Here Are the Best Insoles for Your Volleyball Shoes
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Athletes running in activewear.
  • Writer's pictureCompression Athlete

Here Are the Best Insoles for Your Volleyball Shoes

Dynamic performance, support, and cushioning on the court.

Volleyball player and performance insoles.

It’s hard to find a more action-packed sport than volleyball.

 

One moment you’ll see a player soaring high above the net and in the next another sprawling across the court for a save.

 

Regardless of which position you play—outside hitter, setter, libero—your feet are going to be put through a lot over the course of a season.

 

That’s why some of the most important gear in your gym bag is what you’ll be wearing on your feet.

 

A stellar pair of volleyball shoes is a great place to start and will make a huge difference to your game, but it’s not uncommon for volleyball players to further optimize their footwear.

 

Whether you’re experiencing some form of pain while you’re moving on the court (arch, ankle, knee, etc.) or simply looking for a performance boost, adding insoles to your volleyball shoes might be just what you need.

 

A high-quality pair of volleyball insoles will improve energy transfer in your feet for quicker reactions and higher verticals.

 

And they’ll also increase support and reduce strain on your feet, which in turn reduces your risk for injury and limits wear and tear on your joints.

 

Here, we’ve put together a list of the best insoles for your volleyball shoes with our top picks to improve performance, support, and endurance.

 

Go ahead, grab a pair of these insoles, and take your game to the next level.

 

 

Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.

 

 

Yes, insoles really can boost your volleyball performance.

 

Think of all the action and skills performed over the course of a volleyball game, from soaring spikes to diving digs and all the passing, setting, and blocking in between.  

 

There’s a reason why volleyball shoes have a unique construction compared to other athletic shoe options that offer volleyball players a specific set of benefits tailored to their needs.

 

But you don’t have to stop there.

 

Adding high-quality performance insoles to your volleyball shoes can build on those benefits and take your game to the next level.

 

Volleyball insoles are designed to boost a player’s lateral and vertical movements with springy energy-returning bases while also providing impact-absorbing cushion and stability to the feet and ankles for injury prevention. 


Insole benefits for volleyball players.

While some are apprehensive to switch out the insoles that come with their volleyball shoes, it’s important to keep in mind that factory insoles offer a very generic fit and, in some cases, can be relatively cheap.

 

If you pop out the factory insole of your volleyball shoe and place it next to a high-quality option, you’ll be able to actually see the difference between the two.

 

One flat and flimsy while the other will look much more like the bottom of your foot with a cushioned heel cup and dynamic arch support (among other beneficial features). 

 

Whether you’re looking to improve your performance or address a specific condition, pain point, or area of discomfort, insoles are a great way to further customize your footwear to meet your needs.

 

 

Wait, can insoles actually help you jump higher?

 

It’s no surprise this is one of the most popular questions we hear from volleyball players.

 

When so many crucial moments occur at the net from players high above the ground, there’s going to be a lot of interest in any performance gear that can help you fly your highest.

 

So, do performance insoles actually help players jump higher and move quicker on the court?

 

Well, the answer is both yes and no.


Volleyball player jumping high for spike.

Of course, adding insoles to your volleyball shoes won’t magically give you abilities that you didn’t already have before.

 

However, adding a high-quality pair of performance insoles to your volleyball shoes can bring out the best of your physical ability, helping you to jump your highest, move your quickest, and so on.

 

Features like energy-returning foam, impact absorbing cushioning, and a stabilizing deep heel cup will keep you lighter on your feet and boost your endurance over the course of a game or practice.

 

So, in other words, if you add performance insoles to your volleyball shoes, you’ll likely jump higher than you would by sticking with the factory insoles.

 

 

The majority of insole benefits stem from 3 key design features.

 

It’s important to remember that even though impact starts at your feet as they meet the court, that force can ripple throughout your body (to your ankles, knees, hips, and all the way up your spine and back).

 

Just ask any volleyball player after a grueling workout or high-intensity game how crucial it is to have the proper footwear.

 

When you add high-quality insoles to your volleyball shoes, you’re improving the barrier between your feet and the court (i.e. point of impact).

 

The specialized design of the insole improves biomechanics and posture in the body through three key design features.

 

1. Enhanced Arch Support: Supporting the arches of your feet reduces the amount of strain placed on your feet’s ligaments and bones, which in turn lessens fatigue and pain for improved endurance.

 

2. Improved Shock Absorption: Stress reverberates through your muscles and joints with every step, but a good insole with a deep heel cup and supportive cushioning will absorb and blunt it.  

 

3. Even Pressure Distribution: By distributing weight and pressure evenly across your entire foot, insoles help to decrease strain, fatigue, and injury risk.

 

And a few other notable features that insoles can offer your volleyball shoes are responsive cushioning for explosive energy return and a deep heel cup for better stability.

 

Certain insole designs may also provide improved breathability and a grippy foot surface, which proves useful on the court. 

 

 

Top Picks for the Best Volleyball Insoles

 

Now, we covered the many benefits that you can gain by adding insoles to your volleyball shoes, but it’s important that we also mention there is a caveat.

 

Not just any old pair of insoles will provide all these benefits on the court.

 

Inferior insoles will tout lots of foam and cushioning, and these might even feel nice at first, but they won’t deliver the support and performance necessary to achieve other benefits like improving endurance or reducing plantar fascia strain.

 

So instead, go with one of the high-quality picks we have listed here, specifically designed to improve performance on the volleyball court.



1. Move Game Day Pro Performance Insoles


The Move Game Day Pro Performance Insoles feature an incredibly dynamic performance design that pairs a firm and bouncy foundation for take-offs with comfortable cushioning for soft landings. These insoles provide superior stability while allowing natural foot movement.


Volleyball player using Move Game Day Pro Performance Insoles.

 

Move’s Game Day Pro Performance Insoles utilize a signature Pro Base with a carbon-like composite for strong and adaptive movements. These insoles sport a stabilizing forefoot grip and Active Heel Technology to reduce pressure where it’s needed most.

 

 

2. Move Game Day Performance Insoles


The Move Game Day Performance Insoles feature an ultra-responsive base that combines comfortable DS37 Energyfoam with impact absorbing Shockfree Foam. These insoles have stabilizing Active Heel Technology and forefoot grip to enhance playing surface feel.


Volleyball player using Move Game Day Performance Insoles.

Available on Amazon: Move Game Day Performance Insoles

 

Move’s Game Day Performance Insoles utilize X-Frame Torsional Support that protects and stabilizes while allowing maximum movement. These insoles sport odor control and a low friction top cloth to alleviate hot spots and foot slippage.

 

 

3. VKTRY Gold Performance Insoles


The VKTRY Gold Performance Insoles feature a full-length carbon fiber base plate for explosive energy return that results in quicker sprints and higher vertical jumps. These insoles sport a soft EVA foam in the top portion to support and cushion your foot. 


Volleyball player using VKTRY Gold Performance Insoles.

Available on Amazon: VKTRY Gold Performance Insoles

 

VKTRY’s Gold Performance Insoles utilize spring-like shock absorption and superior support and stability to reduce your injury risk for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and ankle sprains.

 

 

4. SOLE Active Medium Footbeds


The SOLE Active Medium Footbeds feature an incredibly durable EVA footbed that provides a moderate performance cushioning and equal weight and pressure distribution. These insoles offer dynamic arch support and are clinically proven to reduce plantar fascia strain.


Volleyball player using SOLE Active Medium Footbeds.

Note: Use this link for a $20 credit.

 

SOLE’s Active Medium Footbeds utilize a deep heel cup to absorb impact when running, jumping, cutting, and stopping. These insoles work for any arch height, are moldable for a custom fit, and are covered by a 90-day guarantee.

 

 

5. SOLE Performance Medium Footbeds


The SOLE Performance Medium Footbeds feature a medium performance Softec cushioning from a naturally shock absorbing cork base that molds quickly to your feet. These insoles offer dynamic arch support and are clinically proven to reduce plantar fascia strain.


Volleyball player using SOLE Performance Medium Footbeds.

Note: Use this link for a $20 credit.

 

SOLE’s Performance Medium Footbeds utilize a deep heel cup to absorb impact when running, jumping, cutting, and stopping. These insoles work for any arch height, are moldable for a custom fit, and are covered by a 90-day guarantee.

 

 

6. CURREX ACEPRO Insoles


The CURREX ACEPRO Insoles pair dynamic arch support with a deep decoupled heel cup to improve stability and evenly distribute pressure. These insoles feature comfortable dual layer cushioning and shock absorbing heel cushioning.


Volleyball player using CURREX ACEPRO Insoles.

Shop at CURREX: CURREX ACEPRO Insoles

Available on Amazon: CURREX ACEPRO Insoles

 

CURREX’s ACEPRO Insoles sport targeted forefoot cushioning for improved agility and air vent holes for enhanced breathability. These insoles are specifically designed to handle the quick movements and heavy loads of force that occur during court sports like basketball.

 

 

7. PowerStep PULSE Performance Insoles


The PowerStep PULSE Performance Insoles feature soft and springy ShockAbsorb Premium Foam cushioning from heel to toe that absorbs shock, enhances comfort, and provides bounce back energy return with each step.


Volleyball player using PowerStep PULSE Performance Insoles.

 

PowerStep’s PULSE Performance Insoles utilize a firm but flexible neutral arch support and a stabilizing deep heel cradle. These insoles sport an odor control top fabric that helps to reduce heat, friction, and perspiration.

 

 

Here’s What to Consider When Choosing Insoles for Your Volleyball Shoes

 

As you may have already noticed, there’s no shortage of insole options out there, each of them promising some superior feature (comfort, support, etc.). 

 

So, how do you narrow down your selection and actually choose a pair of insoles for your volleyball shoes?

 

Our best advice is to opt for a high-quality insole brand and be as specific as possible in your footwear style, primary activity, and health needs.

 

Here’s what we mean by that.

 

First, you’ll want to consider what style of footwear you’ll be putting the insole in.

 

In this case, you’re choosing insoles for volleyball shoes, which is important because these insoles tend to have moderate performance cushioning that will fit well in volleyball shoes designed to handle jumping, landing, and quick court movements.

 

While most insoles are moldable to your footwear and can be trimmed to fit a certain size, other design features will lend themselves better to a specific footwear style.


Volleyball player wearing sport-specific footwear.

Next, think about the primary activity for which you’ll be wearing the insoles because there are insoles designed for nearly all of them with varying specifications and features to help you perform your best. 

 

The more specific you can get, the better your footwear experience and athletic performance.

 

For example, a more general all-day wear insole will prioritize different aspects than an insole designed to boost your performance on a volleyball court.

 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, prioritize any foot conditions you have.

 

Plantar fasciitis is a common one that can be very painful and debilitating.

 

Heel pain, ankle pain, knee pain, and shin splints are also common and can be aided through wearing performance insoles.

 

Look for insoles that specifically address these conditions, as they can make a noticeable difference when it comes to reducing stress, strain, discomfort, and pain.

 

And remember that insoles, just like all footwear options, eventually wear out over time.

 

Replacing them on a regular basis will ensure you’re receiving peak performance from your insoles and keep you pain-free on the volleyball court.

 

 

If you’re looking to get the most out of your volleyball insoles, be sure to put them in a pair of high-quality volleyball shoes.


And for the rest of your volleyball gear and apparel needs, check out our Complete Volleyball Checklist.

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