Editor’s Note: This post has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects an up-to-date selection of the best wide volleyball shoes for women.
I have been contacted by several women with wide feet who have a really hard time finding a pair of volleyball shoes as they all tend to be too tight for their feet. Most women end up having to size up to prevent the shoes from feeling too narrow, but playing volleyball in shoes that are too long can compromise your stability. There is only a small selection of wide volleyball shoes for women, but the good news is that I will help you find them.
Volleyball is a sport that requires agility and a lot of jumping, and whether you play volleyball for fun or competitively, wearing the right footwear is incredibly important. The volleyball shoes that I recommend provide great gripping abilities for quick lateral movements and have good shock absorption for hard landings.
Playing volleyball in a pair of shoes that is too narrow and that puts too much pressure on your feet will eventually take its toll on your feet, so getting the correct type of volleyball shoes will make all the difference and make your game more enjoyable.
My Experience Fitting Women’s Shoes
I have helped several women with wide feet find the perfect pair of sport shoes for their feet, and I am confident I will be able to help you as well.
Did you know that when women play volleyball they stress their feet and legs at a whole different level, putting them at a higher risk for injuries? If you have ever played volleyball, you probably know how much more our feet impact the ground than when we are walking or running. Wearing the correct shoe size, width, and style is not something to take lightly.
Are Volleyball Shoes Support to Feel Tight?
Your volleyball shoes need to be able to move with your foot, meaning that the shoes should fit snugly, with the foot not moving inside.
What Makes the Volleyball Shoes that I Recommend Ideal for Women with Wide Feet?
The volleyball shoes that I recommend provide 2 key features that makes them ideal for women with wide feet:
☑️ Round Toe-Box: This feature helps prevent your toes from overlapping or rubbing against one another or the side of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
☑️ Extra Depth: This feature is really important if you have a high instep, as the deeper the shoes are, the deepest your feet will fit inside the shoes. Shoes with extra depth help prevent the top part of your foot (instep) from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. Take a look at the image below for better visualization purposes:
The following are extra features that the volleyball shoes that I recommend provide:
- Shock absorption
- Extra lateral support
- Extra cushioning
- Reinforced outsoles
- Reinforced toecaps
- Heavier and stiffer materials
Before I show you which are the best wide volleyball shoes for women, I want to make sure that you know your exact foot size, as that’s the only way that you will be able to order the correct shoe size online. To get all of the benefits and features that a good shoe provides, you must wear them in the correct shoe size.
Do You Know What Shoe Size You Need to Order Online?
If you prefer online shopping and are in fact going to be buying your shoes online, you need to be absolutely sure that you know your correct foot size. For example, are you positive that you have wide feet or do you have a feeling that you might have extra wide feet? Do you know whether you have a high instep or not?
I have noticed that many women wear shoes that are too narrow and too short for their feet, and what they don’t realize is that they can end up causing themselves mild to severe foot related issues.
Shoes that are too short or too narrow will make your toes rub and overlap against one other, and that constant rubbing can lead to blisters or corns. Shoes that are too long or too wide will allow your feet to move too much inside the shoes, and that constant movement will also lead to the foot issues mentioned above.
Don’t Insist On Buying the Same Shoe Size You Worn for Years
Don’t insist on buying a certain shoe size just because that’s the size you have worn for years. Your foot shape and size can change over time, and some of the factors that contribute to this change are pregnancy, aging and weight gain or loss. Over time and because of gravity, our feet might get longer and wider.
As we age, the body’s ligaments and tendons lose their strength and ability to spring back. This means that our arches decrease, which flattens and lengthens the foot and toes.
This often results in an increase in shoe size by a half-size or more. You might also experience a change in foot width, meaning that even though you always ordered medium width shoes now you might have to start ordering wider shoes.
I wrote an article that describes the simplest yet most effective way to figure out your foot size from home. Click on the link below to read it:
How to Measure Your Foot Shoe Size – The Most Simple and Effective Way!
Below you can find a selection of the best wide volleyball shoes for women. Make sure that you choose your correct shoe width (wide or extra wide). Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
Best Wide Volleyball Shoes for Women ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Click on the image of each shoe to check what other colors that specific style is available in. Remember that volleyball is a court sport, and there is a lot of lateral movement (compared to the linear motion in running) and a lot of jumping. Both of the volleyball shoes below provide gum rubber outsoles which are ideal for playing volleyball as they allow for better lateral movements.
- This shoe is especially made for women with wider feet as it allows the toes freedom of movement and a more comfortable experience
- The interior of the shoe uses a honeycomb insole and Ortholite material to add cushioning and provide extra support
- Durable EVA material acts as shock absorber and enhances agility, allowing you to play your best on the volleyball court
- Lightweight and flexible
- Gum rubber outsole for better lateral movements
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
To prevent your toes from rubbing against the front or side part of the shoes, I highly recommend that you order these shoes half a size larger than the size that your feet measure. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoes.
- The Mizuno Wave plate disperses energy from impact to a broader area providing a stable platform and a superior cushioning
- Dura Shield: Protects toe from the damage of friction to the floor
- Gum rubber outsole for better lateral movements
- Lightweight and flexible
- Mesh material allows the feet to breathe
What Shoe Size Should You Order?
To prevent your toes from rubbing against the front or side part of the shoes, I highly recommend that you order these shoes half a size larger than the size that your feet measure. This translates to 3/16 of an inch or 0.4 centimeters of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoes.
How to Tie Your Volleyball Shoes to Get the Most Out of the Shoes?
There is a specific shoe lacing technique that I recommend applying to all sport shoes, as it secures the foot and allows players to get the full support and stability that the shoes have to offer. You can learn more about this shoe lacing technique in the article below:
The Best Way to Tie Shoes – The Proven Method to Make Your Shoes Feel Better!
Most women who already tried these shoes loved how lightweight they were, while still providing good support. Wearing the correct types of volleyball shoes in the correct size can make all the difference in the court. You will be able to play comfortably and prevent foot issues such as blisters, calluses, or corns.
Volleyball is a high energy sport, so wearing supportive shoes that efficiently absorb shock and reduce stress on your feet and legs is key to keeping your feet, knees, and legs healthy.
Finding a pair of volleyball shoes that are capable of fitting wide feet can be a challenging task. There aren’t many volleyball shoes that have compatibility with wide-footed people.
Have you found a specific pair of volleyball shoes that worked well for your wide feet? Let us know in the comment section below as other women will benefit from learning about your experiences.
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