NewPuma2026 Review
Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5
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Buy at WePlay Handball · €131.90 (opens in a new tab)Compare 2 shops · Prices updated on 6 November
The evolution of the model that dominates European handball. More responsive NITRO v5, exceptional SQD grip. The 2026 release for wings and backs.
Review updated on 10 July 2026 · 5/5 from users · 2 real ratings
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingBackCentre back
- For
- Men
- Player weight
- < 75 kg · 75 – 90 kg
- Level
- Advanced, Professional
We recommend it if…
- Wings who need maximum grip and lateral explosiveness
- Backs with frequent changes of pace
- Advanced-to-professional players (División de Honor, EHF)
- Players up to 85 kg who prioritise speed over maximum cushioning
- High-performance parquet or vinyl courts
Pick another if…
- Pivots over 90 kg who need maximum cushioning
- Players with wide feet who don't go up half a size
- Tight budgets
- Goalkeepers who prioritise a wide base and a low platform
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- The best version of the most popular model in European handball
- NITRO v5: nitrogen foam more responsive than any previous generation
- Exceptional SQD grip: stops dead, takes off in tenths of a second
- Perfect balance — works well for wings, backs and centre backs
- 280g: one of the lightest in its category with this level of performance
Cons
- Premium price (high-end)
- Limited colour range at launch
- Normal fit — wide feet may need a size up
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 280 g
- Drop
- 9 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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WePlay Handball
Lowest price
Decathlon
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€127.50
How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 9.5
- Cushioning
- 9.2
- Stability
- 9.2
- Durability
- 9.0
- Value for money
- 8.8
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 is the evolution of a model that was already good, and Puma has managed to improve just the right things without breaking what worked. The NITRO foam v5 has an energy return index 8% higher than v4, according to Puma, and the updated SQD pattern specifically improves grip in lateral changes of direction at speed.
What I value most as a footwear analyst is the coherence of the package: 280 grams, NITRO foam, SQD grip and a price that, while not cheap, is consistent with what it offers. The premium indoor shoe market is very tight and Puma has found its niche with this product family.
It's the model I've seen most on players in national leagues and División de Honor in recent months. In my experience, that's a more reliable indicator than any lab test. Professional players are ruthless with footwear that doesn't work in a match, and the SQD 5 is passing that test with flying colours. If you have to choose a single Puma shoe for top-level handball, this is it.
Published on 15 April 2026 · Liftados.com
Our own photos
Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 on court
Thanks to Puma for sending us the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 so we could review them. Liftados does not charge money for reviewing shoes.
On-court review
Full review
What is the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5?
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 is the fifth generation of Puma's best-selling handball model, launched in 2026. It continues the line that has equipped players in the Bundesliga, the EHF Champions League and the Spanish national team, evolving the three pillars that made it popular: NITRO cushioning, SQD grip and positional versatility. Compared with the SQD 4, the new version improves the foam's responsiveness, redesigns the upper's TPU cage for a more anatomical fit and updates the outsole pattern to optimise quick changes of direction. The result is a shoe that feels noticeably more lively underfoot without having gained weight.
NITRO v5 technology: what changes from the previous generation
Puma's NITRO foam is infused with high-pressure nitrogen during manufacturing, creating a more uniform, lighter cell structure than conventional EVA or polyurethane foams. In its fifth version, Puma fine-tunes the foam density in the forefoot — where wings and backs apply the most pressure in short sprints and jump shots — increasing energy return by 8% compared with the SQD 4, according to Puma. For the player, this translates into a less "dead" feel in the first steps of acceleration and more elastic cushioning on landings after a jump. The midsole is full-length (from heel to forefoot), which sets it apart from models that only cushion the heel.
SQD outsole: the grip that defines this shoe
The acronym SQD refers to the specific outsole pattern Puma developed for high-intensity court sports. The pattern combines dust-clearing channels with wide contact areas in the forefoot and the outside of the heel, which are the highest-load areas in handball movements. In version 5, Puma changes the orientation of the forefoot channels to make lateral braking more progressive — the heel brakes first, then the forefoot completes the grip — which reduces the risk of micro-slips during full-speed changes of direction. In tests on parquet and vinyl, initial grip is among the highest in its category, comparable to the Mizuno Wave Stealth Neo 2.
Upper and fit: technical mesh with a revised TPU cage
The SQD 5's upper uses a double-layer mesh with a more open weave than the previous generation, which improves ventilation during the final minutes of a match when the temperature inside the shoe can rise by several degrees. The TPU cage that wraps the midfoot has been redesigned with a narrower geometry around the arch, which improves lateral lockdown without creating pressure points during weight transfers. The heel counter is semi-rigid and mid-height, offering support without limiting ankle movement on pivot jumps or goalkeeper turns. Sizing is true to expectations; wide feet should go up half a size.
Performance by position: who is it really for?
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 is primarily a wing and back shoe, but its balance also makes it competitive for centre backs. Wings will appreciate the exceptional grip on sudden starts and stops near the goal, and the 280g weight that doesn't penalise attacking transitions. Backs will benefit from the stability of the TPU cage in lateral defensive movements and jump shots. Centre backs will find a very capable shoe, although one geared more towards speed than towards extreme body weight: players over 95 kg in the pivot position may prefer something with more heel cushioning, such as the Adidas Stabil Next Gen. For goalkeepers it's functional, but the wide platform of the Asics MetaRise 2 remains the benchmark.
Comparison vs Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 4
The SQD 5 outperforms its predecessor in all three measurable aspects: greater energy return from the foam (+8% according to Puma), better upper ventilation and more progressive grip in changes of direction. Its price is high-end, which somewhat lowers its value-for-money score. If you have an SQD 4 in good condition, the upgrade isn't essential for another season. If you're going to buy a Puma handball shoe right now, the SQD 5 is without doubt the option.
Price and where to buy
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 is sold in specialist shops such as WePlayHandball; you'll find each one's up-to-date price in the shop table on this page. The price will stay stable during the launch season; the brand usually starts discounting from the second quarter of the year. If you're thinking of buying it, now is the time — in the launch colours.
Liftados verdict · 9.4/10
The Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 is the best version of one of the best handball models on the market. It doesn't reinvent anything, but it perfects what already worked very well: the NITRO foam is livelier than ever, the SQD grip is still among the best on the market and its balance across positions makes it the most versatile option you can buy right now. If you play on the wing or in the back court at an advanced or professional level and have a high-end budget, this shoe is the right answer. Liftados score: 9.4/10.
Unsure about your size or position?
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Comparisons
Which one suits you best?
- Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 vs Accelerate Nitro SQD 49.4 – 8.3
- Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 vs Accelerate Turbo 49.4 – 9.1
- Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 vs Accelerate Pro 49.4 – 9.2
- Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 vs Stabil Next Gen9.4 – 9.2
+ 2 more comparisons available for this shoe
What you ask us about the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5
Is the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 worth it?
What positions and level is the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 for?
Which position is the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 best suited to?
How much does the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 weigh and what technology does it have?
What's the difference between the Puma Accelerate Nitro SQD 5 and the SQD 4?
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