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Very few volleyball shoes come in true wide widths, which is why players with wide feet so often end up with sore little toes or a shoe that’s too long. The best volleyball shoes for wide feet are either one of the handful sold in a wide width or a shoe with a roomy forefoot. Here are six picks for men and women, plus fitting tricks that help in any shoe.
Quick answer: men with wide feet should start with the ASICS Gel-Rocket 12 Wide, one of the few volleyball shoes sold in a true wide width. Women with wide feet often do best in a men’s or unisex shoe in their converted size. If you prefer a basketball shoe, the New Balance TWO WXY v4 comes in a 2E wide.
How this guide was made: Volleyball Mania hasn’t wear-tested these shoes. The picks come from the makers’ specifications, retailer listings and published reviews. We link to every product so you can check the details.
Quick picks
| Pick | Width | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ASICS Gel-Rocket 12 Wide | True wide (men’s) | Wide-footed men, beginners and budgets |
| New Balance TWO WXY v4 | 2E wide option | Hitters and middles who like a cushioned basketball shoe |
| adidas Ligra 8 | Slightly wider fit | Budget-minded defenders |
| Li-Ning Wade All City 12 | Roomier fit | Liberos and setters who like low basketball shoes |
| ASICS Sky Elite FF 3 | Standard; forgiving forefoot | Mildly wide feet, competitive players |
| Men’s or unisex versions for women | Wider than women’s at the same length | Women with wide feet |
Understanding shoe widths
| Width | Men’s | Women’s |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | D | B |
| Wide | 2E | D |
| Extra wide | 4E | 2E |
Most volleyball shoes only come in standard width. That’s why the two most useful tricks for wide feet are choosing models known for a roomier fit and, for women, switching to men’s or unisex sizing, since a men’s shoe is wider than a women’s shoe of the same length.
The best volleyball shoes for wide feet
1. ASICS Gel-Rocket 12 Wide: best true wide-width shoe
Best for: men with wide feet, beginners and school teams.
ASICS sells its entry-level volleyball shoe in a men’s wide width, which is rare among volleyball shoes. ASICS says the Gel-Rocket 12 balances stability and flexibility, with a TRUSSTIC midfoot piece for stability during quick transitions and a supportive upper for lateral moves. Wide sizes run from US men’s 6 to 15.
- Good to know: the standard-width Gel-Rocket runs narrow, so make sure you choose the wide version. Women can wear it in their converted men’s size (see the chart in our women’s guide).
2. New Balance TWO WXY v4: best for cushioning
Best for: hitters and middles who jump a lot and like the feel of a basketball shoe.
New Balance is one of the few brands that sells court shoes in a true 2E wide. The TWO WXY v4 is a basketball shoe with a Fresh Foam midsole and a FuelCell unit for soft, impact-absorbing cushioning. Reviewers praise its multidirectional traction and lateral containment.
- Good to know: the standard width has a snug forefoot, so order the 2E. It’s heavier than most volleyball shoes, and New Balance may have released a newer version, so check which one you’re buying.
3. adidas Ligra 8: best budget pick
Best for: defenders and casual players on a budget.
adidas’s value volleyball shoe has a non-marking rubber outsole, a mesh and synthetic upper, and an Adituff toe for players who drag their feet. Reviewers note a slightly wider fit than most volleyball shoes.
- Good to know: it has less cushioning than premium shoes, so hitters who jump a lot may want something softer.
4. Li-Ning Wade All City 12: the roomy basketball shoe
Best for: liberos and setters who like a low basketball shoe.
Li-Ning’s Way of Wade basketball line is popular with liberos and setters. The All City 12 is a low-top with an open collar, Li-Ning’s lightweight BOOM midsole and a PROBAR LOC midfoot stabilizer, and reviewers note it suits wider feet.
- Good to know: it’s a basketball shoe, so its outsole isn’t designed specifically for volleyball. Li-Ning uses men’s sizing.
5. ASICS Sky Elite FF 3: for mildly wide feet
Best for: competitive players whose feet are only a little wide.
The Sky Elite FF 3 only comes in standard width, but reviewers find its forefoot more forgiving than ASICS’s narrower Netburner line. It’s ASICS’s top jumping shoe, with FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning and RISETRUSS for take-off.
- Good to know: if your feet are mildly wide, reviewers suggest going up half a size. If they’re very wide, choose a true wide shoe instead.
6. For women: try men’s or unisex shoes
Women’s volleyball shoes are built on a narrower last, especially at the heel. A men’s or unisex shoe of the same length is wider, so many women with wide feet find it fits better. Convert by going down about 1.5 sizes (a women’s 9 is roughly a men’s 7.5). This also opens up the men’s ASICS Gel-Rocket 12 Wide. See the size chart in our guide to the best women’s volleyball shoes.
Brand-by-brand width notes
| Brand | What to expect |
|---|---|
| ASICS | Mostly standard width, but the Gel-Rocket 12 comes in a men’s wide. The standard Gel-Rocket and the Netburner line run narrow. |
| Nike | Tends to run snug. Nike says the HyperAce 3 runs small and suggests going up half a size. |
| adidas | The Ligra is slightly wider than most volleyball shoes. |
| Mizuno | Standard widths; fit varies by model, so try before you commit. |
| New Balance | Sells some basketball shoes, including the TWO WXY, in a 2E wide. |
How to make any volleyball shoe fit wide feet better
- Shop for the toe box, not just the size. A narrow, pointed front won’t feel better just because the shoe is longer.
- Go up half a size only if the length allows. Too much length makes your foot slide and can cause blisters and rolled ankles.
- Lace for width. Skip the eyelets over the widest part of your foot, then lace the top eyelets firmly to lock your heel.
- Swap the insole. A thinner insole frees up a little room, as long as the stock one is removable.
- Measure later in the day, when your feet are slightly larger, and with the socks you play in.
Frequently asked questions
Do any volleyball shoes come in wide widths?
A few. The ASICS Gel-Rocket 12 comes in a men’s wide, and some basketball shoes that players use for volleyball, such as the New Balance TWO WXY v4, come in 2E. Most volleyball shoes only come in standard width.
Should I size up if I have wide feet?
Half a size up can help if your toes have room to spare at the front, but don’t go longer than that. A shoe that’s too long lets your foot slide on lateral moves. A true wide width or a roomier model is better.
Can women with wide feet wear men’s volleyball shoes?
Yes. Men’s shoes are wider at the same length, and the technology is usually identical. Go down about 1.5 sizes from your women’s size and check the brand’s size chart.
Do Nike volleyball shoes run narrow?
Nike volleyball shoes tend to fit snugly, and Nike recommends going up half a size in the HyperAce 3. Players with wide feet usually have better luck with the shoes above.
Are basketball shoes OK for volleyball if I have wide feet?
Yes. Basketball shoes grip indoor courts and support lateral moves, and more of them come in wide widths, though they’re often heavier. See the best basketball shoes for volleyball.