What makes volleyball shoes special

While some sports can skate by using a cross trainer, this can actually cause the performance of a player to suffer, or worse, become a candidate for injury. This type of rubber is what makes volleyball shoes so clutch. The rubber is often died to match the shoes but keep the courts skid-mark-free.

Gum rubber is a type of rubber that is soft and pliable. You may have seen this rubber used in tubing or squeegees. Because of its flexibility, gum rubber allows for impact and movement on the court, holding up even after numerous jumps. Besides just allowing for flexibility, the gum rubber is conducive to the motions of volleyball players.

With quick cuts, jumps, stop-and-go type motion, the gum rubber gives necessary traction. This traction and slip-resistant nature of the gum rubber is a force unmatched in another shoe, let alone essential to help prevent injuries. The whole purpose of the midsole in a volleyball shoe is to support the ball of the foot. Because a volleyball player spends much of her time on the balls of her feet, the midsole of a shoe must be strong enough to absorb the shock, while still allowing flexibility.

With an emphasis on standing on the ball of the feet, players can quickly move forward and side to side without fatigue. Movement of the feet produces heat. Heat breeds sweat and moisture. To keep your feet dry and not slipping around in your shoes, you need a shoe that permits airflow. The upper section of volleyball shoes typically consists of nylon or mesh. The material grants airflow, keeping moisture at bay and the foot cooler. Cool and dry feet equal a better performance. It is imperative you choose a shoe with an adequate amount of cushioning.

With jumping so much, the continuous impact that comes with playing can cause your feet to swell. This makes your once fitting shoes now seem quite tight. The inner cushioning is generally a gel or compression molding.

Like the rest of the shoes, the cushioning is designed with the intention of allowing your shoe to absorb shock and simultaneously support the quick cross moves during play. Without this function, you are more likely to sustain an injury during the season. Forget being weighed down by hefty kicks. Weighing between 9. A volleyball shoe should fit snugly around your foot, without pinching or rubbing. Similar to other sports shoes, the shoe should not allow your foot to move inside of the shoe.

With jump after jump, it does not take long for your heels and sides of the foot to create rub burns or blisters. The price of volleyball shoes is comparable to other athletic shoes. Higher quality, recently designed shoes from known brands cost more, while older models with fewer enhancements cost less. After graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in sports information, Jill Lee served for 10 years as a magazine editor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes FCA.

Also a published author, Lee now works as a professional writer and editor focusing on fitness, sports and careers. Live Healthy Sports. By Jill Lee. Comfort Vs. Cruiser Bicycles Hockey Visor vs. Basketball shoes and cross trainers are designed for running forward. A volleyball shoe provides stability for the lateral movements. These motions put stress on the balls of the feet and the midsole absorbs most of the shock.

Due to these stresses, the midsole needs to be extremely strong while remaining flexible. Generally, this is achieved by some form of foam.

In higher end shoes, this foam is enhanced by gel or air cushions. This depends on the manufacturer and line of shoes. The upper section of the shoe usually is made of nylon or a mesh material. These uppers are designed to be lightweight and allow air in so the foot can breathe to reduce moisture and keep the foot cooler.

The gum rubber sole of a volleyball shoe is fairly soft. Wearing your volleyball shoes on abrasive surfaces, like concrete or asphalt, wears the sole out extremely quickly.

Whenever possible, volleyball shoes should be removed before walking on abrasive surfaces. Under normal conditions court use only where a volleyball shoe is worn for practice or a game days a week, the shoe should be expected to last one full season. For more casual use, they generally last a year or more.