Can You Use Tennis Shoes for Volleyball? – Why Not To Wear
Are the games of volleyball and tennis the same or different? Or can you use tennis shoes for volleyball or not? All these questions are often asked. Knowing the difference between volleyball shoes and tennis shoes is very important.
The answer is strong that there is a small difference between volleyball and tennis shoes. Because the quality and usage of tennis and volleyball shoes are different, it is often assumed that the soles of tennis shoes are made of hard materials. A tennis player can easily move around in a coat, hold the ball firmly, throw it, and bounce it.
In contrast, the case of volleyball shoes is different. Their shoes are made of relatively easy materials. Their soles are made of gum rubber, giving the player strong traction and grip. Thanks to this, the players are saved from slipping on the court. Thus it becomes easy to move around the court easily.
You are always on the forefoot in volleyball shoes, which means that the shoes are designed so that you are free from the worry of slipping and falling. While this is not the case with tennis shoes, they are designed differently from volleyball.
Volleyball shoes often weigh less than other athletic shoes, allowing players to perform their game flexibly. Some people try to find common ground between tennis shoes and volleyball when we know many differences.
Volleyball can be played on hardwood courts, while tennis can be played on soft grass courts. This has a great influence on the design of the shoes. The main one is jumping and landing.
Why Volleyball and Tennis shoes aren’t perfect for each other?
Tennis shoes and volleyball shoes have many different characteristics that make them not suitable for each other.
Outsole of the shoes
The first difference found among them is that of the outsole, where there is a clear difference in the outsole. Tennis shoes are thick and heavy because they are made of durable and stable rubber.
Their thick rubber protects the feet of the players from getting hot and tight on the court. While volleyball shoes are made of gum rubber to strengthen the grip on hardwood surfaces, they are much softer than tennis shoes.
Deep patterns are embedded in volleyball and tennis shoes. These shoes have a low profile and offer maximum grip due to low traction. They have deep grooves in the middle, like running shoes. Which help in determining the path
Lateral stiffeners and sidewalls
If you ever get a chance, you will see a clear difference between tennis and volleyball. The game of tennis is much harder and more random than the volleyball game. In it, the player rotates himself and keeps changing moves. Practising tennis like this puts all the emphasis on the shoes.
Due to this, these shoes are thick and durable. Tennis players continue to make aggressive changes on the court as well. In this way, players dig their foot in and slide sideways, which makes their game possible in these shoes. Tennis shoes have a lot of thick material inside that tends to sag over the midsole due to the sheer weight.
Volleyball shoes are less bulky as well as less weight-bearing.In tennis shoes, the sidewall is very strong and soft, which helps to keep the feet safe. The sides of the shoe provide energy to the player during the game. Volleyball shoes often make the foot slightly higher on the soles of the feet during the counter-swing motion and help with counter-spinning.
The midsole of the shoes
Regarding mid-height and thickness, tennis shoes tend to be slim and chunky. Moreover, due to reduced traction, bounce is also reduced, making the footless secure. In tennis, it all works and makes sense. Because there is no jumping and leaping in tennis, it is all bearable.
On the contrary, in volleyball, the player has to play his game with a lot of bounce. That’s why volleyball shoes have a lot of cushioning in the middle of the shoe to keep it high and soft so that the foot movement inside does not affect the game and health.
This means that tennis shoes are thin and low to the ground, while volleyball shoes are high and well above the ground. In other words, the midsole of these two sports is made thin and thick according to their game.
Heel Toe Transition & Forefoot Flex
Another obvious difference between them that we can notice is related to the heel-toe gait. Also known as heel-to-toe transition, it refers to how often the foot can flex from heel to toe. Flexibility in the forefoot of a shoe is very important, which determines how smooth the shoe feels every time it jumps.
This way, the jump in the shoe is easy. Volleyball shoes often have a very fluid and smooth heel-to-toe transition with plenty of flexibility in the forefoot. Some tennis shoes are too stiff and flat, so they slap the ground more when you jump.
Heel Collar or cuff
Above the heel is a padded part called a collar or cuff that keeps the ankles secure and surrounds the ankle part of the shoe. It provides comfort as it is thicker than the rest of the shoe.
Playing tennis puts a lot of pressure and stress on the ankle, so the collar on the back of the tennis shoe is more angled than the volleyball, while the volleyball is the opposite. So that you can get more protection while playing.
Foot cap
The toe cap of the tennis shoe prevents the feet from dragging and falling off and is made of leather in special designs for a traditional look. Additionally, as an added safety measure, some manufacturers add more rubber material to the front of the shoe.
In contrast, volleyball shoes are made from synthetic materials in this region. Less rubber is also suitable for lighter-weight volleyballs made from less material.
Comfort
Volleyball shoes are softer than tennis shoes. Along with the fit of the volleyball shoes, there should also be enough space so the player can play freely. Volleyball shoes are softer than tennis shoes. This is why tennis shoes take some time to get comfortable.
Used materials
The materials used in volleyball shoes and tennis shoes are also different. Volleyball shoes usually use nylon and mesh, while the soles are made of gum rubber. The shoe has synthetic leather paneling to keep the foot safe and secure.
Because there is less need for grip on the courts, tennis shoes will be built of various synthetic and manufactured materials, as well as rubber (but not gum rubber) on the soles. GEL technology is used in the instep regions of several models.
Height
A volleyball shoe is lower than a tennis shoe. It is flat and close to the ground, while a tennis shoe is higher to protect the foot from running. The tennis game requires more running, so its height is higher than a volleyball shoe.
Durability
Concerning durability, it is common for people to pick up some brand of amateur shoes even though it should be different from the case that these sports are specifically designed with durability in mind.
The shoe’s durability is measured by its wear; tennis shoes usually last one year. They will likely serve their time if cared for and played accordingly. Similarly, a pair of volleyball shoes can last almost an entire season if you take good care of them.
The grip of both shoes
Volleyball shoes don’t have a strong grip. They offer little grip on wet or grassy surfaces. In contrast, tennis shoes are heavier and have a stronger grip than other shoes. They are best suited for wet and grassy surfaces.
Cost
Volleyball and tennis shoes cost a little more than other athletic shoes.
They are a bit expensive due to their excellent and high quality
Why Tennis Shoes Aren’t the Best for Volleyball
Closing Remarks
In short, the question always comes up is whether or not tennis shoes can be used for volleyball, but the answer is factually and clearly no, as you can see from the many examples above. You cannot deny the hardness and strength of tennis shoes, so if you play on the volleyball court floor for a long time, you can damage it.
So volleyball shoes should be separated from tennis shoes. You can imagine how different these two sports shoes are from each other. If you try to use one pair of shoes for another sport, you will not have a better experience.
