Puma2026 Review
Puma Varion II
These are affiliate links; if you buy through them, Liftados may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Buy at WePlay Handball · €39.00 (opens in a new tab)Puma's gateway to indoor sports. Simple, functional, affordable.
Fit
Who is it for?
- Position
- WingCentre backBack
- Player weight
- < 75 kg · 75 – 90 kg
- Level
- Beginner, Intermediate
We recommend it if…
- Beginners and grassroots players who want the Puma brand
- Young people and children starting out in handball
- Families looking for brand-name quality at a modest price
- All-round use for multiple indoor sports
Pick another if…
- Players who already compete at federated level
- Those who train regularly and need real cushioning technology
- Contact positions that need specific lateral stability
- Intermediate level or above that would justify a more technical model
Our test
The good and the bad
Pros
- Very competitive price
- Light and functional
- Good for youth teams and training
- Available in kids' sizes
Cons
- Basic performance
- Basic EVA cushioning
- Not recommended for high-level competition
Before you order
Sizes and fit
- Fit
- Regular
- Sizes
- EU 36–48 (unisex)
- Weight
- 275 g
- Drop
- 10 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.
WePlay Handball
Lowest with price
Decathlon
Amazon.es
* Liftados participates in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.es. The price you pay is the same; Amazon pays us a small commission that helps us keep this site free.
Buy at WePlay Handball · €39.00 (opens in a new tab)How we score it
Score by category
- Grip
- 8.0
- Cushioning
- 7.5
- Stability
- 7.8
- Durability
- 7.8
- Value for money
- 9.3
Gorka Cabañas' opinion
Journalist. Former handball player and coach. Co-founder of Liftados
The Varion II is Puma's gateway to handball and it plays that role honestly. EVA in the midsole, basic non-marking rubber and 275 grams at an entry-level price: it doesn't try to be what it isn't, and that makes it useful for a specific profile.
That said, in my years analysing sports footwear I've seen many buyers choose a premium brand's entry-level model thinking they'll get high-end performance for less. That's not the case with the Varion II: EVA cushioning compacts with use much sooner than NITRO or PWRFRAME foams, and that translates into a shoe that starts to lose performance after 200-250 hours of use.
My advice is clear: if your budget stretches to the Solarflash III, go straight for it. The difference in performance is big. The Varion II makes sense for someone who's just starting out and wants to try handball without committing to a technical shoe. For any other profile, there are better options at similar prices.
Published on 5 September 2025 · Liftados.com
On-court review
Full review
Grip and traction
The non-marking rubber outsole of the Puma Varion II scores 8.0 for grip, a decent result for the entry-level shoe in Puma's indoor range. The standard non-marking compound offers reliable grip on parquet and vinyl courts for the level it's aimed at: amateur handball, grassroots training and a first contact with the sport. For beginners who play handball once or twice a week, the grip is more than enough. The Varion II doesn't use a handball-specific compound like Mizuno's GUM8 or Asics' AHAR, but it doesn't need one for its intended use either.
Cushioning and energy return
The EVA midsole of the Puma Varion II scores 7.5 for cushioning, a basic but functional result for the entry-level range. Conventional EVA offers passive cushioning with no responsiveness or energy return, enough for low-intensity matches and training sessions. For younger or lighter players who generate smaller impact forces, EVA is adequate. The 10 mm drop is standard. At 275 grams, the Varion II is lighter than the Select Pivot 68 (340 g) or the Hummel HB Team (310 g), making it especially comfortable for younger players. Its low weight is, along with the price, the Varion II's main selling point.
Stability and support
With 7.8 for stability, the Puma Varion II offers basic containment suitable for grassroots handball movements. The basic breathable mesh upper is light and cool, although it lacks the structural reinforcements of mid-range models. For young players with a lighter movement load and lower body weight, the stability is sufficient. Availability in kids' sizes is one of the model's strong points: it's one of Puma's most accessible indoor shoes in sizes for younger players. The model's basic durability (7.8) is adequate for a season of beginner-level use.
Who this shoe is for
The Puma Varion II is the entry-level shoe in Puma's indoor range, positioned directly against the Hummel Perfekt Cl and the Kempa Wing Lite 2.0. With 9.3 for value for money, it offers the Puma brand at a very affordable price for beginners. For parents looking for a well-known brand of indoor shoe for their children who are starting out in handball without wanting to spend much, the Varion II is one of the most balanced options on the market. It's easy to find at Decathlon and on Amazon.
Liftados verdict · 7.8/10
The Puma Varion II is the gateway to handball with the Puma brand. With no advanced technologies but with the brand's build quality and a very affordable price, it's the right choice for beginners and grassroots age groups who want Puma without spending on the mid-range. For its profile and price, it does the job perfectly.
Unsure about your size or position?
Tell us your position, weight and budget and we'll tell you if it suits you.
Comparisons
Which one suits you best?
What you ask us about the Puma Varion II
What positions and level is the Puma Varion II for?
How much does the Puma Varion II weigh and what cushioning does it have?
Is the Puma Varion II worth it compared with the Asics Upcourt 6 for a beginner?
Weekly reviews
Deals, gear reviews and handball tactics. No spam.