Mizuno Table Tennis Shoes: The Wave Model That Fits Your Game (2026)

Which Mizuno Table Tennis Shoes Should You Buy?

For most club players, the best Mizuno table tennis shoes are the Wave Medal 8: a stable, cushioned dedicated shoe listed at 275 g. If you play fast and close to the table, pick the Wave Drive Neo 4, which sits just 9.0 mm off the floor. If you want the lightest pair Mizuno makes, look at the Wave Drive EL 2, at about 225 g.

Mizuno is one of the few big sportswear brands with a full line of shoes made for table tennis rather than borrowed from running or volleyball. The catch for US buyers is that many listings use Japanese centimeter sizing, and stock is patchy outside Asia and Europe. This guide covers the current lineup, what separates the Medal and Drive families, how to size them, and how to care for them.

Mizuno's Current Table Tennis Shoe Lineup

Mizuno's dedicated table tennis shoes split into two clear families, plus an entry-level model. Knowing which family suits you narrows the choice right away.

Wave Medal: Stability First

The Medal line is built for players who want a stable, supportive platform. Mizuno's own tagline for the Wave Medal 8 is "Stability for every movement." It gets a redesigned heel for a better heel fit, a two-layer Enerzy NXT midsole (a softer nitrogen-infused top layer over a firmer EVA-based bottom layer) and the Mizuno Wave plate. The previous Wave Medal 7 used a 9.0 mm stack, a Stepillar sole structure and Dura Shield toe protection, but it is now listed as out of stock on Mizuno's site.

Wave Drive: Speed and Floor Feel

The Drive line is about being light and low. The Wave Drive Neo 4 lists a 9.0 mm stack and 265 g, and the Japan-market Wave Drive EL 2 is described as Mizuno's lightest table tennis model. Mizuno describes the older Wave Drive 9 (235 g, 9.0 mm stack) as made "for intermediate to elite level players seeking flexibility and a barefoot feel," which sums up the whole family. The Wave Drive 9 and the Wave Drive Neo 3 are both listed as out of stock on Mizuno's EU site.

Crossmatch Sword 2: The Starter Shoe

Mizuno calls the Crossmatch Sword 2 the "perfect starter shoe for table tennis beginners." It is light and flexible, with a flat sole and U4icX cushioning, but it skips the Wave plate and the detailed tech of the Medal and Drive models.

Specs at a Glance

Mizuno doesn't publish every number for every model, so the table only shows the figures it (or its Japanese retail listings) actually state.

The Best Mizuno Table Tennis Shoes Reviewed

1. Mizuno Wave Medal 8: Best Overall

The Wave Medal 8 is the most complete shoe in the range. Flex grooves in the XG Rubber outsole let your toes grip the floor, which Mizuno says extends your range of motion for more dynamic footwork. The redesigned heel and Wave plate target stability, and Enerzy NXT adds cushioning, a first in a Mizuno table tennis shoe according to its Japanese listing. Japanese retailers list the standard version as 2E-equivalent in width, with sizes from 22.5 to 28.5 cm.

It is the pick for players who train often, play long sessions or want a little more protection for their heels and knees.

2. Mizuno Wave Drive Neo 4: Best Low-Profile Shoe

The Neo 4 is the successor to the Neo 3 and keeps the same 9.0 mm stack height. Mizuno lists it at 265 g, with PoWnCe foam (which Mizuno says matches the energy return of its AP+ foam at about 10% less weight), a Mizuno Wave plate and a D-Flex Groove in the midfoot for quick push-off. The upper uses synthetic leather with more than 30% recycled content and Mizuno's Dynamotion Fit construction.

Choose it if you play an attacking, close-to-table game and value floor feel over cushioning.

3. Mizuno Wave Drive EL 2: Lightest Pick

The Wave Drive EL 2 is a Japan-market model that Mizuno's Japanese retail listings describe as its lightest table tennis shoe, at about 225 g in a 26.0 cm size. It uses a mix of foams (PoWnCe, U4icX and SR Touch) over a Mizuno Wave plate, with XG Rubber and a D-Flex Groove underneath. Sizing runs from 22.5 to 28.5 cm in a 2E-equivalent width.

It suits quick, light-footed players. Because it is sized only in cm, measure your foot before ordering.

4. Mizuno Wave Medal 8 Wide: Best for Wide Feet

If the standard Medal 8 feels tight across the forefoot, Mizuno also makes a wide version (style code 81GA2583). It keeps the stability-focused Medal 8 design and adds room to reduce pressure during long matches. Separate weight and width figures for the wide version are hard to find, so check the retailer listing before you order.

5. Mizuno Crossmatch Sword 2: Best for Beginners

The Crossmatch Sword 2 is Mizuno's entry point. Mizuno UK lists it in UK sizes 6.5 to 11 and calls it a starter shoe for beginners, with a light build, flat sole and U4icX cushioning. It is a sensible first pair if you are just learning how to play table tennis and want something better than gym trainers.

Which Mizuno Model Suits Your Playing Style?

If no Mizuno model is in stock in your size, our guide to the best table tennis shoes compares Butterfly and JOOLA alternatives, and our ASICS Gel-Rocket review covers a widely stocked indoor court shoe many players use instead.

How to Size Mizuno Shoes (Japanese cm Sizing)

Most Mizuno table tennis shoes are unisex, and many listings, including Amazon, show sizes in centimeters. The cm figure refers to foot length, so sizing by measurement is more reliable than converting from your usual US size.

1. Measure your foot. Stand on a sheet of paper, mark your heel and longest toe, and measure the distance in cm. Do both feet and use the longer one.
2. Match it to the cm size. Mizuno's cm sizing corresponds to insole length. If you have an old insole, measure it flat from heel to toe without following the raised heel edge.
3. Use US sizes only as a cross-check. As a rough guide from RunRepeat's Mizuno chart, a 27 cm foot is a men's US 9, 28 cm a men's 10 and 29 cm a men's 11. For women, 23 cm is about a US 6.5, 24 cm a 7.5 and 25 cm an 8.5.
4. Check the width. Japanese listings show width as 2E or similar. The standard Medal 8 and the Drive EL 2 are listed as 2E-equivalent; if you usually need wide shoes, look at the Medal 8 Wide.

How to Care for Mizuno Table Tennis Shoes

• Keep them indoor-only. Wearing them outside picks up grit and wears the grippy outsole faster.
• Wipe the soles. Dust kills grip on sports hall floors, so wipe the outsoles before you play.
• Follow Mizuno's care label. Mizuno's care instructions for its table tennis models say hand wash at 30°C, do not bleach and do not tumble dry.
• Air them out. Pull out the removable insoles after play and let both dry naturally.
• Replace them when the tread goes smooth. Once the shoe slips, it has lost its main job.

Shoes are only one part of your kit. See our full table tennis equipment guide for the rest, or browse more table tennis gear.

The Verdict

The Wave Medal 8 is the best all-round choice among Mizuno table tennis shoes, combining stability and cushioning at 275 g. Pick the Wave Drive Neo 4 for a low, fast feel, the Wave Drive EL 2 if weight matters most, the Medal 8 Wide for wide feet and the Crossmatch Sword 2 if you are just starting out. Whichever pair you choose, size it by foot length in cm and keep it for indoor play only.

Frequently Asked Questions