Best 3 Shoes for Setters

For a more in-depth analysis of the shoe check out the Nike Precision 6 Review.

Pros

• Amazing cushioning providing great overall comfort

• Quality grip and responsiveness

• Extremely lightweight and mobile

Cons

• Quite expensive and can be hard to find outside of Europe

Pros

• Amazing grip & responsiveness

• Good cushioning & comfort

• Very complete & performance based shoe

• Great value for money

Cons

• Durability of cushioning, eyelet & upper mesh material as represented by the price

Pros

• Outstanding grip and responsiveness

• Good overall comfort

• Extremely durable shoe

• Readily available worldwide

Cons

• Quite expensive

• Cushioning becomes fatigued over time

What do setters need?

The setter is the most important position on the court. They decide who gets the ball & when. They analyse the opposition's weaknesses and deliver a game plan that will ultimately determine if the team will succeed. As the setter must move all around the court to run the offence, there simply isn't time to be late to the ball or struggle with your movement around the court. This is why it is crucial that setters have a shoe that fits the demands of their unique position.

Volleyball setters greatly rely on their ability to move swiftly in all directions around the court. This is why I believe having good grip, responsive cushioning and a mobile profile is of utmost importance. These key aspects ensure that you have a firm and stable base to drive from, allowing you to make precise movements and cover lots of ground quickly to deliver an accurate set.

After playing years of professional volleyball I have experienced first hand what it is like to play in shoes that are and aren't suited for the unique demands of this position. I have ranked my top 3 volleyball shoes for setters so that you can find a shoe that will help propel your performance to the next level.

Best shoe for setters - Adidas Crazyflight

The Adidas Crazyflight are my number 1 pick for a setter. This is a very well designed and manufactured shoe that encompasses some of the iconic Adidas features like the boost cushion, while tailoring the shoe perfectly to the needs of a setter on the indoor court surface. The feel of this shoe is very similar to a running shoe as it's very mobile and lightweight which makes it great for performance while still being extremely comfortable. The incredible cross patterned grip attached to the boost cushion combines for amazing responsiveness which is crucial for the sudden movements setters need to make.

For a more in-depth analysis of the shoe check out the Adidas Crazyflight Review.

Second best shoe for setters - Nike Precision 6

The Nike Precision 6 is my second pick for the best volleyball shoe for a setter. This shoe comes at a great price for a top quality product. The strongest point for this shoe is the grip. Its aggressive pattern provides instant traction on both wooden and taraflex flooring, giving a setter the perfect base to drive from immediately and be precise with their footwork. The profile of the shoe fits the foot really nicely as there are no sections with greater friction or too much space. This tight fit ensures there is no sliding within the shoe making it extremely responsive. The breathable mesh material provides a lightweight and mobile feel almost like a running shoe. These key features combined make for a quality high performance shoe suited perfectly to the needs of a setter.

For a more in-depth analysis of the shoe check out the Nike React Hyperset Review.

Third best shoe for setters - Nike React Hyperset

The Nike React Hyperset are my third best shoe for a setter. This shoe was very close to being 2nd as it holds very similar characteristics to the Nike Precision 6. The 2 strong points of this shoe is the grip and the responsiveness. The grip pattern is very aggressive ensuring that there will be no sliding on the court and it will remain effective for a long time. This combined with the quality shoe profile and decent cushioning makes for a very responsive feel perfect for setters. I found that moving laterally felt effortless and that my court speed was great in these shoes. The longer tongue and thicker shoe material meant that it was very durable build, however I did find that they felt any heavier and bigger than the Precision 6. This was the main difference that bought these in at 3rd place. For a smaller setter like myself I need a lightweight tight shoe but for a taller setter I think the chunkier profile will better suit them. The quality grip and responsiveness in this shoe make it a great choice for a setter looking for a shoe to assist their specific position.

Rating: 9.4/10

Rating: 8.5/10

Rating: 8.5/10

Questions?