| The popularity of table tennis is increasing exponentially | | | | one of the most important factors that a shoe must |
| and, if they want to do well at the sport, players must | | | | address and the Butterfly Energy Force III's |
| ensure that they have the right equipment, gear, | | | | construction includes treatment with Asics-Gel, a |
| clothing and shoes. Shoes are especially important and, | | | | 'damping pulp' which serves to reduce the debilitating |
| as they can be quite expensive, players must invest in | | | | effects of the continuous impact on a player's joints |
| shoes that suit them perfectly. There are many | | | | that the sport causes. Also of concern is whether or |
| different table tennis shoe brands on the market and, in | | | | not a shoe will skid if a player puts his foot down at an |
| order for players to locate their perfect shoes, they | | | | angle and Butterfly has combated this problem by |
| should review as many of them as possible. In order to | | | | providing this shoe with a reinforcement system that |
| help players with this process, here is a quick overview | | | | covers the shoe's outer edges. The shoe also |
| of the different features offered by some of the | | | | features a slit tongue, which serves to hold the foot |
| leading table tennis shoe manufacturers. | | | | firmly in place and thus increase a player's stability. |
| One of the more well known table tennis shoe | | | | Adidas table tennis shoes try extremely hard to |
| manufacturers is Stiga, who market their Challenger, | | | | address players' concerns about effective footwear |
| Master and Pro-Play shoe series. Table tennis shoes | | | | and, as a result, are chock full of innovative |
| are usually manufactured from high-tech materials that | | | | technological features. A shoe's ventilation is extremely |
| promote water absorption and moisture evacuation | | | | important as feet tend to swell if they get overheated |
| from the shoe and Stiga's Master series is a prime | | | | and swelling will hamper speed and performance. |
| example of this technology in action. Stiga Master table | | | | Adidas have therefore developed their ClimaCool |
| tennis shoes have a toe covering made from | | | | metallic mesh technology to provide ample ventilation |
| Alumesh, which is instrumental in getting rid of excess | | | | within the shoe under even the most strenuous |
| moisture, and they also feature outer soles with tire-like | | | | conditions. They have also noted players' concerns |
| patterns that help improve a player's grip on the floor. | | | | about stability, and their Torsion System, which allows |
| Grip is an extremely important factor that affects how | | | | the front and rear portions of the foot to move |
| the game is played as a player who cannot balance | | | | independently of each other, improves both surface |
| cannot return balls effectively. Stiga Masters also | | | | adaptation and stability. Finally, as table tennis shoes |
| feature shock absorption technology in the form of | | | | need to last a long time and are put under |
| their Stiga Shock Absorb Module and whether a shoe | | | | considerable strain, they have developed their adiTUFF |
| offers sufficient shock absorption is an area of major | | | | technology that helps prevent abrasion, particularly in |
| concern for players as the last thing they want is the | | | | the toe area, and thus extends the life of the shoe. |
| stress caused by their feet constantly hitting the floor | | | | The above are by no means the only examples of |
| to damage their ankles. | | | | table tennis shoe manufacturers resolving players' |
| Another of the well known table tennis shoe | | | | concerns through the introduction of new technology |
| manufacturers is Butterfly and their Energy Force III | | | | and those in the market for shoes should conduct |
| series is a prime example of a shoe's incorporating | | | | thorough research before buying a pair. |
| features that cater to players' concerns. Joint strain is | | | | |