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Puma Solarstrike 4 — handball shoesNew

Puma2025 Review

Puma Solarstrike 4

8.8/10Liftados score · Wing, Back, Centre back
€74.70lowest price today, at WePlay Handball

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Buy at WePlay Handball · €74.70 (opens in a new tab)

We only have it in stock at WePlay Handball · Prices updated on 7 November

Puma's new bet: NITRO cushioning in an explosive, lightweight profile.

Fit

Who is it for?

Position
WingBackCentre back
For
Men
Player weight
< 75 kg · 75 – 90 kg
Level
Advanced, Professional

We recommend it if…

  • Advanced-to-professional wings and backs
  • Players looking for a balance of NITRO, grip and stability from Puma
  • Those who prefer the Solarstrike 4 over the Turbo 4 for its greater stability
  • Top-flight parquet courts where the 9.0 grip shines

Pick another if…

  • Contact pivots (go for the Eliminate Nitro 4)
  • Beginner-to-intermediate level (price not justified)
  • Players who prioritise the lowest possible weight (the Turbo 4 is lighter)
  • Tight budgets

Our test

The good and the bad

Pros

  • NITRO foam: light and cushioned
  • Excellent grip on court
  • Explosive profile for outside players
  • A new release with plenty of potential

Cons

  • Very new model, little user feedback
  • High price for an unknown quantity

Before you order

Sizes and fit

Fit
Regular
Weight
275 g
Drop
8 mm

Where to buy

Price at each shop

These are affiliate links; if you buy through them, Liftados may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Buy at WePlay Handball · €74.70 (opens in a new tab)

How we score it

Score by category

Grip
9.0
Cushioning
8.8
Stability
8.6
Durability
8.7
Value for money
8.6
Compare with:Accelerate Nitro SQD 4Eliminate Nitro SQD 4Accelerate Turbo 4Novaflight 2Powerbreak FF
Gorka Cabañas, autor en Liftados

Gorka Cabañas' opinion

Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados

8.7/10

Puma has got it right with the Solarstrike 4. They've taken NITRO foam, the core of their premium range, and put it into a lower, lighter 275-gram profile designed for players who prioritise speed over cushioning. The result is a shoe with its own personality within a catalogue that can sometimes be confusing.

In the technical analysis, the 8 mm drop and the NITRO midsole create a very efficient propulsion platform for a wing's shots on the run: the foot leaves the floor sooner and with more energy than in models with a drop of 10 or more. I know this not just from the lab but from having lived it in my years playing on court.

The Solarstrike 4 has a weak point in the durability of its non-marking outsole in high temperatures: in unventilated sports halls during the summer months, the rubber tends to soften and lose grip sooner than expected. It's not a critical factor for most people, but if you play in summer on hot courts, it's worth knowing.

Published on 15 December 2025 · Liftados.com

On-court review

Full review

Grip and traction

The high-traction non-marking rubber outsole of the Puma Solarstrike 4 scores 9.0 for grip, one of the highest scores in the catalogue for Puma models. The compound is formulated for indoor court sports with explosive movements and offers first-class grip on high-quality parquet. The outsole pattern has channels oriented for explosive lateral stops and take-offs from a standing position, two critical actions for top-level wings and backs. The 0.1 difference compared with the Puma Solarstrike 4 and other high-end models is marginal in normal playing conditions, but on courts heavily covered in dust or resin, more specific compounds such as Mizuno's GUM8+ may have the edge.

Cushioning and energy return

The NITRO foam of the Puma Solarstrike 4 scores 8.8 for cushioning, a result that places it among the best in the catalogue for wings with Puma technology. Nitrogen-infused NITRO foam offers greater responsiveness than conventional EVA and PWRFRAME, with energy return on take-off that's clearly noticeable in the first steps of acceleration. The 8 mm drop, somewhat lower than the handball standard, favours an active stance and propulsion from the forefoot. At 275 grams, it sits in the lower-middle part of the catalogue for shoes with NITRO foam, making the Solarstrike 4 one of the lightest options with this technology.

Stability and support

With 8.6 for stability, the Puma Solarstrike 4 outperforms the Eliminate Nitro SQD 4 (8.2) and gets close to the Accelerate Pro 4 (9.3). The ultralight structured mesh upper offers well-distributed stiffness that provides lateral support without adding unnecessary weight. For advanced-to-professional wings and backs who need the combination of lightness and support, the Solarstrike 4 is the most balanced option in Puma's catalogue for the outside positions. Sizing may vary compared with other Puma models: some users recommend going half a size up.

Who this shoe is for

The Puma Solarstrike 4 is Puma's most interesting new release for the 2025 season in the top-level wing and back segment. With NITRO foam (8.8 for cushioning), 9.0 for grip and a weight of 275 grams, it competes directly with the Puma Accelerate Turbo 4 (NITRO Elite, 9.2 for grip, 270 g). The Turbo 4 beats it on stability (8.8 vs 8.6) and grip (9.2 vs 9.0) and weighs less; the Solarstrike 4 matches its cushioning (8.8). For wings who value balance across all features over maximum specialisation in one, the Solarstrike 4 is the most complete choice.

Liftados verdict · 8.8/10

The Puma Solarstrike 4 is Puma's most balanced bet for advanced-to-professional wings in 2025. NITRO foam scoring 8.8 for cushioning, an outsole scoring 9.0 for grip and stability of 8.6 make up the most complete combination in the new Solarstrike line. If you're looking for explosiveness without sacrificing stability in the Puma range, this is the answer.

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Comparisons

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What you ask us about the Puma Solarstrike 4

What positions and level is the Puma Solarstrike 4 for?
The Puma Solarstrike 4 is designed for advanced and professional wings, backs and centre backs looking for explosiveness and a balance of grip, cushioning and stability. With an overall score of 8.8, 9.0 for grip and 8.6 for stability, it's Puma's new bet for top-level outside players who want more balance than the extreme specialisation of the Turbo 4. It's especially suited to players who prioritise the first step without sacrificing lateral security.
How much does the Puma Solarstrike 4 weigh and what technology does it have?
The Puma Solarstrike 4 weighs 275 grams and uses NITRO foam in the midsole, Puma's nitrogen-infusion technology for greater responsiveness and lightness than conventional EVA. The outsole is high-traction non-marking rubber and the drop is 8 mm, somewhat lower than the handball standard to favour an active stance and propulsion from the forefoot. It's one of the lightest NITRO shoes in the catalogue for the outside positions.
Puma Solarstrike 4 or Puma Accelerate Turbo 4 for a top-level wing?
The Puma Solarstrike 4 (8.8 overall, 8.6 for stability, 275 g) and the Accelerate Turbo 4 (9.1 overall, 8.8 for stability, 270 g, NITRO Elite) are Puma's two models for advanced wings. The Turbo 4 is more responsive, lighter and has more grip (9.2), but the Solarstrike 4 offers a touch more overall balance. For wings who prioritise the combination of all features over specialisation in pure speed, the Solarstrike 4 is the most complete option.

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