How to maintain grippiness of shoes

[PhoenixTT]

A friend's badminton shoes (Mizuno, which he uses for TT) is still structurally sound. The sole does not show wear and tear. However, after just a year it has lost its original grippiness and is quite useless now (and it's not fake, bought from Mizuno directly). My suspicion is this is largely due to his practice of leaving it out in the sun to dry after he washes them.
But I began to wonder:
- Is there a way to restore at least some of a shoe's grippiness, using a TT rubber cleaner? (I don't use them so I can't experiment)
- Would TT rubber cleaners help to maintain / prolong a new shoe's grippiness, by using them while the shoe is still new?
- (Weird one) Would covering the sole in plastic help prolong its life (like the plastic protects TT rubber).
- Do you do anything to maintain your shoes, especially expensive ones?

 

[BlopChock]

A - My suspicion is this is largely due to his practice of leaving it out in the sun to dry after he washes them.
But I began to wonder:
B - Is there a way to restore at least some of a shoe's grippiness, using a TT rubber cleaner? (I don't use them so I can't experiment)
C - Would TT rubber cleaners help to maintain / prolong a new shoe's grippiness, by using them while the shoe is still new?
D - (Weird one) Would covering the sole in plastic help prolong its life (like the plastic protects TT rubber).
E - Do you do anything to maintain your shoes, especially expensive ones?

A) Yes, UV rays are hard on cloth, leather, rubber, etc.

B & C) Never tried it with TT rubber cleaner, but can't imagine it would be more harmful to gum rubber soles than racket rubbers - so worth a shot if they have some on hand. I do know they sell traction-enhancers to basketballers - no idea how effective they are, nor how ecologically sound.

D) Dunno, but imagine an airtight covering might slow oxidation?

E) Always wear street shoes to and from, TT shoes only once inside.Don't use the same bag to carry them home as the one you brought them in, unless you clean them onsite - otherwise, you're just dirtying the inside for the next time; I use a lil grocery bag for the return trip. Most times it'll only take water and a light scrubbing with a microfiber towel if the event/training floor was clean; a little gentle dish soap added if it wasn't. Let the soles completely dry at room temperature before putting them into cloth shoe bag . Store them in cool, dry, dark space.

PS. If you're going to be playing on successive days often, it's a good idea to have two pair and alternate.

 

[lodro]

A friend's badminton shoes (Mizuno, which he uses for TT) is still structurally sound. The sole does not show wear and tear. However, after just a year it has lost its original grippiness and is quite useless now (and it's not fake, bought from Mizuno directly). My suspicion is this is largely due to his practice of leaving it out in the sun to dry after he washes them.
But I began to wonder:
- Is there a way to restore at least some of a shoe's grippiness, using a TT rubber cleaner? (I don't use them so I can't experiment)
- Would TT rubber cleaners help to maintain / prolong a new shoe's grippiness, by using them while the shoe is still new?
- (Weird one) Would covering the sole in plastic help prolong its life (like the plastic protects TT rubber).
- Do you do anything to maintain your shoes, especially expensive ones?

I got the Mizuno Wave drive 8 and have actually given up wearing them because they slip too much.


Because you started this thread I took one shoe and cleaned the sole with an alcohol wipe ::::: "Well, I'll be buggered" !!!! this increased the grip quite drastically 😂 😂 😂

Temu | Explore the Latest Clothing, Beauty, Home, Jewelry & More

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[BlopChock]

https://splicedonline.com/will-isopropyl-alcohol-damage-rubber/

 

[lodro]

https://splicedonline.com/will-isopropyl-alcohol-damage-rubber/

Generally, isopropyl alcohol is considered safe for use with most rubber materials, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and silicone rubber. According to the International Rubber Study Group, IPA is a non-reactive solvent that does not cause significant degradation or swelling in rubber compounds. However, it is essential to note that some rubber materials, such as latex, may be affected by IPA.

Can't make myself believe that there is a lot of latex in these soles.

 

[BlopChock]

Yup, most TT soles are gum rubber, which is natural - so as shown on the chart at the bottom of that article I linked for ya, it is "generally compatible."

 

[PhoenixTT]

I got the Mizuno Wave drive 8 and have actually given up wearing them because they slip too much.


Because you started this thread I took one shoe and cleaned the sole with an alcohol wipe ::::: "Well, I'll be buggered" !!!! this increased the grip quite drastically 😂 😂 😂

Temu | Explore the Latest Clothing, Beauty, Home, Jewelry & More

www.google.com

Interesting. I might try it too and see how long it lasts.

 

[Egon]

A bit off topic. My Mizuno Wave Bolt 7 wore out in a year. In that same time, the soles of the budget Asics Upcourt 5 look almost unworn.

 

[BlotOnPaper]

I play TT in shoes designed for basketball/voleyball(usually something low, point guard stuff) because i'm on a heavier side and never really had a problem with losing grip. a lot of times rubber compounds on such shoes are designed for variety of court types, indoor and outdoor, so if you just wipe it with some water grip becomes like new. I played with 808 4 ultra for a long time but switched to yushuai ultra low and they are just soo good in all aspects. Great containment, huge lateral flange which gives it really anamomically correct fit for my wider foot, amazing traction and great speed on lateral movement. And also my knees like them a lot which is the most important, i hate how a lot of TT shoes have pretty much zero shock absorbtion. So it can be that badminton/tt shoes have softer and less resistant rubber compounds and therefore they deteriorate and oxidize faster.

 

[Wakkibatty]

You can buy specially formulated chemical sprays that are designed to heighten the grip levels of indoor shoes. Apparently they're hugely popular with basketball players, as I'm given to understand their use is completely legal under the rules of the game.

I also believe there are several various brands available out there.... Here's an Australian one:

https://grip-x.com.au/grip-spray/

 

[PhoenixTT]

You can buy specially formulated chemical sprays that are designed to heighten the grip levels of indoor shoes. Apparently they're hugely popular with basketball players, as I'm given to understand their use is completely legal under the rules of the game.

I also believe there are several various brands available out there.... Here's an Australian one:

https://grip-x.com.au/grip-spray/

Yeah I saw that product too. Interesting to see how well it would work on a rubber sole that qualifies as anti-spin... oh, now I wonder what happens if you spray something like grip-x on a topsheet .

 

[lodro]

Yeah I saw that product too. Interesting to see how well it would work on a rubber sole that qualifies as anti-spin... oh, now I wonder what happens if you spray something like grip-x on a topsheet .

great minds think alike, I'll try it this afternoon 😂

 

[Wakkibatty]

Yeah I saw that product too. Interesting to see how well it would work on a rubber sole that qualifies as anti-spin... oh, now I wonder what happens if you spray something like grip-x on a topsheet .

The Aussie one is a form of liquid rosin I think, in which case it would cover your blade with a very fine layer of genuinely sticky, liquified pine tree sap. On an old tacky rubbers you might get away with this, on a newer grippy rubbers maybe not so much.

There are several other brands however so maybe a different formulation might work.

 

[nokyaiTT]

My friend found this on a trip to Japan. Works very well - https://www.nishohi.com/en/table-tennis/maintenance/sahara-dry-indoor-shoes-grip-spray

 

[igorponger]

Honey - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Let it dry up to the full.
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Be erudite of everything.