Checklist · 19 picks · 7 categories
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Volleyball players go through gear fast: balls get scuffed, knee pads wear out, and tournament weekends are hard on the body.
So the best gifts are things they will actually use every week, plus a few recovery picks for after the match. I pulled these from guides I read, including WearTesters, SportStars Magazine and SANDCAST's beach volleyball gift guide, and I only repeat what those outlets say about each item. Tip: find out if they play indoor or beach. Some balls are indoor only, and sand gear is useless on a hardwood court. Also ask about shoe size and fit before buying anything you wear.
Who this is not for. If they play soccer or another sport, try the soccer fans or sports fans lists instead.
| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molten FLISTATEC Volleyball | mid | $50-100 | indoor players and club teams | 1 outlet |
| Tachikara Sensi-Tec Volleyball | budget | $25-50 | long practices and training | 1 outlet |
| Wilson OPTX AVP Official Volleyball | mid | $50-100 | beach and outdoor players | 1 outlet |
| Mikasa V200W Official FIVB Volleyball | mid | $50-100 | players who want a pro-level ball | 1 outlet |
| Wilson AVP GRX Grass Game Volleyball | budget | $50-100 | backyard and park games | 1 outlet |
mid volleyball
Best for indoor players and club teams
WearTesters lists the Flistatec USAV version as the official USA Volleyball ball, and SportStars picks it for practice and competition.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$50-100
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budget volleyball
Best for long practices and training
SportStars Magazine picks it as a soft-touch ball for long training sessions.
Picked by SportStars Magazine winter 2024 volleyball gift guide.
$25-50
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mid volleyball
Best for beach and outdoor players
WearTesters lists it as the ball built for beach play, with bright colors that help players track it.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$50-100
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mid volleyball
Best for players who want a pro-level ball
WearTesters lists it as the official international game ball.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$50-100
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budget volleyball
Best for backyard and park games
WearTesters lists it as a ball designed for grass play.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$50-100
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASICS Gel-Low Profile Knee Pad | budget | $15-25 | diving defenders and liberos | 1 outlet |
| ASICS Gel-Rocket 11 | budget | $50-100 | players on a shoe budget | 1 outlet |
| Nike React Hyperset | mid | $50-100 | players who want a lightweight shoe | 1 outlet |
budget knee pads
Best for diving defenders and liberos
WearTesters lists it for its dual-density padding and low profile.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$15-25
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budget shoes
Best for players on a shoe budget
SportStars Magazine calls it a budget-friendly option with strong performance.
Picked by SportStars Magazine budget-friendly volleyball shoe.
$50-100
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mid shoes
Best for players who want a lightweight shoe
SportStars Magazine calls it a top choice among volleyball players.
Picked by SportStars Magazine top choice among volleyball players.
$50-100
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mid backpack
Best for tournament weekends
SportStars and WearTesters both include it for stashing gear, with a ventilated sneaker compartment and padded straps.
Picked by SportStars Magazine winter 2024 volleyball gift guide.
$50-100
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budget shorts
Best for practice and match days
WearTesters lists it among its volleyball shorts for women.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$25-50
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mid shorts
Best for guys who want a volleyball cut
WearTesters lists it for its shorter inseam made for volleyball movement.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perform Better Mini XL Bands | budget | $15-25 | warm-ups and activation work | 1 outlet |
| Podiumax SoloSpike | budget | $25-50 | solo practice at home | 1 outlet |
| JOLORLY Volleyball Setter Trainer Net | mid | $25-50 | serving practice at home | 1 outlet |
budget resistance bands
Best for warm-ups and activation work
SANDCAST's guide calls them the bands most players use for warm-ups.
Picked by SANDCAST ultimate Beach Volleyball Gift Guide.
$15-25
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budget spike trainer
Best for solo practice at home
SportStars Magazine lists it as an affordable training gift for working on serving, setting and spiking.
Picked by SportStars Magazine winter 2024 volleyball gift guide.
$25-50
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mid serving trainer
Best for serving practice at home
SportStars Magazine lists it for practicing serving accuracy without chasing balls.
Picked by SportStars Magazine winter 2024 volleyball gift guide.
$25-50
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| Pick | Tier | Price | Best for | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyperice Normatec 3 | splurge | $500+ | the player with everything | 1 outlet |
| Theragun Mini | mid | $200-300 | sore players after matches | 2 outlets agree |
| Hyperice Hypervolt Massage Gun | splurge | $200-300 | heavy tournament schedules | 1 outlet |
splurge compression boots
Best for the player with everything
WearTesters lists it as air compression for the legs and feet that aids circulation and reduces soreness; SANDCAST also calls Normatec compression pants very effective.
Picked by WearTesters volleyball gift pick.
$500+
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mid massage gun
Best for sore players after matches
SportStars Magazine recommends it for recovery after a game or practice.
2 outlets agree. SportStars Magazine winter 2024 volleyball gift guide. Reviewed for sore muscle recovery.
$200-300
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splurge massage gun
Best for heavy tournament schedules
SANDCAST's guide names the Hypervolt as its author's top recovery tool.
Picked by SANDCAST top recovery tool.
$200-300
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budget sand towel
Best for beach players and sand days
SANDCAST's guide lists it as a trinket recommended by readers and listeners.
Picked by SANDCAST ultimate Beach Volleyball Gift Guide.
$25-50
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mid sand socks
Best for hot sand and beach tournaments
SANDCAST's guide names it the author's top pick for sand socks.
Picked by SANDCAST top pick for sand socks.
$25-50
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means three independent outlets recommend a pick, means one, and limited evidence means none has yet. I research these picks. I have not tested them myself. How I pick · Spot a mistake? A broken link, a wrong price range or an outdated pick: tell me at hello@allsetlist.com and I'll fix it.
Recovery gear is a safe bet. SANDCAST's guide calls Normatec compression pants very effective and names the Hypervolt as its top recovery tool, and SportStars suggests the Theragun Mini for after practice.
Match the ball to where they play. WearTesters lists the Wilson OPTX AVP as a beach ball and notes the Molten Super Touch is indoor only. If you are unsure, ask or choose a different gift.
Mini resistance bands, a sand towel, an electric ball pump or a spike trainer all show up in the guides I read. They cost much less than shoes or recovery tech.
Yes. SportStars' guide is aimed at high school athletes and names shoes, ball trainers, a backpack and recovery gear. Check shoe sizes and ask the team about any required brands first.
USPS's recommended last send dates for December 25 in the contiguous US are December 17 for Ground Advantage, December 18 for Priority Mail and December 19 for Priority Mail Express. Retailers set their own order-by dates, so check at checkout.
