Best PUMA Handball Shoes: Which Model Should You Choose?
Handball asks a lot from your shoes, and what you need from them depends on how you play. PUMA has three main handball shoe franchises: Accelerate NITRO™, Eliminate NITRO™, and Vantage NITRO™. They share some of the same technology, including NITRO™ cushioning, but each one has a different focus.
Accelerate NITRO™ is geared towards speed and quick movement. Eliminate NITRO™ gives you more support on the court. Vantage NITRO™ is more versatile and works across different positions. All three come in men's and women's versions.
The choice isn't only about position, though. Some players want a lighter shoe that feels quick underfoot. Others need more support when cutting and changing direction. How much cushioning and lockdown you want makes a difference too.
Browse the full range at the PUMA handball hub.
What is PUMA NITRO™ technology?
NITRO™ is PUMA's nitrogen-infused foam cushioning. It's made to keep things light underfoot while giving you cushioning and a more responsive feel when you push off.
Accelerate NITRO™ and Eliminate NITRO™ use NITRO™ SQD, while Vantage NITRO™ uses standard NITRO™ with a PWRPLATE. There are a few other technologies you'll come across in the range too.
- NITRO™ SQD: Dual-compound nitrogen-infused foam with cushioning and responsiveness at the forefoot, plus extra stability for sideways movement. Accelerate NITRO™ and Eliminate NITRO™ both use it.
- NITRO™: The foam cushioning used in Vantage NITRO™, paired with a PWRPLATE.
- PWRPLATE: A stiff plate inside Vantage NITRO™ that gives you more energy return when jumping.
- PWRTAPE: Reinforcement around the upper of Accelerate NITRO™ for more support when you're changing direction quickly.
- PWRCAGE: Extra support through the midfoot of Eliminate NITRO™ for hard cuts and pivots.
- FUZIONFIT: The adaptive fit system in Eliminate NITRO™ that keeps your foot feeling secure.
- PUMAGRIP: PUMA's non-marking rubber outsole, used across the range for traction on indoor courts.
Best PUMA handball shoes at a glance
If speed is what you're after, start with the Accelerate NITRO™ SQD. Eliminate NITRO™ SQD has more support for pivots and backcourt players. Vantage NITRO™ is a good option if you move between positions or just want something that can do a bit of everything.
| MODEL | BEST FOR | CUSHIONING | FEEL | PRAISED FOR |
| Accelerate NITRO™ SQD | Wing and fast-break attack | NITRO™ SQD dual-compound | Fast and low profile | Grip, agility, quick direction changes |
| Eliminate NITRO™ SQD | Pivot and backcourt power | NITRO™ SQD dual-compound | Stable and structured | Lockdown, support, durability under contact |
| Vantage NITRO™ | All-round positions and jump play | NITRO™ with PWRPLATE | Bouncy and explosive off the jump | Balance, comfort, versatile traction |
Below, we cover each model in more detail.
PUMA Accelerate NITRO™ SQD
The Accelerate NITRO™ SQD is the lightest option in PUMA's handball range. It uses NITRO™ SQD cushioning for a responsive feel at the forefoot and more stability when moving sideways. PWRTAPE gives the foot some extra support through quick changes of direction.
Have a look through the Accelerate NITRO™ range to see the different options.
What kind of player are these ideal for?
Accelerate NITRO™ makes the most sense for wingers and fast attacking players. If you're quick on your feet and change direction a lot, the lighter feel should suit that style of play.
You do get less structure than you would with Eliminate NITRO™. That's something to consider if you want more support through hard cuts and pivots.
Before you buy: The Accelerate NITRO™ SQD is a speed specialist, not a stability shoe. Pivots and backcourt players will usually get more from the extra structure of the Eliminate NITRO™.
Accelerate NITRO™ also comes in a Turbo version. It swaps NITRO™ SQD for lightweight PROFOAM LITE cushioning and comes in at a lower price point. If you like the Accelerate NITRO™ but don't need the NITRO™ SQD setup, it's another option to look at.
→ Tip: Accelerate NITRO™ has a lower-profile feel than the other two models, so it's a good one to look at if you prefer feeling closer to the court.
Reviews
“Really liked how low these felt to the court. There's plenty of cushioning underfoot, but you still get that close-to-the-ground feel.”
“Didn't expect them to feel this light on foot. They move naturally with you, and I never felt like the shoe was weighing me down or getting in the way.”
PUMA Eliminate NITRO™ SQD
The Eliminate NITRO™ SQD is made for players who want more support around the foot. It shares the Accelerate NITRO™'s dual-compound NITRO™ SQD foam but adds a PWRCAGE support structure and FUZIONFIT construction for extra lockdown.
You get a more structured shoe as a result, which comes in handy when there’s a lot going on around you on court. Explore the Eliminate NITRO™ range.
What kind of player are these ideal for?
Eliminate NITRO™ is particularly suited to pivots and backcourt players. These positions tend to involve more contact, and there's often a lot of stopping, cutting and changing direction too. That's where the extra support comes in.
Accelerate NITRO™ is lighter and quicker, so the two have quite a different feel despite sharing NITRO™ SQD cushioning.
Before you buy: If you're choosing between the two performance models, Accelerate NITRO™ is the lighter, faster option, and Eliminate NITRO™ trades a little weight for more structure and control.
→ Tip: Eliminate NITRO™ SQD is probably the first of the three I'd look at if power and a locked-in fit matter more to your game than outright lightness.
Reviews
“For me, it was the extra stability that stood out. I felt much more supported moving side to side.”
“I could happily wear these for a full game. Plenty of cushioning, and they stayed comfortable the whole time.”
PUMA Vantage NITRO™
The Vantage NITRO™ is the most versatile of the three. It has more bounce than the low-profile Accelerate NITRO™, without the more structured feel of Eliminate NITRO™.
There's NITRO™ cushioning underfoot, plus a PWRPLATE that gives you extra energy return when you jump or take off. PUMAGRIP gives you traction for quick changes of direction. Check out the full Vantage NITRO™ range.
What kind of player are these ideal for?
Vantage NITRO™ is a good fit if you move between positions and don't want a shoe geared too heavily towards one style of play. It also makes sense if you're fairly new to competitive handball and haven't quite worked out what you prefer yet.
If you jump a lot, you'll get more out of the PWRPLATE too. That extra push on take-off is one of the things that sets Vantage NITRO™ apart.
Before you buy: Can't decide between the speed of Accelerate NITRO™ and the extra structure of Eliminate NITRO™? Vantage NITRO™ sits somewhere between the two.
Vantage NITRO™ also comes in a Turbo version, which swaps NITRO™ for PROFOAM LITE and comes in at a lower price.
→ Tip: Vantage NITRO™ is one to consider if your role changes from game to game and you don't want to commit to one of the more specialised options.
Reviews
“The extra push on take-off was the first thing I noticed. Jumping felt really responsive, and I always felt steady on my feet.”
“Ended up liking these for pretty much everything. What stood out to me was how comfortable they were. Even after a long session, my feet still felt good.”
PUMA handball shoes fit and sizing
The three models fit a little differently, so it’s useful to know what to expect before you choose.
- Accelerate NITRO™: Regular width with a rounded toe. The 3D-molded heel keeps things secure at the back of the foot.
- Eliminate NITRO™: The knitted FUZIONFIT upper has a sock-like feel, with customizable lacing so you can adjust the fit around your foot. PWRCAGE adds more support through the midfoot.
- Vantage NITRO™: Regular width with a rounded toe. The lacing loops give you some room to adjust the support around your foot.
Our recommendations
Still not sure which one to go for? Let’s put the three side by side.
| BEST FOR | MODEL |
| Best for speed and agility | PUMA Accelerate NITRO™ SQD Fastest, lowest-profile option in the lineup Built for wingers and fast attacking players |
| Best for power and stability | PUMA Eliminate NITRO™ SQD Most structured option in the lineup Built for physical positions and hard cuts |
| Best all-rounder | PUMA Vantage NITRO™ Balanced cushioning with explosive energy return Works across most positions and playing styles |
Conclusion
A handball shoe has to do quite a lot in one game. Quick changes of direction, sudden stops and repeated jumps all ask something different from them.
PUMA's handball range gives you different ways to approach those demands, with NITRO™ cushioning and PUMAGRIP traction running through the collection. By now, you should have a pretty good idea of which PUMA pair makes sense for the way you play.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose the right PUMA handball shoes?
Start with the way you play. If you're a winger or rely on quick movement, Accelerate NITRO™ SQD is the lighter, speed-focused option. Pivots and backcourt players may prefer the extra structure and stability of Eliminate NITRO™ SQD. If you want one balanced shoe for multiple positions, or you're just starting out, the Vantage NITRO™ is the safer bet.
Are PUMA handball shoes durable?
PUMA handball shoes are made for the demands of indoor court play, although the construction varies between models. Accelerate NITRO™ uses PWRTAPE reinforcement, Eliminate NITRO™ has a PWRCAGE support structure, and Vantage NITRO™ uses a PWRPLATE.
Which PUMA handball shoes are best for wide feet?
None of the three franchises is officially labelled as a wide-fit model. If you have a wider foot, have a look at the fit notes and size guide on the relevant product page before ordering.
Can I use regular trainers for handball instead of dedicated handball shoes?
You're better off with a dedicated handball shoe. There's a lot of jumping, pivoting and changing direction in a game, and regular trainers aren't designed around that kind of indoor court movement.
PUMA handball shoes use non-marking PUMAGRIP outsoles for traction, along with support structures that keep the foot more secure as you move around the court.
What is the difference between NITRO™ SQD and NITRO™?
NITRO™ SQD is the dual-compound version you'll find in Accelerate NITRO™ SQD and Eliminate NITRO™ SQD. It combines responsive cushioning at the forefoot with extra lateral stability.
Vantage does things differently. It pairs standard NITRO™ cushioning with a PWRPLATE, giving you extra energy return when you jump.
What are the pros and cons of PUMA handball shoes?
Pros: There's a good mix of cushioning, traction and support across the range, and the three models have noticeably different strengths. Accelerate is lighter and quicker, Eliminate gives you more structure and Vantage is the more versatile option.
Cons: None of the three is officially a wide-fit model. Accelerate gives up some structure for its lighter feel, and the more structured Eliminate carries a little more weight.
Which PUMA handball shoe is best for pivots and backcourt players?
For pivots and backcourt players, Eliminate NITRO™ SQD makes the most sense. There’s more structure around the foot, with PWRCAGE adding midfoot support and FUZIONFIT giving you that secure feel.
Wingers have different priorities. If quick movement and agility are a bigger part of your game, you'll probably feel more at home in Accelerate NITRO™ SQD.
Are there different PUMA handball shoes for men and women?
Yes. You'll find men's and women's versions of Accelerate NITRO™, Eliminate NITRO™ and Vantage NITRO™ across the range.
Does PUMA make goalkeeper-specific handball shoes?
Yes. PUMA offers handball shoes specifically for goalkeepers. Check the current handball collection to see the available goalkeeper options.
