NewPuma2026 Review
Puma Handball Berlin
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Buy at Handball-Store · €71.70 (opens in a new tab)We only have it in stock at Handball-Store · Prices updated on 6 November
A dedicated handball shoe from the Berlin line. Guaranteed stability and grip.
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- PivotCentre backBack
- Player weight
- < 75 kg · 75 – 90 kg
- Level
- Intermediate, Advanced
We recommend it if…
- Intermediate pivots and centre backs on a tight budget
- Second-tier teams or regional categories
- Players who need a handball-specific shoe without spending on the high end
- Those who prioritise grip and stability over advanced cushioning
Pick another if…
- Players who train every day at high intensity (insufficient cushioning)
- Advanced-professional level (the Eliminate Nitro 4 or Accelerate Pro 4 are preferable)
- Wings who need lightness and lateral explosiveness
- Players with a history of joint injuries who need real cushioning
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Designed specifically for handball
- Excellent lateral stability
- Very grippy outsole on indoor courts
- Contact-resistant upper
Cons
- Basic cushioning compared with the Vantage Nitro
- Less eye-catching design
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Weight
- 280 g
- Drop
- 10 mm
Where to buy
Price at each shop
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Handball-Store
Lowest price
Basket-Center
Out of stock
€74.93
How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.7
- Cushioning
- 8.0
- Stability
- 8.6
- Durability
- 8.8
- Value for money
- 8.5
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
Puma has been steadily building its presence in European handball, and the Handball Berlin is its offering for the intermediate segment: players who want more than an entry-level shoe but don't need (or can't afford) the premium range. With an 8.2 overall score, it serves that profile well.
The Handball Berlin's intermediate EVA is a step above the basic EVA of entry-level models: denser, more responsive, more durable. For intermediate pivots and centre backs who train two or three times a week, the difference compared with a basic EVA shoe is noticeable in both comfort and joint protection. The Puma indoor outsole's 8.0 for grip is competent for the level it's aimed at.
What the Handball Berlin doesn't have is any distinctive midsole technology: no NITRO, no BOOST, no Wave, so the proposition depends entirely on the quality of the basic materials. That puts it at a disadvantage against models such as Adidas' Stabil Sonic or Mizuno's Wave Stealth V, which offer real cushioning technology. My advice: if your budget stretches to shoes with midsole technology, the extra is worth it. If the budget is tight, the Handball Berlin is functional and decent for its segment.
Published on 28 October 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The indoor rubber outsole on the Puma Handball Berlin scores 8.7 for grip, an outstanding score for a model at its price. The outsole is designed specifically for handball (it isn't an adaptation of a generic indoor shoe), with a pattern that favours the multidirectional plants of inside positions. For pivots and centre backs who need traction on turns and wide-based stances, the Handball Berlin's outsole gives more confidence than more generic models at a similar price. The non-marking rubber compound keeps its properties on standard parquet courts and is especially effective on top-flight courts.
Cushioning and energy return
The intermediate EVA midsole of the Puma Handball Berlin scores 8.0 for cushioning, a result that places it clearly above basic EVA models but below platforms with NITRO, GEL or Wave. Intermediate EVA offers more comfort and cushioning than standard EVA, with greater impact-absorption capacity that means less joint fatigue in long matches. For intermediate pivots who don't yet have a very heavy training load, this cushioning is functional and sufficient. The 10 mm drop is standard and needs no adaptation. For players who train intensively or have a history of injuries, the Eliminate Nitro 4 or the Accelerate Pro 4 offer better protection.
Stability and support
With 8.6 for stability, the Puma Handball Berlin is the most stable model in the Berlin collection and one of the most stable in the Puma catalogue at its price. The reinforced synthetic upper wraps the foot firmly and offers adequate lateral containment for pivot and centre back movements. The upper's stiffness comes at the cost of being somewhat less breathable than mesh uppers, but for contact positions that need support above all, it's a logical trade-off. The upper stands up well to the abuse and scuffs of pivot play, with durability (8.8) that stands out positively in the catalogue.
Who this shoe is for
The Puma Handball Berlin is the Berlin collection's mid-range dedicated handball shoe and one of the best options on the market for intermediate pivots and centre backs on a tight budget. For its price, it offers real handball specificity (it isn't a generic indoor shoe), 8.7 for grip and 8.6 for stability, on a par with many high-end models. Compared with the Kempa Attack Three Contender (Kempa's dedicated pivot model), the Handball Berlin has less cushioning. For second-tier league teams or regional categories that need specificity without a high-end price, it's the right buy.
Liftados verdict · 8.2/10
The Puma Handball Berlin is a modestly priced dedicated handball shoe with genuinely good grip and stability. With 8.7 for grip and 8.6 for stability at a modest price, it offers value for money that's very hard to beat for intermediate pivots and centre backs. It doesn't have the cushioning of the NITRO models, but it more than delivers for the level it's aimed at.
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Comparisons
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What you ask us about the Puma Handball Berlin
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