Best Shoes for Table Tennis: My Ultimate Winning Choices

The Best Shoes for Table Tennis provide the traction, support, and stability needed to improve your game. With the quick lateral movements and rapid changes in direction required in the sport, you need shoes that can provide top-notch traction, support, and stability on the court, but with so many options on the market, it can be tricky to determine which table tennis shoes are truly worth investing in.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about finding the best table tennis shoes to improve your game.

You’ll learn the key features that make table tennis shoes different than standard athletic shoes, the major brands to look for, and our recommendations for the top-rated models for various playing styles and experience levels.

Read on to find the perfect pair of table tennis shoes to gain an edge over your competitors!

Do You Need Ping Pong Shoes to Play?

As an avid table tennis player myself, I strongly recommend using shoes designed specifically for the sport rather than regular athletic sneakers. Here’s why:

Better Traction – The soles of table tennis shoes grip the floor for assured movement. Regular sneakers can cause slips.

Increased Support – The stop-start motions require solid arch and lateral support to prevent injury.

Enhanced Stability – Lower profile soles and flatter designs provide better balance for quick changes in direction.

Improved Comfort – Lightweight materials and ventilation keep feet comfortable during longer matches.

Longer Lasting – Table tennis is tough on shoes. Models designed for the sport hold up better.

In my experience, table tennis shoes make a significant difference in stability, traction and footwork compared to cross trainers. Any player from beginner to advanced will benefit from footwear engineered specifically for the unique movements of table tennis.

Are Table Tennis Shoes Worth It?

In my opinion, yes, the investment in quality table tennis shoes pays dividends over time. Not only do they provide better performance, they also help prevent injury. Having sure footing and cushioning safeguards your feet and legs from the impact of constant lunging during play.

While more expensive than regular athletic shoes, table tennis shoes deliver value by enhancing your movement and foot stability. For frequent or competitive players, I consider them a necessity. Recreational players can benefit as well.

However keep in mind that TT shoes are meant for specific types of indoor floors for competition settings which are fairly soft. This means that TT shoes usually don’t have much cushioning, and if you are playing in a non-competition setting with harder floors, or outside on concrete, they might not offer enough cushion for certain people and the soles may wear out faster.

Do Table Tennis Shoes Make a Difference?

If you are a serious player who competes, then the answer is yes, absolutely. The specialized sole materials grip the court better, allowing for quicker acceleration and changes in direction. The shoes feel “stickier”, so your footwork and reaction time feels faster compared to normal sneakers.

The lower profile sole and support features also promote better balance for initiating rapid movements from a standing position. During long matches, the shoes provide energy return and shock absorption right where you need it.

Overall the differences add up to faster footwork, fewer slips, and greater endurance – all key elements for elevated table tennis play.

What Type of Shoe is Best for Ping Pong?

Lightweight (around 10-13 oz) is ideal – heavy shoes cause fatigue. Low-cut styles allow ankle mobility. Look for non-marking soles with tread optimized for quick pivoting. Shock absorption and arch support protect against injury. Breathable uppers maintain ventilation. Durability ensures longevity. Ultimately personal fit and feel preferences will determine the best shoe.

Types of Shoes to Avoid

Shoes with raised, thick, cushioned heels such as your typical cross trainer should be avoided as these can lead to rolled ankles easier. If you don’t want to use shoes specifically made for table tennis, opt for shoes that are made for sports with rapid directional changes and side movement.

Many table tennis players also like using indoor volleyball shoes, indoor soccer shoes, or basketball shoes. Many of these other types of shoes can also be bought for cheaper than TT shoes.

Best Table Tennis Shoe Brands

There are a few companies that specialize in manufacturing quality table tennis shoes. Here are some of the top brands to look for:

Butterfly

Butterfly is one of the most well-known and trusted brands for all table tennis gear. They offer a wide selection of high-performance table tennis shoes in various styles.

Mizuno

Renowned for their athletic footwear, Mizuno, a Japanese company, brings technologies like Wave Plate cushioning to their table tennis offerings. Their shoes promote speed and responsiveness.

Gewo

Gewo is a German table tennis brand that emphasizes innovation. Their shoes feature systems like Air Pump technology for lightweight cushioning.

Joola

A top brand for tables and other equipment, Joola makes affordable yet durable shoes perfect for recreational players.

Stiga

Stiga is another prominent table tennis company with a long history. Their shoes offer great support and grip for competitive players.

Asics

Asics actually does not make table tennis specific shoes, but they do make cheap, popular indoor volleyball shoes which many tt players like also to use.

Here are my Top Ping Pong Shoe Recommendations:

Butterfly Lezoline Gigu Shoes – Top Competitive Choice

As a competitive table tennis player, I’ve tested many of their shoe models over the years. In my experience, the Butterfly Lezoline Gigu stands out as their top high-performance option for tournaments and serious play.

The main reason why I recommend these shoes is the unparalleled grip and stability it provides. Butterfly’s specialized WINGRIP rubber sole compound sticks to the floor exceptionally well.

Compared to other shoes I’ve worn, the traction and assuredness of footwork with the Butterfly Lezoline Gigu is noticeably better. I can move, cut, and change direction with total confidence thanks to the stability and grip.

I also appreciate the Gigu’s shock absorbing B-Absorber sponge sole. It cushions impact from repetitive lunges and hard landings typical in competitive play. My feet and legs stay fresher for longer matches. Yet it still maintains good court feel.

The upper is comfortable but secures the foot properly, preventing sliding around inside the shoe. This balances flexibility and control.

After logging many hours on the court myself with the Butterfly Lezoline Gigu shoes, I can say they provide the ideal blend of traction, cushioning and stability needed for top-level competitive table tennis. The performance and durability has lived up to my high expectations from Butterfly.

GEWO Smash-Flex – Best Value

Based on the lightweight design, grip technology, and torsion system specs, the Gewo Smash-Flex appears to be a high-performance competition shoe.

The integrated grip bars on the rubber outsole should provide excellent traction for assured footwork and pivoting. This level of grip is essential for quick changes of direction in competitive play.

I like that the Smash-Flex has a torsion system in the midfoot to aid in rapid lateral motions and foot speed strength. The ventilated upper also caters to the constant movement of competitive table tennis. Gewo shoes tend to fit true to size in my experience. The low-profile stable construction aligns well with the needs of the sport.

For intermediate to advanced players seeking a lightweight and grippy shoe for competition, the Gewo Smash-Flex seems like an excellent high-end choice. While priced at $79.99, the technology and performance quality is on par with top models from other leading brands. I’d feel comfortable recommending the Smash-Flex to serious table tennis players looking for top-notch grip and quickness.

Asics Upcourt Shoes – Cheapest Option – Durable

Although these are actually made for indoor volleyball, I have a few friends that like using these for table tennis. Also when I was researching shoes, I saw that a couple other people on Reddit also said that they like using these, and found them to be very long lasting.

So obviously I wanted to include these as well.

They are aso super cheap right now, and are available in many different colors. The women’s are only about $42 and the men’s about $45.

I would recommend these for players on a tight budget or players looking for a 2nd pair of more casual shoes for when their not competing.

JOOLA Rally 2020 – Best Selling Budget Choice

I’m always on the lookout for shoes that provide stability, traction, and comfort at an affordable price point. Based on the specs, the JOOLA Rally 2020 seems to check all those boxes.

The mesh and microfiber upper seem ideal for keeping feet cool and dry during rigorous matches. Proper ventilation is key with the constant movement of table tennis.

I like that the Rally 2020 has an EVA inner sole for cushioning high impacts from jumps and quick direction changes. This helps reduce strain during play.

The reasonable price tag and a best-selling product of a leading brand. I’d feel confident recommending it to players looking for basic performance and durability without expensive extras. For a daily court shoe, the JOOLA Rally 2020 seems like a solid pick.

STIGA CS658136 Table Tennis Shoes – Most Affordable

I have used Stiga shoes and have been happy with their quality and performance. Based on the specs, the CN-I model appears to be a solid recreational shoe at an affordable price point.

Stiga shoes emphasize stability and control, which is essential for the quick lateral movements and pivots required in table tennis. The herringbone tread pattern on the rubber sole should provide decent traction on the court.

I like that the CN-I has a low-profile design for stability and decent court feel. The EVA midsole will absorb impacts from repetitive lunging while the upper looks to offer breathability.

Stiga shoes tend to run true to size and accommodate wide feet well in my experience. For casual players looking for an introductory table tennis shoe with basic features like traction and support, the Stiga CN-I seems like a good value choice.

The orange colorway offers something unique too. I’d feel comfortable recommending these to table tennis students or recreational players not needing top-tier performance shoes.

Mizuno Wave Drive 9 – Popular Among Pro Players

Here is a classic shoe that was used by legend pro players such as Ma Long, Zhang Ike, and Xu Chin. If you want a shoe that is popular among pro players, then you should consider buying these.

These are made to be lightweight and should be great for competition. They feature a heel wave plate which helps cushioning and decreasing the weight. The rubber is meant to be super grippy which should help you change direction quickly.

Mizuno shoes tend to fit true to size and the low-profile design is appropriate for the constant side-to-side motions in table tennis. The rubber outsole looks to offer sufficient traction for assured footing during play.

Mizuno shoes can be hard to get in the US and usually need to be imported from Japan, however I found ebay to have many stores selling this model now in all sizes at a decent price with free shipping.

Go Lace Up and Get Those Table Tennis Wins!

The Best Shoes for Table Tennis provide the grip, support, and responsiveness to elevate your game. We hope this guide has helped you understand what to look for in shoes tailored for the sport.

Get the right pair and you’ll immediately notice increased grip and responsive footwork to elevate your game. Your footwork will become more assured and your performance will improve with shoes engineered specifically for table tennis.

Now go lace up, get on the court, and play your best!

Check out more essential ping pong equipment recommendations here.