Shoes that are specifically designed for table tennis may seem like an overpriced whim if you aren’t planning on turning pro anytime soon. However, that is simply not the case as playing with the right kind of shoes can not only improve your skills with the ping pong bat, but it can also protect you from unpleasant sports injuries. Although the stakes with table tennis are not as high as with volleyball, for example, one could still get hurt if ill-prepared. As the old saying goes – better safe than sorry.
Why Do You Need Table Tennis Shoes?
Playing with professional table tennis footwear can help serious players as much as recreational ones. These kinds of sports shoes are super lightweight, have a good grip and improve your speed of movement. No one can deny that having your table tennis racket be a perfect match for your hand is of utmost importance when playing – the same goes for your shoes as you must choose a pair based on a number of specific factors, such as durability, flexibility and shock absorption.
What to Look for When Choosing Table Tennis Shoes?
In this article, we would like to shed some light on the most crucial characteristics that you should look for when shopping for table tennis shoes. Remember that the right choice can make you a winner.
Material
Shoes for indoor sports, like table tennis, are generally made from rubber as the bottom material, but the weight of the soles is a particular requirement for a good pair of sneakers because of the fast movements that generally happen when playing sports. Emergency stops also often take place so the shoes should have a solid grip as to avoid any falls and injuries.
Shock Absorption
The shock absorption is a factor that mostly applies to the type of floor you use to play table tennis on. Your joints will certainly feel differently when playing on a wooden sprung floor in comparison to concrete or other hard flooring. Regardless of the conditions, it’s always best to own two pairs of sports shoes – one pair that is as lightweight as possible and another one that is a little bit heavier and has more shock absorption, like competition shoes.
Durability
In terms of sports shoes, stitched soles will generally last longer than soles that are glued to the uppers. However, soles take a long time to wear out but that doesn’t mean that the shoes are in great condition before then. Some of the most durable fabrics are leather and plastics but whatever you choose, it should come as no surprise that any pair will lose their shock absorption ability over time.
Grips
Some surfaces are more slippery than others so your shoes should have a tight grip on the floor you play table tennis on. Depending on your game style and how often you usually slide when playing, you have to choose between shoes with normal rubber soles and harder plastic soles.
Flexibility
The level of rigidity depends on the player’s preference but table tennis shoes with too much flex can feel loose on the foot whereas tighter shoes may feel restrained. The most important thing on the court is to move as easily as possible, so choose wisely.
Design
You should never rely solely on the design of the shoe as marketing tactics aim to sell as many shoes as possible but if a stylish design gives you a mental boost on the court, there’s no harm in owning a beautiful pair of table tennis shoes.
Comfort
A loss is a guarantee on the court if your shoes are not comfortable. When looking for sports shoes, you should always try them out with your normal inserts before putting any orthotics or special gel insoles, because any added inserts will immediately change the way your foot feels.
What Socks to Wear?
Overlooking the socks when shopping for table tennis equipment is a common mistake. Always look for a breathable material like polyester but remember that cushioning is provided by the shoes and insoles, not the socks.