Towels

Table tennis towels — bench towels for use between points and at the change of ends.

Sweat on the hand changes the grip on the handle and sweat on the ball changes how it behaves, so a towel is genuinely part of the equipment in a long match rather than an accessory to it. Match rules allow towelling off at set intervals, which is why a bench towel is standard kit in a bag.

Size is the practical difference: a small towel is enough for the hand between points, a larger one covers the change of ends and after play.