If you’re looking for an honest review of the Puma MB.02, look no further than Zach Foot Doctor! His channel on youtube is full of incredibly detailed reviews of some of the best performance shoes on the market today. Recently, Zach provided a thorough review of the second interation of Lamelo Ball signature shoes. I couldn’t help but share it on the site. I added some comments about what I gleaned from his concise breakdown.
Puma Mb.02 Review
Upper Materials
Quarter panels view , image courtesy of Zach foot doctor videoThe MB.02 is an engineering marvel, crafted from high-quality materials for lasting durability. Its engineered mesh upper is reinforced with a shiny substance overlay, providing it with extra protection from wear and tear. Additionally, the panels and heel clips feature TPU components for an even more secure hold. Inside you’ll find plenty of foam padding for superior comfort in every step you take. Despite this, however, Zach’s Foot Doctor concluded that the dremel tool runs through its upper quickly making them great shoes for indoor use but not as suitable outdoors due to their lack of durability against toe dragging.
Midsole
midsole dissected courtesy of Zach foot doctorThe midsole of the was designed with comfort and stability in mind. It features a two-layer foam cushioning system made of Nitro foam which absorbs shock on impact but barely provides any energy return. Additionally, a compressed EVA foam layer and TPU shank at the bottom are present for further reinforcement and resistance against wear and tear. The EVA layer is thicker and more textured than usual and is mainly there for the sake of shock absorption rather than energy return as already mentioned.
Outsole
The outsole is very unique and features a mixture of different tread pieces coming together to create one complete design. It has a wet weather formula – a tire mixed with herringbone( in the words of Zach), radial patterns and the recreation of the tattoo on Melo’s ankle all in one sole. All the tread pieces have one thing in common though: they are incredibly narrow! They work great on the outdoor court but because the threads are so thin, they will wear out rather rapidly upon heavy use.
Best surfaces for the Puma MB.02
How Do The Puma Mb.02 fit?
Apparently from the reviews I read on Puma’s website, the shoes fit a bit small upon initial wear but once they are broken in ( which doesn’t take a long time), they fit true to size. So I’d be careful about going a size higher on them. My recommendation would be to stick to your size.
Pros and Cons
The pros include an outsole that allows for great traction and grip on surfaces like hardwood floors and rubberized surfaces. An additional advantage is the midsole that definitely delivers in terms of shock absorption. On asphalt or concrete, the midsole provides great stability, but these surfaces may not be as optimal for tread wear, so they may need to be replaced sooner than if used in other environments. When it comes to playgrounds, the threads and uppers may also wear out faster due to their abrasiveness. However, with proper care and usage on appropriate surfaces, the strengths of this shoe will far outweigh any negatives.
Where To Buy The MB.02 PUMA
Buy the Supernova colorway, CLICK HERE
Buy the Slime colorway, CLICK HERE
Buy Any other colorway, CLICK HERE
