According to the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, you need a sport-specific shoe if you are participating in a particular sport more than three times per week. Badminton and volleyball shoes share many similarities and have minor differences that make each unique to their sport.
Out-soles
Badminton shoes use a gum rubber sole. The soles of volleyball shoes are made of gum rubber or NC rubber, which allows you to grip the playing surface and make quick changes of direction. Gum rubber provides the best traction for smooth wood floor surfaces. NC rubber is similar to gum rubber in traction but is lighter weight. You will give up a little bit of traction for a lighter-weight shoe.
Mid-Soles
Mid-soles are located between the insole and outsole of a shoe. Herein lies the shoes' cushioning and stability systems. Mid-soles absorb shock and return a portion of that energy back to you. Volleyball shoes use gel, air cushions or specialty foams to achieve this. Badminton shoes use a power cushion system, Elastic Eva, or material such as Toughbrid to absorb the impact of quick movements and allow you to have energy for a longer time.
Uppers
Manufacturers have veered from leather uppers because the material is too heavy. Volleyball shoes are made primarily of nylon and have an inner lining aiding in air flow. You will find shoes made from a combination of mesh, nylon, or synthetic leather. Badminton shoes are made from synthetic PU leather or mesh panels to be lighter weight.
Weight
There is little difference in the weight of badminton and volleyball shoes. The lighter the better. Both sports require the ability to move and react quickly and a lightweight shoe aids you in this skill. Lighter-weight shoes are more expensive than their heavier counterparts.
Flexibility
Flexibility is accounted for in volleyball and badminton shoes by the addition of grooves found in the mid-sole and, often, the out-sole of the shoes. These grooves allow players the freedom to flex the foot as needed.
Height
Both volleyball and badminton shoes come in a low-cut version. There are no high-top versions. If you suffer from ankle weakness or injury, you can buy braces to reinforce ankle strength and add stability during play.
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