Regular Tennis Shoes vs. Volleyball Shoes

Tennis Shoes

• Tennis shoes are designed to endure the impact and rigors of quick actions like stops, starts, short sprints and frequent side-to-side movements. A tennis player typically subjects a lot of impact on the shoes, especially on the toe and sole area of the footwear. If you mostly play tennis on hard court, look for a pair with extra durability on the soles. For tennis players who frequent clay and grass courts, look for features like flexibility and support.

Characteristics

• Tennis shoes are relatively wide with stable outsoles and flat, treaded bottoms. Other common characteristics include a sturdy and durable upper often made of leather or nylon and leather combinations, a snug lacing system for holding the foot in place and cushioning materials made of polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). A tight lacing system is necessary so that your foot stays secure without the need for re-tying due to repeated lateral movements.

Volleyball Shoes

• Volleyball shoes have gum rubber soles for traction, giving them superior grip compared to running or cross-training athletic footwear, according to Allvolleyball.com. Just like tennis shoes, volleyball shoes are designed for handling side-to-side movements. Volleyball shoes are equipped with plenty of cushioning in the forefront of the shoe to protect players from the impact of constant jumps and lands. Typically, volleyball shoes are made of nylon uppers, rubber outsoles and insoles made of EVA for flexibility.

Features and Weight

• Volleyball shoes come in many styles and varying features. The more high-tech features such as GEL-cushioning systems, ClimaLite lining and 3-D Torsion technology add to the shoe price. Many styles have ventilation features such as mesh lining on the tongue. Generally, volleyball shoes for women range from 9 to 11 ounces while volleyball shoes for men range from 11 to 15 ounces. The weight varies depending on the manufacturer, style and size.