Wondering what you can do to help improve the way you play table tennis? While many would recommend a new paddle, more training, or even your own ping pong table, we suggest you look into the different table tennis shoes on the market.
You may have discovered that table tennis requires quite a bit of moving around. Simply shifting the distance between you and the table can change the course of a game, so fancy footwork is definitely something you may want to improve on.
There are lots of different shoes designed for table tennis, and these are intended to help you stay light on your feet while providing the traction you need to stay firmly planted while you deliver those killer smashes.
Interested in discovering the best table tennis shoes to step up your style? Learn more on the process of choosing and discover a few top picks with our expert guide and review.
What Makes a Good Table Tennis Shoe?
Shouldn’t any shoe be good enough for table tennis? Perhaps for recreational players. But if you’re hoping to join an event, you should know that not all shoes are designed for table tennis. In some cases, certain designs might even weigh you down and dampen your performance.
To help you find the right shoes for table tennis, keep these factors in mind when you make your purchase.
1. Grip
Perhaps the most important factor to look for in a shoe is grip. More often than not, table tennis competitions are played indoors on special flooring that needs to be level and smooth. Because of this, typical shoes might not have enough ‘stick’ to them, causing you to slip and slide unintentionally.
What you want during a game is the ability to move around quickly to stroke a fast moving ball without having to worry about losing your footing. A pair of shoes that offers the right amount of traction on indoor surfaces will help guarantee that your foot will stay where you plant it.
Another reason why grip is so important is because of our specific body mechanics. To deliver a powerful stroke, our bodies transfer energy from our leg up to our arms to generate more strength. If your feet aren’t firmly planted, your hitting power could become significantly dampened.
2. Lightweight
Heavy shoes will weigh you down and make it hard to move. Because a professional table tennis match could extend for hours, you’ll want something that’s light and easy to move in, so you don’t tire out too fast.
Shoes made from lightweight yet durable materials like synthetic and TPU can be ideal for table tennis. These materials also tend to be durable, so they’re not likely to wear out too soon after you pop them out of the box.
3. Pliable
A pair of pliable shoes will bend and move to meet your step, so they won’t hold you back in terms of the movements you can make. In table tennis, you should expect to move your feet around quite a bit, so shoes that won’t limit your range of motion are ideal.
That said, you should also be wary of shoes that tend to be too flexible. Soft materials that let you move too much can cause issues with support, leaving your ankles prone to inversion and eversion injuries. Soft yet structured shoes are the way to go. Find something that will let you move, but won’t put you in danger of a broken ankle.
4. Comfortable
As with any other shoe, if your table tennis shoes aren’t comfortable, you might find that they’ll wear you out soon after you start a game. Blistered feet also aren’t uncommon, especially if the shoes you chose have the wrong silhouette.
Shoes with collars that dig into your ankles can be very uncomfortable even after just a short period of time. So make sure you choose something that cuts around the bony prominences of your ankles. It also doesn’t hurt to consider the interior of your shoe. Soft, plush padding that gives better rebound can be perfect for a more comfortable step.
5. Brand
When it all comes right down to it, there’s no need to really seek out a table tennis specific brand of shoes. Sure, there are quite a few of them out there, but it’s not necessarily important to buy something just because of its brand.
As a rule, you shouldn’t let yourself be swayed by fancy marketing talk and tactics. When choosing the right shoes, all you really need to consider is your own preference and standards. So if you find a pair of running shoes that feel good for table tennis too, then that’s all that matters.
The 5 Best Table Tennis Shoes Reviewed
1. Butterfly Trynex Table Tennis Shoes
On our list of the best ping pong shoes, we’re ranking the Butterfly Trynex Table Tennis Shoes the ultimate choice. Designed specifically for ping pong players, this shoe boasts everything you might look for in a table tennis shoe and more.
Made from durable, premium quality materials, these shoes promise to bump up your performance so you can take control of the table. Underneath, flexible yet durable rubber outsoles hold your feet in place, giving a satisfyingly sticky slap as your foot falls to the ground. A variety of tread patterns also cover the outsoles’ surface, giving excellent grip for fast moving play.
The uppers are made from synthetic and mesh, with overlays that don’t only add style to the construction, but also add a touch of aesthetic appeal. Currently, these shoes are available in red/white and blue/white colorways, which both boast a classic yet sporty appeal.
The best part? The Butterfly Trynex Table Tennis Shoes are also the cheapest on our list. We think it’s mostly a matter of branding, but because these shoes come from a lesser known company, they also come with a lighter price tag. All things considered though, they definitely deserve a spot alongside some of the juggernauts of the sporting industry.
2. Adidas Approach Tennis Shoe
Speaking of industry juggernauts, our next shoe comes from one of the most popular brands in the realm of sports. The Approach Tennis Shoe from Adidas boasts a classic, clean, all-white aesthetic that’s seamless and stylish. So aside from being a suitable table tennis shoe, it also works well for casual days around town.
The shoe was originally designed for tennis, but generally speaking, both sports operate with the same principles. So any shoe designed for racket games can be a suitable choice.
With its durable construction, flexible build, and stand-out traction, there Adidas Approach leaves little to be desired. Of course, all of these come at a pretty steep price. But if you’re dedicated Adidas sneakerhead, that might not be too much of a problem.
3. Asics Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe
Remember how we said that a table tennis shoe doesn’t necessarily have to be specifically designed for table tennis? Case in point: the Asics Gel-Rocket 8 Volleyball Shoe. Although this design was specifically developed for volleyball, it does have all of the features you would look for in a table tennis shoe, which is why we’ve given it the third spot on our list.
At a glance, it’s easy to see that the design is lightweight and flexible – and it is. The shoe uses some of the pliable mesh uppers in the industry, giving you the freedom to move without sacrificing support. Overlays also help give the shoe some structure, so the design doesn’t leave your feet without proper stiffness.
In terms of comfort, the Gel-Rocket 8 is a cut above the rest. Asics has become popular for their ultra-comfortable shoe designs, especially those that use their signature Gel inserts. So with the Rocket 8, each step is exceptionally soft and effortless.
4. Nike Court Lite Tennis Shoes
Another good looking shoe on our list is the Nike Court Lite Tennis Shoe. Originally intended for tennis, these shoes feature a lightweight and durable construction that can also be great for ping pong.
Grip is nothing short of impressive, as with most other Nike shoes, thanks to the multi-directional treads that create aggressive traction perfect for smooth surfaces. The uppers are structured yet forgiving, allowing just enough range of motion without having you lose support completely.
Are they affordable? We’ll go ahead and say they fall right smack in the middle of the cost spectrum, so they’re definitely not the cheapest. But you can get yourself a branded pair of table tennis shoes that are guaranteed to deliver.
5. Mizuno Wave Rider 21 Running Shoe
Running shoes for table tennis? You best believe it. The Mizuno Wave Rider 21 Running Shoe is our last pick to complete our list, and for a few good reasons.
For starters, it boasts breathable mesh uppers that are both flexible and comfortable, letting you move without distractions so you can focus on your game. Underneath the shoe, you’ll find aggressive tread patterns that provide a satisfying slap against smooth terrain, giving you reliable grip no matter how quick a game might go. Finally, the shoes also feature a special U4IC Midsole Foam that helps improve comfort so you can stand, run, and slide with minimal fatigue.
The only issue? Well, coming from a relatively unknown brand, the Mizuno Wave Rider 21 might seem like a pretty expensive pair. Unless you’re ready to shell out a higher price for a brand that isn’t too popular, the Rider 21 might seem a little impractical.
Conclusion
There are lots of shoes out there that could help bump up the way you play your game. So make sure you invest in the right pair to see just how well you can perform with nothing more than a change of gear.
The Butterfly Trynex Table Tennis Shoes are some of the best we’ve found through extensive research. With their lightweight build, breathable and flexible construction, and super affordable price, these shoes are nothing short of a steal.
If for some reason they just don’t seem to be rubbing you off the right way, then go ahead and browse through our four other recommendations. These shoe designs have been tried, tested, and trusted by thousands all over the globe, so we’re confident that you’ll find the best table tennis shoes on our list.