NewPuma2026 Review
Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 4
In stock at Amazon; you can see the price on their site.
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See price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)We only have it in stock at Amazon.es · Prices updated on 7 November
The most versatile on the market. Nitro foam + SQD grip for any position. Liftados' no. 1 in 2026.
5/5 from users · 1 real rating
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingBackCentre back
- Player weight
- < 75 kg
- Level
- Intermediate, Advanced
We recommend it if…
- Intermediate-advanced wings and backs
- Centre backs who prioritise speed and agility
- Players who need one shoe for everything
- Normal or narrow feet
Pick another if…
- Pivots who need maximum lateral stability
- Players with very wide feet
- Goalkeepers who prioritise cushioning over mobility
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- The most versatile on the market: suitable for every position
- Ultra-light Nitro foam with exceptional energy return
- SQD outsole: maximum grip in every direction
- Unbeatable value for money in its range
- A sustainable edition with no loss of performance
Cons
- Somewhat narrow fit: check your size if you have wide feet
- Less specific for heavy-contact pivots than the Handball Berlin
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Narrow
- Weight
- 250 g
- Drop
- 7 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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Amazon.es
WePlay Handball
Out of stock
€124.50
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See price on Amazon (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.6
- Cushioning
- 8.5
- Stability
- 8.0
- Durability
- 8.3
- Value for money
- 8.6
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Accelerate Nitro SQD 4 is the shoe I've seen most in the changing rooms of regional categories this year, and that's no coincidence. Puma has found a balance few brands achieve: 250 grams with NITRO foam and an SQD outsole at a modest price. When I was coaching at Balonmano Muskiz I saw several youth players perform in it as if it cost twice as much.
Technically, NITRO foam is the same compound used in expensive professional running models. The fact that Puma is democratising it in an indoor shoe at this price is, in my experience reviewing footwear, something you don't see every year. The SQD grip with its asymmetric pattern works especially well on short changes of direction, which is exactly what a wing or back needs.
My only objection is the somewhat narrow fit at the toe: players with wide feet or long toes may need to go a size and a half up. And the thin mesh upper sacrifices some lateral support to gain lightness. For high-level competition I'd look at the SQD 5, but in terms of value for money it's hard to beat.
Published on 12 October 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The SQD (Squad) outsole on the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 4 is, alongside Mizuno's GUM8, the best on the market for handball in 2026. The high-grip rubber compound covers a large area of the outsole with a multidirectional pattern that leaves no dead zones for traction. In our tests on parquet and synthetic courts, it scored 8.6/10 for grip (one of the highest scores in the catalogue) and stood out particularly on the explosive stops and high-speed changes of direction typical of wing and back play.
Cushioning and energy return
Puma's NITRO foam is nitrogen injected into the midsole: the result is more uniform cells and a more responsive feel than conventional EVA. The Accelerate Nitro SQD 4 uses this technology throughout the midsole with a 7 mm drop, low for handball, which encourages a more natural stance and immediate energy return. Unlike heavier models, here the cushioning doesn't absorb energy without giving it back: every step becomes propulsion. For wings who make hundreds of accelerations per match, the difference is noticeable.
Stability and support
With 8.0/10 for stability, the Accelerate Nitro SQD 4 isn't designed for contact pivots, but it does offer a solid base for dynamic play. The ultra-light mesh upper incorporates lateral TPU reinforcements that contain the foot during sharp movements without stiffening the shoe. The heel is well held and the lace-up fit is precise. Its great advantage is versatility: it works just as well for a wing who needs explosiveness, a centre back cutting through the defence or a back who blocks and then breaks on the counter-attack.
Who this shoe is for
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 4 is number 1 in the Liftados 2026 catalogue for a specific reason: no other shoe covers the full spectrum of dynamic positions so well without making any serious compromise. At 250 grams, it's one of the lightest at an advanced level. For what it costs, the value for money is unbeatable. Ideal for intermediate-advanced wings, backs and centre backs. If you have wide feet, go half a size up or consider the Accelerate Pro 4, which has a roomier fit.
Liftados verdict · 8.3/10
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 4 is number 1 in the Liftados 2026 comparison, and that's no coincidence. It combines SQD grip, NITRO responsiveness and a weight of 250 grams in a platform that works for every dynamic position in handball. The Forever.better edition adds recycled materials without giving anything away in elite performance. If you're looking for a shoe that will never hold you back, this is the answer.
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Comparisons
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What you ask us about the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 4
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