Getting The Right Generalist Court Shoe?

VuLT on 21/11/2022 - 09:35
Last edited 21/11/2022 - 10:40 by 1 other user

Hi Ozbargain community,

I've been playing a bit of badminton, volleyball and netball recently and runners are definitely not the greatest for these sports.

I don't necessarily want to buy specialist shoes for each sport either so does anyone have any recommendations on some generalist shoes that might fit the mould for all three? Alternatively, should I go for a specialist shoe in one of the sports that might work well for the other two? I play them all in an indoor gym so I'm thinking some kind of court shoe would be best.

Appreciate any guidance!

Thanks

Sports & Outdoors Footwear Sports Shoes

Comments

jv on 21/11/2022 - 10:05

+3

Getting the right generalist court shoe?

My barrister always wears Oxfords by Berluti.
Best wait for Black Friday though…
- bobbified on 21/11/2022 - 10:28
  
  Your barrister is definitely a tightarse!
  - jv on 21/11/2022 - 10:37
    
    +1
    
    You'd better find yourself a good lawyer…
    - bobbified on 21/11/2022 - 10:41
      
      😂
900dollaridoos on 21/11/2022 - 10:07

+3

Unironically, try dunlop volleys.
They aren't for everyone as there is much less support than most people are used to these days, but I personally love them for around half the sports/outdoors things I get up to, including tennis. I have a proper set of tennis shoes I use for concrete/hard couarts, but elsewhere the volleys win out.

The other aspect that might make them worth it is they are cheap and can be worn casually. Since I live and work away from home during the weeks this makes them invaluable.
- mapax on 21/11/2022 - 10:12
  
  +2
  
  I know a guy that used to play squash with volleys, from memory he added some kind of insole for more support. He possibly removed the factory insole too but I might be confusing him with someone else.
  Not sure if volleys were actually good, but he was definitely an OzBargain candidate.
- andresampras on 21/11/2022 - 14:31
  
  It depends on the player's fitness and technique.
  
  Personally I wouldn't be recommending dunlop volleys for something like badminton, unless a REALLY beginner level player who won't be doing too much lunging or high-impact direction changes or jumps.
  
  There's a lot of stress going through a player's joints in badminton - better to avoid injury as much as possible by getting at least semi-decent shoes designed for the intended use.
  
  I've no experience with volleyball and netball, but I have heard netball as a sport is particularly stressful on the body.
Archi on 21/11/2022 - 10:08

+1

if you are playing all 3 sports indoors…

a dedicated indoor sole shoe will help,

generally soles with a herring bone design in the grip will help with most sports
Seraphin7 on 21/11/2022 - 10:12

+1

Running shoes are no good for sports with jumping and/or sideways movement. You'll wreck the shoes and not good for ankles either.

A tennis shoe will likely be the best all rounder for those sports.
- andresampras on 21/11/2022 - 14:35
  
  Tennis shoes simply do not offer enough grip on a badminton court. Plus they tend to be heavier and stiffer, which affects movement.
  
  Movement on a badminton court is much more about agility and constant direction changes, compared to tennis.
  
  OK for complete beginners, but for regular play I wouldn't do it.
  - Seraphin7 on 21/11/2022 - 14:43
    
    Of course a specialist shoe will always be superior, but given OP's desire for a "generalist" shoe across badminton, volleyball, and netball, what might you recommend?
    - andresampras on 21/11/2022 - 14:44
      
      see my post below.
      
      I'm not sure about netball but for the other 2 I'd say badminton shoes would be the go.
      
      My impression is that netball shoes are generally heavier/stiffer (which would be less than ideal for the other 2 sports), but I have zero netball experience.
      
      If you twist my arm I'd say badminton shoes for all 3.
JimB on 21/11/2022 - 10:17

+1

'Indoor court shoes' will work for all three sports.

Just like running shoes, the brand you choose is personal preference.

You can't go wrong with Asics.
stickingly on 21/11/2022 - 10:53

+1

What surface do you play netball on? Indoor shoes have very soft rubber soles for great grip on smooth indoor surfaces like timber but the soles will get trashed quickly if used on outdoor surfaces and end up smooth and slippery

As to brand try on and see what is most comfortable for you
- andresampras on 21/11/2022 - 14:37
  
  Just adding to your comments - before they (quickly) wear out, gum rubber soles will provide too much grip on outdoor surfaces. Higher chance of rolling an ankle.
altomic on 21/11/2022 - 12:38

Getting The Right Generalist Court Shoe

shoes are usually sold in pairs - both the right and the left
andresampras on 21/11/2022 - 14:20

+1

What do you play the most of, and on what surfaces?

Badminton shoes (gum rubber soles) would be good for indoor volleyball too, but as others have said - unless you're playing netball indoors, you'll need separate shoes (with hardwearing soles) for netball. I've been told tennis shoes are decent for netball, but don't take my word for it.
hiancc on 22/11/2022 - 15:25

+1

Basketball, netball have more jumping rather than running so you need basketball shoes (higher ankle) which has better ankle support. For badminton, squash and tennis, you need "court" shoes. If you look at the bottom, you will see distinct lifted tread around the ball and heel of the feet - hard to describe without sending photo. Running shoes tend to have even tread all over. When you go to the store, 95% are running shoes which most people use for everyday use, but they are useless for playing sports such as yours which involve running, stopping, jumping, twisting, turning etc.
BTW, dunlop volleys are a cheap alternative which I wouldn't bother with. Money saved would be more than outweighed by 1 session of physio if you have an injury.

Getting The Right Generalist Court Shoe?

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