You’ve probably been living under a rock for quite some time if you don’t know what Haikyuu is. Karasuno high school volleyball team grows and develops as players in the insanely popular Japanese anime series.
Recent binge watching may or may not have included me. We will examine the volleyball shoes worn by each Karasuno player today.
Whenever possible, I will link the shoes worn in the show to the most realistic version of the shoe – shoes that you could actually obtain.
Here’s hoping this helps a few cosplayers out there! Furthermore, we’ll examine each player’s position and see if the shoe they wear is a good fit for that position.
Let’s get started!
Best Haikyuu Volleyball Shoes
Asics Gel-Rocket 10
There is no shoe equivalent to Hinata’s favorite undersized middle blocker, the Asics Gel-Rocket 10, in other than white and red.
The Asics Gel-Rocket 10 in white and red is the closest match to the shoes he wears. Originally designed for volleyball, this shoe can also be used for badminton, handball, and squash.
I ranked it number one for outdoor volleyball shoes in 2024 due to its extremely durable reputation. We’ve already seen Hinata play on concrete surfaces in the show, so this makes the game suitable for playing on them.
Hinata is a middle blocker who jumps a lot… This shoe isn’t designed to handle that kind of jumping… The cushioning setup is quite rudimentary, putting a lot of stress on Hinata’s joints.
Gel-Rockets lack exceptional impact protection, which is essential for athletes like Hinata who jump a lot each week.
If Hinata didn’t want to spend quite as much money, he might consider upgrading to an Asics Sky Elite FF or an Adidas Dame 7 instead!
To learn more about what middle blockers should look for in a volleyball shoe, he can also check out my full article on the best volleyball shoes for hitters!
Asics Women’s Gel-Rocket 8
Also wearing Gel-Rockets is Karasuno’s captain and opposite hitter, Daichi Sawamura, wearing the white and black version of the slightly older Gel-Rocket 8.
Asics Gel-Rocket 8s in white and black are the closest representation of the shoes he wears. The Gel-Rockets of this colorway are an old model, and they don’t make them anymore.
An equivalent shoe for women is the Gel-Rocket 10.
Daichi is wearing Gel-Rocket 8s. What do you think?
I don’t like it much.
Those colorways must be really appealing to him!
There are only three things an opposing hitter must do: jump, hit, and block.
Their shoes need to be springy and shock-absorbing, just like middle blockers’.
It’s my recommendation that Daichi consider getting a pair of Lebron 18s if he has the cash, since they feel incredible to jump in.
Asics Sky Elite FFs or Mizuno Wave Momentums are other alternatives.
The best volleyball shoes of 2024 would be a great upgrade for him, regardless of what he decides!
Asics Gel-Rocket 10
My best guess after squinting at images and film for 20 minutes is that Karasuno’s star setter, Tobio Kageyama, is wearing black and gold Asics Gel-rocket 10s!
In most cases, a great setter is behind every good hitter.
In addition to his butter fingers, Kageyama is the starting setter for Karasuno.
Further, Karasuno’s opponents have been unable to overcome the sacred setter/middle partnership between Tobio and Hinata.
Tobio Kageyama seems to be another Asics fan. Asics shoes are worn by every player on Karasuno, which isn’t surprising given that Asics sponsors the Japanese national team…
This is Tobio’s last pair of Gel-Rockets so at least the colorway is decent. The black and gold style is my best guess, but it’s pretty hard to tell.
Volleyball setters chase after volleyballs and make quick lateral movements rather than jumping much.
Consequently, they need lightweight shoes with excellent traction that are low to the ground. The limited amount of jumping they do allows them to forego advanced cushioning.
Tobio has so far the best footwear of all the team members, in my opinion! He wears the Gel-Rocket 10s, a pretty solid choice for a setter!
Gel-Rockets are very supportive and low to the ground. They have excellent traction and responsiveness.
When Kageyama is ready to upgrade his shoes, he should read my roundup article on the best volleyball shoes for setters.
ASICS Mens Gel-Rocket 8 Athletic Shoe
The Gel-Rocket 8s are also worn by Karasuno’s “ace” and outside hitter, Asahi. These shoes would be a good choice for players of this type, but how good are they?
One of Karasuno’s last third-year players, Asahi is known for his powerful jump serves.
From serve receive to spiking to blocking to digging, he plays all kinds of roles for the team as its starting outside hitter.
Asahi appears to be wearing white and black Gel-Rocket 8s, along with teammates Daichi, Chikara, Hisashi, Kazuhito, Kai, and Tadashi.
The versatile nature of this shoe makes it a pretty decent choice for Asahi, since he plays a variety of positions.
It is your job as an outside hitter to pass, hit, block, and dig on the volleyball court.
While passing and digging, shoes with excellent traction and responsiveness are crucial.
To protect yourself from the impact of jumping, you also need a lot of cushioning.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Gel-Rocket 8 as an outside hitter. Personal preference plays a major role in this decision.
There are very few shoes that are perfect in every way.
The shoe will probably be too high off the ground for passing/digging if you want great cushioning…
The cushioning won’t be enough for jumping if you need great responsiveness and traction for defense.
For an outside hitter like Asahi, the Gel-Rocket 8 is a reasonable shoe across the board.
Asics’ Sky Elite FF or Li-Ning’s All City 10 offer improved cushioning while remaining extremely responsive. I’d love to see him upgrade to these.
Asics Upcourt 4
In terms of volleyball shoes, the closest thing you can get is the Asics Upcourt 4 women’s shoes. A lot of confidence is required to rock the women’s shoes well as Kōshi does!
This budget court shoe is primarily designed for beginners or casual wearers.
Third year vice captains wearing shoes like these seems pretty unlikely, but who knows?
Kōshi is Karasuno’s second setter, so he needs highly responsive shoes, just like Tobio.
It would have been nice if someone had tipped him off that Gel-Rocket 10s are a decent setter’s shoe judging by the number of players wearing them!
His role as a serving specialist should not really affect what shoe he wears, since he often serves the team out of troublesome spots.
If you already own a pair of Mizuno Momentum 2s for setters, I recommend upgrading.
Asics Netburner Ballistic FF
I think I got it right this time. My best guess is that Tanaka wears a black on black pair of Asics Netburner Ballistic FlightFoam.
Tanka chose a great pair of shoes.
As one of the best shoes for jumpers with excellent impact protection, the Netburner Ballistic FF boasts incredible FlightFoam cushioning.
Its wide outrigger offers lateral stability and support, making it ideal for outside hitters who need good passing ability.
Black on black colorways seem to be a favorite of Tanaka’s, and I think they look really good on court.
ASICS Women’s Gel-Rocket 10 Volleyball Shoes
Nishinoya, Karasuno’s libero, has one of the best volleyball shoes on the team. For liberos, the Asics Gel-Rocket 10 is the perfect shoe.
Interesting enough, Nishinoya, Karasuno’s libero, wears similar shoes to Hinata, the middle blocker…
Honestly, it makes sense that Nishinoya wears these shoes – who knows what Hinata thought…
With its lightweight, low-to-the-ground design, and highly responsive characteristics, the Asics Gel Rocket-10 is one of the best volleyball shoes a libero can wear.
It’s fine that they don’t have excellent cushioning, since Nishinoya isn’t doing a lot of jumping.
Liberos often perform lateral movements, so they are perfect for traction and support.
Passing and digging are essential defensive skills for liberos. They need to be as low to the court as possible, which means they need a pretty thin midsole.
The shoes they wear are very different for spikers, with thicker midsoles and more cushioning, which make them feel considerably higher off the ground.
Hats off to Yū Nishinoya for picking a great shoe for his role.
What Volleyball Shoes Do They Wear In Haikyuu?
Karasuno’s volleyball team appears to wear Asics volleyball shoes on all occasions. The crisscross design patterns on the side of the Asics shoes are a dead giveaway that the team wears Asics shoes.
This isn’t surprising since Asics sponsors the Japanese national team. It makes sense, then, that animators would base their shoes on the iconic design of Asics volleyball shoes.
You’ll notice that the designs aren’t quite like Asics volleyball shoes, but they’re pretty close!
You may enjoy reading Best Asics Volleyball Shoes
Tips for Properly Fitting Volleyball Shoes
It is essential to select volleyball shoes that fit properly. For help finding the right fit, follow these tips:
- In the afternoon when your feet are slightly swollen, measure your feet accurately and try on shoes.
- Keep your longest toe at least a thumbnail’s width away from the shoe’s end to prevent jamming.
- To assess comfort and stability, walk, jump, and make lateral movements in the shoes.
How to Care for Your Haikyuu Volleyball Shoes
Maintaining your Haikyuu volleyball shoes properly can extend their lifespan. Tips for caring for your car:
- To remove dirt and debris from shoes, wipe them with a damp cloth regularly.
- To prevent material damage, air dry shoes away from direct heat sources.
- Maintain the shape and integrity of your shoes by storing them in a cool, dry place when not in use.
You may enjoy reading Best Colorful Volleyball Shoes
Conclusion
To enhance your performance and reduce the risk of injuries on the court, you should invest in high-quality volleyball shoes. It’s no wonder Haikyuu volleyball shoes are a top choice for serious players thanks to their superior features and construction.
It is possible to elevate your game and dominate the court with confidence if you prioritize comfort, support, and durability.
You may enjoy reading Best Men’s Volleyball Shoes
