Volley (shoe)

Volley

Company type	Private
Industry	Footwear, Sportswear
Predecessor	Dunlop Sport (Australia)
Founded	1939
Founder	Adrian Quist (designer)
Fate	Acquired by Anchorage Capital Partners in November 2014
Headquarters	Australia
Area served	Australia
Products	Sports footwear
Owner	Brand Collective
Parent	Brand Collective

Volley, previously known as Dunlop Volley, is an Australian sports footwear label produced by Brand Collective. Initially created by Dunlop Sport (Australia), a division of Pacific Brands, the Volley brand was separated and acquired by private equity firm Anchorage Capital Partners in November 2014.

The shoe is constructed with a cotton canvas upper combined with a thermoplastic rubber sole. Launched by Dunlop Australia in 1939, its design has undergone minimal modifications, transitioning from a simple white version with a vulcanised sole to the distinctive green and gold stripe introduced during the 1970s. Present-day models include the classic white featuring a triple-stripe woven tape on the heel, the traditional green and gold stripe variant, and an entirely black edition.

History

Created in 1939 as a tennis shoe, the Volley was designed by Australian tennis athlete Adrian Quist, who adapted a herringbone-patterned sole from boat shoes to enhance traction. The initial model, named Volley OC (Orthopaedically Correct), was worn by prominent players such as Rod Laver and Margaret Court.

In the 1970s, Dunlop launched the Volley International, which featured an updated upper and a direct-injection sole. Between 1978 and 1985, it led the Australian tennis shoe market and gained popularity among tradespeople like roofers, wood choppers, painters, as well as hikers due to its exceptional grip. Mark Edmondson’s victory at the 1976 Australian Open while sporting Volleys further elevated the brand’s recognition.

In the early 1980s, Dunlop briefly introduced a "basketball boot" variant of the Volley International offering ankle support and a high-traction tread. This lightweight protective model was favored by rafters and bushwalkers but was discontinued by 1983.

Dunlop Volleys were standard issue for personnel in the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force until the late 1980s and continue to be supplied to members of the Royal Australian Navy, occasionally replaced by Spalding replicas.

Manufacturing shifted offshore in 1998. By 2009, the brand experienced dilution due to numerous casual designs and quality concerns. In 2011, Volley was relaunched as an independent brand, reinstating classic styles such as the "Volley International," OC, and SS models. By 2012, additional versions like the "High Leap" were introduced.

Between 2014 and 2017, Volley unveiled premium collections including the "Grass-Court," developed in partnership with Tony Bianco. This repositioned Volley into a higher price bracket (above AUD100), drawing inspiration from Dunlop’s iconic tennis silhouettes.

The Dunlop Volley was included as part of Australia’s official attire at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Additionally, Volleys have become favored among Australian canyoners for their dependable traction on slippery rocks.