Badminton shoes and volleyball shoes may look similar at first glance. Both are designed with a sleek, light, and thin upper that hugs your feet tightly for optimal agility on the court.
However, there are several differences between badminton shoes and volleyball shoes that you should consider when making your selection.
Here’s a brief overview of the key differences between badminton shoes and volleyball shoes so that you can choose the proper footwear for your specific needs, whether you’re new to either other sport or if you’ve played for a while but want to upgrade your gear.
Differences between badminton shoes and volleyball shoes
indoor Badminton and volleyball shoes use a lightweight, thin, seamless upper design for maximum ankle mobility and a snug fit around the foot.
Additionally, both shoes are designed to be worn indoors on synthetic court surfaces to prevent sliding and maintain traction. However, there are several key differences between badminton shoes and volleyball shoes.
Badminton shoes have a non-marking outsole designed for repulsion on badminton courts. These are engineered to repel badminton court floors (made of rubber or synthetic materials) to prevent the soles from leaving marks or damaging the court.
On the other hand, volleyball shoes have a slightly more aggressive outsole designed for attraction on volleyball courts. Badminton shoes are designed to be lightweight with a low- to mid-cut ankle height.
They often have a thin, low- to no-profile outsole that provides a great court feel and light traction.
Badminton shoes are designed to be worn indoors on synthetic surfaces with a low- to mid-cut ankle height that doesn’t interfere with the net play.
Shoe variations based on the court surface
Outdoor Badminton shoes are made for synthetic court surfaces. Badminton shoes are engineered to repel badminton court floors (which are made of rubber or synthetic materials) to prevent the soles from leaving marks or damaging the court.
They are lightweight, have certain features to a low- to mid-cut ankle height, and often have a thin, low- to the no-profile outsole that provides excellent court feel and light traction. Volleyball shoes are designed for hard court surfaces
They are designed to be worn indoors on synthetic surfaces with a low- to mid-cut ankle height that doesn’t interfere with the net play.
They are engineered with an aggressive outsole that provides excellent traction on hard court surfaces.
Shoe design differences
Best Badminton shoes are typically lighter in weight and more minimalistic than volleyball shoes. Badminton shoes are built for speed and agility on the court with a closed-back and a low- to mid-cut ankle height that enables quick lateral movement.
Volleyball shoes are made for lateral and vertical movement but with slightly more support and cushioning than badminton shoes.
Badminton shoes have a closed back with a snug fit around the foot to help keep your feet close to the floor and maintain an optimal court feel.
The closed-back design also ensures that no dirt or debris can get in the shoe while playing.
Volleyball shoes have an open-back design with a loose and comfortable fit
Best Volleyball shoes have an open back with a flexible and comfortable fit around the foot. The open-back design allows for airflow and keeps the feet cool while playing.
Jumping ability
Badminton shoes are built for speed and agility on the court with a closed-back and a low- to mid-cut ankle height that enables quick lateral movement.
The closed-back design also ensures that no dirt or debris can get in the shoe while playing. Volleyball shoes are built for lateral and vertical movement
Volleyball shoes are made for lateral and vertical movement but with slightly more support and cushioning than badminton shoes.
Volleyball shoes have an open-back design with a loose and comfortable fit that allows for airflow and keeps the feet cool while playing.
Grip and traction
Badminton shoes are engineered to repel badminton court floors (made of rubber or synthetic materials) to prevent the soles from leaving marks or damaging the court.
Badminton shoes are designed to repel to avoid unwanted effects on synthetic courts. Volleyball shoes have an aggressive outsole designed for attraction
Volleyball shoes are engineered with an aggressive outsole that provides excellent traction on hard court surfaces.
Volleyball shoes are designed to attract to maintain traction on hard court surfaces.
Ankle Support
Badminton shoes have a low- to mid-cut ankle height that helps with quick lateral movement and staying close to the ground.
This low- to mid-cut ankle height also ensures that no dirt or debris can get in the shoe while playing. Volleyball shoes have a high ankle height
– Volleyball shoes have a tall ankle height that helps with lateral and vertical movement. The high ankle height provides more support than badminton shoes.
Soles
Badminton shoes have a thin, low- to the no-profile outsole that provides an excellent court feel while maintaining speed and agility on the court.
Badminton shoes have a thin outsole that allows professional players to feel the court and control the shuttle. Volleyball shoes have a thicker outsole –
Volleyball shoes have a thicker outsole that provides great traction on hard court surfaces. The thicker outsole on volleyball shoes offers more support and stability than badminton shoes.
Weight
Badminton shoes are lighter in weight than volleyball shoes
The lighter weight of badminton shoes allows players to move faster and more agilely on the court.
Volleyball shoes are generally heavier in weight than badminton shoes.
Shock Absorption
Badminton shoes have a thinner outsole and a more minimalistic design than volleyball shoes.
The thinner outsole and lighter weight of badminton shoes provide less shock absorption than volleyball shoes.
Badminton shoes are designed for indoor synthetic court play
They are built with a lightweight, minimalistic, and thin design to provide optimal court feel and agility on the synthetic court.
How to choose a badminton shoe or a volleyball shoe?
When shopping for badminton shoes vs volleyball shoes, you’ll want to consider several key factors: your playing level and style, your foot type, your playing surface, and your budget.
By understanding your specific needs, you can easily pick the best pair of court shoes for your game.
Your playing level and style If you’re just getting started in a particular sport, then you’ll probably want to pick a low-end shoe with a looser and more relaxed fit.
As you improve, you can gradually upgrade to a higher-end shoe with more support and a tighter fit.
You should also consider your foot type (pronation, supination, etc.) when choosing a shoe.
It’s important to note that a shoe’s outsole will not correct your foot type; it is designed to complement your foot type.
For example, a foot-correcting shoe will not fix pronation but will provide support and stability for a neutral foot type.
Finally, you should consider your playing surface. An outdoor shoe will not be as durable as an indoor shoe, so keep that in mind when making your selection.
Head to our Badminton Shoes or Volleyball shoe pages to start browsing our selection of court shoes, and be sure to use the filters to narrow down your search by foot type, playing level, and surface.
If you still have questions about choosing the right pair, feel free to contact our volleyball and badminton specialists, who would be happy to help you out.
Conclusion
So buying shoes is not that easy, it’s a very personal thing, one person might like a shoe, but someone else might hate it, so there is no general rule that one shoe is good for everyone.
But if you are looking for some shoes which will be comfortable and durable at the same time, then badminton shoes or volleyball shoes are the best choices.
Both badminton shoes and volleyballs have spikes on the bottom, which help grip the ground, making your movement much easier and more efficient.
This will prevent you from getting injured, which is another plus point of these shoes.
Moreover, these pairs are water-resistant, which means that you can wash them without damaging the fabric of the shoe. Also, they are lightweight and easy to put on or take off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sport Should You Play in Athletic Badminton Shoes?
There are two types of athletic footwear available. One is designed for the gym, and the other for the basketball court.
If you are looking for a pair of shoes that can be worn during training and competition, Badminton shoes are perfect. The specialized design makes them ideal for both indoor and outdoor games.
Moreover, Badminton shoes feature high-quality insole that helps with the back pain associated with the sport. They have a specialized tread that enables you to move freely on different surfaces. Finally, they have a light design that allows you to jump higher and run faster.
Which Sport Should You Play in Volleyball-specific Shoe?
The shoes are designed to promote power transfer and stability while playing in different conditions. With the combined use of rubber soles, several other materials, and the right cushioning, you can play in the most comfortable shoes possible. Additionally, you will have the perfect equipment for your game with the Nike Volleyball shoes.
Why You Need to Play Badminton or Volleyball in Specific Shoes
For badminton, you should have shoes that are light and flexible. They should also have a grip on the soles to enable you to play in all conditions. For volleyball, since the game requires a lot of movement, you need comfortable and supportive shoes.
