What to wear to practice
- Shorts or leggings you can squat and dive in. Many players wear compression shorts or tights under, or instead of, looser shorts so nothing rides up when they go to the floor.
- A light, breathable shirt. Synthetic training shirts dry faster than cotton.
- Cushioned crew socks that come above your shoe and, if you wear knee pads, don't bunch under them. Wear the socks you play in when you try on court shoes.
- A supportive sports bra for players who need one: volleyball involves a lot of jumping, so look for a high-support style and check the maker's size chart.
- Layers for warming up in a cold gym, taken off before the game starts.
- Match uniforms are set by your team and league; this page is about practice and kit-bag gear.
Shoes and knee pads have their own guides: Men's Shoes, Women's Shoes, Knee Pads.
Our picks
Socks, wristbands and headbands
Nike Performance Cushion crew socks (6 pairs)
Best for: everyday practice socks.
What stands out
- Cushioned, cotton-rich crew socks with a reinforced heel and toe and an arch band
- Six pairs, sized by Nike's shoe-size chart
Watch out for: customer reports on durability are mixed, and on Amazon they're sold by a third-party seller.
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Six pairs of the Performance Cushion model (not Everyday Plus); pick your size from Nike’s shoe-size chart.
Under Armour Performance wristbands (2-pack)
Best for: keeping sweat off your hands.
What stands out
- A pair of 7.5 cm absorbent sweatbands, one size
Watch out for: they absorb sweat; they aren't wrist supports or braces.
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A pair of one-size sweatbands; choose the color on the listing.
Under Armour Performance headband
Best for: keeping sweat and hair out of your eyes.
What stands out
- One-size stretch headband
Watch out for: it's fairly snug; some customers find it too tight for long sessions.
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One headband (not a multipack), one size.
Training clothes
Under Armour HeatGear Armour compression shorts
Best for: players who want shorts that stay in place when they dive.
What stands out
- Tight compression fit in polyester and elastane
- Side drop-in pocket and a wide waistband
Watch out for: they're meant to be tight, so use Under Armour's size chart; some customers report seam wear.
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Men’s shorts; the link opens one color and size, so choose yours on the listing.
Under Armour HeatGear Armour leggings
Best for: players who prefer full-length leggings.
What stands out
- High-waisted, ankle-length stretch leggings with flat seams
Watch out for: some customers find them small or short, so check the size chart and leg length.
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Women’s leggings; choose size and color on the listing.
Nike Swoosh sports bra
Best for: a light, medium-support bra for practice.
What stands out
- Non-padded racerback with wide straps
- Sizes XS to XXL
Watch out for: Nike rates it medium support, so players who need more support should choose a high-support style. It runs snug.
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Medium support; choose your size on the listing, where the seller can differ by size.
Under Armour Tech 2.0 T-shirt
Best for: a light, quick-drying practice shirt.
What stands out
- Lightweight polyester tee
- Sizes XS to 4XL, including tall sizes
Watch out for: the listing itself says it runs a little small, so consider sizing up.
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Men’s tee; the listing itself suggests sizing up.
adidas Essentials Warm-Up track jacket
Best for: warming up in a cold gym.
What stands out
- Recycled-polyester track jacket with front pockets
- Matching tapered track pants are sold separately
Watch out for: some customers say it runs large, and on Amazon it's sold by a third-party seller.
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The jacket only; the link opens one color and size, so choose yours.
adidas Essentials Warm-Up tapered track pants
Best for: the matching warm-up trousers.
What stands out
- Tapered track pants that match the jacket above
- Sold separately, not as a set
Watch out for: check the size chart and leg length before ordering.
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The trousers only; choose size and color on the listing.
Arm sleeves and insoles
Mizuno MZO padded sleeves
Best for: players who want elbow and forearm padding when they go to the floor.
What stands out
- A pair of 38 cm padded sleeves, from mid upper arm to mid forearm
- Two sizes: S–M and L–XL
Watch out for: some customers say they slip. They're padding, not a brace.
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A pair; choose S–M or L–XL (the title says one size, but two sizes exist).
Superfeet All-Purpose Support Medium Arch insoles
Best for: replacing worn or flat stock insoles.
What stands out
- Firm foam insole with a deep heel cup and a medium arch (formerly Superfeet Blue)
- Sized by shoe-size range and trimmed to fit
Watch out for: they only fit shoes with a removable insole, and arch shape is personal. They aren't a substitute for advice if you have foot pain.
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The Medium Arch model (formerly Blue); the link opens one size range, so choose yours.
Bag, towel and water
Nike Brasilia duffel (Medium)
Best for: carrying shoes, pads and clothes to practice.
What stands out
- About 64 × 30 × 30 cm, with a zipped bottom compartment for shoes
- Padded, adjustable shoulder strap
Watch out for: this is the older Brasilia Medium (BA5955), sold by a third-party seller on Amazon, and its ratings are shared with the Small size.
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The Brasilia Medium (BA5955); check size and color on the listing.
adidas shoe bag
Best for: keeping court shoes clean and separate.
What stands out
- One-size shoe bag with a carry handle
Watch out for: we couldn't confirm its size, so check that large court shoes fit.
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One size; check that your shoes fit.
Rainleaf microfiber towel
Best for: a compact, quick-drying towel for the bag.
What stands out
- Microfiber towel with a snap loop and a carry pouch
- Six sizes, from 61 × 30 cm
Watch out for: microfiber feels different from cotton, and the link opens a large size: pick a smaller one for a kit bag.
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Choose a size; the link opens the large 122 × 61 cm (48 × 24 in) towel.
CamelBak Chute Mag insulated bottle
Best for: cold water through a long practice.
What stands out
- Insulated stainless-steel bottle, 0.95 L
- Magnetic cap that stays out of the way when open; dishwasher-safe, according to the listing
Watch out for: customer comments on leaks are mixed, so carry it upright; steel bottles can dent.
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The 32 oz (0.95 L) size; other sizes and colors share the listing.
What you can skip
You don't need branded clothing to play well. A first season needs court shoes, knee pads, comfortable clothes, socks and water; add the rest when you know what bothers you, such as sweat in your eyes or slipping insoles. Compression clothing is a comfort choice, not a performance or injury-prevention tool.
How we choose and prices
We compare product specifications and, for products with an Amazon link, their Amazon rating and Amazon’s summary of customer reviews to help you choose equipment. We have not personally tested these products.
Last checked: October 2026. Most picks here are Budget; bags and insoles run Budget to Mid-range. Prices vary a lot by country, retailer, size and color.
How we choose: we don't test products ourselves. Every product with an Amazon link on this page passed our rating check: at least 4.3 out of 5 from at least 100 ratings on Amazon, and no serious recurring problem in Amazon's summary of customer reviews. We don't show the ratings themselves because they change. No brand pays to be listed.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to my first volleyball practice?
Comfortable athletic shorts or leggings, a light T-shirt, cushioned socks, indoor court shoes (or clean athletic shoes until you buy some) and knee pads if you have them. Bring a water bottle.
Do volleyball players need compression shorts?
No. Many players like them because they stay in place when diving and stop shorts riding up, but they are a comfort choice. Any shorts you can move freely in will do.
