The answer depends on the following:
- Do you intend not to wear them afterward for your game?
- Are they old and in need of replacement?
If the answer to these questions is ‘no’, you shouldn’t wear volleyball outside.
Volleyball shoes were once available in all leather or synthetic leather, but those days are long gone. The reason for this is that leather shoes are generally heavier.
As a result, leather is not a good choice for volleyball shoes. Instead, the uppers of most volleyball shoes today are a mix of synthetic leather and mesh. This formula is lower in weight, more breathable, and dries faster.
As a volleyball player, there comes a time when putting on your volleyball shoes outside or simply going outdoors just seems weird and wrong.
Is it possible to wear volleyball shoes outside? In general, it is not a good idea to do wear your Volleyball shoes outside.
The majority of volleyball shoes are made to offer you an advantage on indoor surfaces, and some of that benefit can be lost when you wear them outside or on concrete.
In addition, the grip is a key component of volleyball shoes, and it’s the first thing to disappear when they’re worn out.
If you wear them outside, you’ll be labeled a barbarian with no sense of style or sensitivity.
Maybe not quite that far. But it is still wrong.
The reasons are listed below.
5 important reasons why you should not wear volleyball shoes outside
Table of Contents
The gum rubber sole provides traction on an indoor volleyball court not outside
The gum rubber sole also provides the above-mentioned good traction to keep them in good condition.
This means that you should only wear your volleyball shoes inside to keep them in good condition.
Consider your kindergarten years, when you had both indoor and outdoor shoes. Volleyball shoes are unquestionably classified as indoor footwear.
When you start wearing your shoes outside, dirt and debris will collect in the soles, interfering with the squeaky traction you want on the volleyball court.
Some players may clean the bottom of their shoes with their tall socks or their hands after each play to aid or maintain traction.
In addition, volleyball shoes worn on abrasive surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt, can wear down the gum sole. So to be on the safer side, wear them inside only.
The sole might wear faster, which could affect your game
When heading outside, you will want to change shoes because wearing your volleyball shoes on abrasive surfaces like concrete or asphalt might wear out the sole faster or easier.
The sharp bumps can cause minor tears and cuts in the soft rubber, which means you will have less traction on the court and less control when making that rapid defensive move.
Another thing is dirt and rubber are not the best of friends, so bear that in mind cause it is bound to collect dirt and even unwanted attention from onlookers wondering why you are wearing them out.
Also, wearing wet shoes on the volleyball court is a big no-no in volleyball! In volleyball, it is critical to keep the playing surface as dry as possible because moist places on the court increase the danger of injury.
Volleyball players are always gazing up at the ball during a play, and their feet could slip out from under them if they walk in a moist place. So make sure your sneakers are completely dry before hitting the court to avoid such a horrible incident.
Wearing volleyball shoes outside can completely damage the gum rubber sole
Calling them “gum soles” is misleading because it implies that they are constructed of “natural gum” (a particular treatment of rubber).
The majority of these gum soles are produced of polybutadiene, a byproduct of the oil manufacturing industry.
Although gum rubber sole gives your volleyball traction and more grip, it is readily damaged on hard surfaces. Gum rubber is not used in other sporting shoes, such as running shoes, because they are meant for outdoor use or a wider range of surfaces.
Rubber is utilized in sport and athletics trainers because it is lightweight; because of this synergy with sports, rubber has a more casual feel when worn in a formal shoe. Some single-molded rubber soles can not be replaced once they have outlived their usefulness.
Wearing them too often will get them dirty
It is a bad idea to wear your volleyball shoes outside because they will get soiled. Unlike indoor courts, where there is less dust, there is a lot of dust in the air outside.
Volleyball shoes, in particular, are prone to collecting dust and appearing dirty on the exterior. Cleaning them will take time because they should not be machine washed and also it can be very tiring. It is best just to avoid it totally unless you are up for the cleaning game.
Wearing volleyball shoes outside can also hinder your performance
The gripping sections of volleyball shoes are not suitable for outdoor use. Volleyball shoes have some elements that aren’t suitable for use outside.
These elements found in volleyball shoes are:
- Flex grooves: This helps your shoes stay flexible and there is a possibility of your flex grooves getting damaged if you rub your shoe soles on a rough surface.
- Tread: The traction pattern on your outsoles is known as the tread. Wearing your volleyball shoes outside may cause the traction pattern to disintegrate, making your shoes slick.
- Heel counter: This gives your heels structural support. It’s normally made of plastic, but if you wear your volleyball shoes outside all the time, it can wear off.
- Heel cushioning: If you wear your volleyball shoes all the time, the heel cushioning may wear out.
- Toe support: It protects your toe with a toe cap or support. If you continue to use your volleyball shoes outside, the toe cap may soften.
- Upper material: If you wear your volleyball shoes outside all the time, dust might build and damage the upper material, and finally,
- Gum rubber sole: gives your volleyball traction but is quickly damaged on rocky terrain.
These features of your volleyball shoes are extremely beneficial to your on-court performance. If you’re serious about volleyball, taking care of your volleyball shoes should be a priority, and keep them from outside.
What else should you not do with volleyball shoes?
Volleyball shoes aren’t inexpensive, with some costing close to or even more than $100. It is also critical to take the best possible care of them in order to ensure that they endure a long time, whether you play daily or perhaps once a week.
The best you could do is to avoid causing harm to your volleyball shoes.
Do not use too much force when washing your volleyball shoes
Make sure not to use excessive force when washing your volleyball shoes. Most volleyball shoes are made of soft materials and could easily tear or be worn out if you scrub too much.
Instead, you can get a clean cloth and wipe out the dirt first before you go ahead to wash. Another thing you should look out for when washing is to ensure there isn’t excess washing water left in the shoes after washing or when setting to dry.
Do not waste your volleyball shoes in a washer
Most volleyball manufacturing companies warn against washing with a washer. This is because washing your volleyball shoe regularly with a washer will reduce the lifespan drastically.
But you can choose to go ahead with washing with a washer if your volleyball shoes are old and in need of replacement, or you’re out of options, or maybe you’re okay with damaging them and careless about increasing sustainability and its longevity.
Overall, the dangers of washing your volleyball shoes exceed the benefits of doing so. On the other hand, some volleyball shoes do not have this difficulty when washed. Check the volleyball shoes to see if they can be machine washed before doing so.
Do not leave your volleyball shoes out in the sun for too long
The sun will help your shoes dry, but if you leave them out too long, it will begin to destroy the fabric used to make them. Also, while having a spare pair of shoes in your trunk is helpful, extreme temperatures might ruin them there as well.
Long lengths of time should not be spent in your car with your child, dog, or even your volleyball shoes. The same goes for abandoning your volleyball shoes out in the rain or snow, for obvious reasons, unless you do not mind getting a new pair.
Avoid applying gel or lotion on your sole: as much as the grip is improved upon when you apply it on your volleyball shoe, it only lasts for a few minutes and probably ends up removing dust off the floor and thus may cause sliding.
Another reason this is strongly advised against is that it attracts dirt to itself, which builds up gradually and causes your sole to be slippery.
How to care for your volleyball shoes
Except you have enough money to buy new pairs of volleyball shoes, taking care of the ones you own should be important to you.
If you want to find out how to make those sports shoes last longer, keep reading to know what to do.
Washing them properly
Cleaning your volleyball shoes also removes dirt from the traction on the outsoles. In some ways, it also impacts the performance of your volleyball shoes. Here’s how to properly clean your volleyball shoes.
- It would be best if you first dried your volleyball shoes. Dry your shoes outside in the sun to get rid of any dampness. To improve airflow and drying inside the volleyball shoes, remove the shoestring and spread the tongue.
- Get two old socks or cloths soaked with baking soda, put these in your volleyball shoes. Allow the baking soda-soaked towel to sit overnight. Baking soda absorbs scents; thus, this removes the stench from your volleyball shoes.
- Alternatively, you may simply sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes and leave it overnight. After that, you must shake off the baking soda to eliminate it. However, this can be time-consuming, so step 2 is frequently chosen.
- Volleyball shoes with new insoles provide a steady base. But unfortunately, insoles are the first to become worn and unclean. Some people even use extra insoles in their volleyball shoes to clean them.
Replace worn-out insoles
If feasible, remove the insoles from the volleyball shoes and replace them. If you can’t replace the insoles, buy insoles meant to eliminate bacteria.
Examine the volleyball shoe’s care label
Check to see if the shoes can be machine washed. Place the shoes into an old pillowcase and throw them in the washer. Allow the shoes to air dry in a bright spot outside.
Always untie or even loosen the laces before removing the shoes
This will help to increase the support of your shoe. Also, do this completely 8f you want to air the shoes.
Airing the shoes should be done regularly, especially after wearing them, to avoid them smelling damp or offensive.
When cleaning your shoes, do not entirely submerge them in water
If this ever happens, make sure you get the excess water completely out. Avoid repeating this often if it happens at all.