are as follows.
- Boosting agility – the shoes are light, enabling you to move around the court easily and switch directions quickly.
- Shock absorbing – they’re ideal for absorbing shock when you land. This is essential in any sport that involves jumping.
- Dealing with overpronation – overpronation is when your foot rolls too far inwards when you move. Volleyball shoes have supports to prevent this from damaging your feet.
- Supporting your ankles – your ankles need to be able to twist and turn on the court. They need good support to prevent this from putting too much strain on one spot, which can lead to sprains.
- Offering grip – you need a good grip! Otherwise, you could slip and injure yourself. This is common in many court-based sports.
If you have other special requirements for footwear, consult a physiotherapist or podiatrist to find out if your shoes are appropriate for other uses. To learn more, read our guide on why you should use volleyball shoes and their benefits.
What Other Sports Can Volleyball Shoes Be Used For?
Let’s cover other popular sports and find out which activities these features are suitable for. Some sports might tick all these boxes but need additional features, such as studs or spikes if the sport is played on grass. Others might have polar requirements, e.g. corrections for underpronation in long-distance running shoes (although overpronation can also be a risk here – it depends on your foot shape).
Running
Do you need to buy a new pair of shoes just for your morning jog? It seems silly when you’ve got some perfectly good sports shoes already available. So can you use volleyball shoes for running?
Advantages
- Correcting for overpronation is a feature of many running shoes.
- Likewise, shock absorption is essential in any good pair of running sneakers. You might think that you could substitute them for running easily enough.
Disadvantages
- Volleyball footwear is designed to be worn indoors. As you’ll typically be running outside, it means that you’ll wear out the grip and soles much more quickly.
- Long-distance running sneakers use a different type of shock absorption than volleyball footwear. You need this, especially if you’re running on concrete.
- Your regular walking sneakers are probably better suited for jogging than footwear designed for the court.
Verdict
It’s not recommended that you use this type of special footwear for running. Without properly caring for your shoes, you’ll just have to replace your volleyball shoes more quickly, and they might not offer the type of protection you need while jogging.
Basketball
If you love court sports that involve a lot of running and jumping, you probably enjoy basketball as well as volleyball! But can you substitute the footwear?
Advantages
- The sports are very similar and the shoes are manufactured for a similar purpose – running and jumping high!
- Volleyball footwear offers amazing cushioning when landing from a jump. This makes them suitable for basketball.
- They’re widely available and might be a cheaper alternative.
Disadvantages
- You might find some basketball footwear is heavier than you’re used to and the soles aren’t as easy to turn on.
Verdict
You can switch this footwear either way and enjoy good results. It gets a tick from us!
Tennis
Taking up tennis, but don’t want to splash out on new gear straight away? Let’s see if you can substitute.
Advantages
- Volleyball gear is lightweight and provides cushioning in the right places for tennis.
- The sports are both often played on a hard court – the surface is similar.
- You need a great grip for tennis, which suits volleyball footwear.
Disadvantages
- It’s not suitable for tennis on grass or played in wet conditions.
Verdict
For most people, volleyball footwear is a great choice for tennis. Enjoy!
Walking
Can you go for a walk in your volleyball footwear? Of course, you can – but should you?
Advantages
- The footwear is comfortable, which is a must when walking.
Disadvantages
- If you’re walking outdoors, you’ll wear the soles down quickly.
- Indoor footwear doesn’t enjoy getting wet repeatedly.
- Why use your special volleyball shoes for something a cheap pair of sneakers can do just fine?
Verdict
Find a cheap, comfortable pair of shoes for everyday use – save your specialist footwear for the court.
Badminton
Badminton and volleyball are popular among people who enjoy the same type of fast-paced sports that demand quick reactions. Is the footwear compatible?
Advantages
- The footwear suits the same type of movement.
- Both sports are commonly played on an indoor court.
Disadvantages
- If you’re planning to play badminton outdoors, the footwear is less appropriate – it will wear down.
Verdict
Volleyball shoes are well-suited to indoor badminton. If you plan to play outdoors, consider alternative footwear.
Gym Training, Lifting, & CrossFit
Want to wear your volleyball shoes to the gym? Find out if they’re suitable footwear for CrossFit, lifting, and indoor training.
Advantages
- They’re perfectly suited for light, indoor use.
- The shock absorption works well for aerobic activities like skipping or jumps.
- A good grip is useful in the gym.
Disadvantages
- Some people prefer a heavier sole for weight training.
- Not appropriate for running on treadmills – they’ll wear down.
Verdict
For most gym applications, volleyball shoes are a great choice. Give it a try and see how they feel!
Soccer
Soccer is increasingly popular in the U.S. However, it tends to demand bespoke footwear.
Advantages
- None, really – even indoor soccer requires heavier, thicker shoes. Being able to turn easily is a minor plus.
Disadvantages
- Soccer is typically played outside on the grass.
- Most soccer boots require studs.
- Volleyball shoes are too light – kicking the ball will hurt!
Verdict
If soccer is your new thing, it’s time to invest in some good-quality boots. This isn’t a crossover that works.
Pickleball
Ever heard of pickleball? Imagine tennis played on a badminton-sized court using a giant ping-pong bat. There you go. But what’s the footwear situation?
Advantages
- Agility is everything in close quarters. Volleyball shoes are ideal for this.
- Cushioning helps protect your feet from overpronation.
- The courts are typically hard and often indoors.
Disadvantages
- Don’t drop the bat on your foot! Volleyball footwear is very light.
Verdict
Volleyball shoes are perfect for pickleball, which is great news because there’s not a huge supply of bespoke pickleball footwear.
Squash
Fast-paced, played indoors, requires you to turn on a pin – sound familiar? Can you use volleyball shoes for squash?
Advantages
- Almost all design elements of these shoes are the same.
- Cushioning is vital for jumping and quick turning.
- Support is offered in all the right areas.
- They’re played on the same surface.
Disadvantages
- None!
Verdict
A match made in heaven.
Other Sports You Can Use Volleyball Shoes For – Final Thoughts
You can use your volleyball shoes for all types of indoor sports. Just remember not to wear them outside – sure, you can cross the parking lot from the sports center back to your car, but for heavier exercise, it’s not worth the expense.