The Puma MB.01 Low offers the same great performance as its higher-collared counterpart, in a low-top package.
Colorway: Grey/Grey/Teal
Release Date: June 16, 2022
Price: $120
The Puma MB.01 was a hit for Puma. It was a tremendous first signature shoe in the modern basketball era, and we’ve been wondering if it will ever get a low version. Well, the wait is over. We finally have the Puma MB.01 Low. This shoe continues the futuristic theme of making LaMelo Ball seem out of this world. He might be if what we’ve seen from the past two seasons is any indication. Regardless, he’s got the most coveted signature shoe currently available.
This is the shoe’s best feature. Puma has been nailing their rubber compounds so far, and this is no exception. The traction pattern is the same as the high-top version, so the experience is similar. The traction is aggressive and grippy and if you like noisy squeaks while you play, you will enjoy these. they even squeak outdoors.
There are only two downsides to the traction. First, the traction pattern doesn’t extend to the sides of the outsole that wrap up the midsole, which is also rounded. So if you cut or change directions aggressively (think Kyrie Irving) those portions won’t have as much grip as the sole itself.
The second issue is durability. This is important to consider if you plan on playing with these guys outdoors. The traction pattern will wear down rather quickly if you primarily play outdoors. But, for as long as these last, you’ll get an excellent grip.
The midsole is full-length Nitro-infused foam, and the shoe comes with a thick Ortholite insole that adds some step-in comfort. The setup is great. Puma was able to find a perfect blend of responsiveness and plushness with their foam.
The Puma MB.01 Low offers enough impact protection to keep you out on the court for 2-3 hours pain-free while remaining responsive. Plus, the midsole is just thick enough that you still get a fair amount of court feel as you play. The Puma MB.01 Low just has a little bit of everything: responsiveness, plushness, stability, court-feel…the best way to describe the experience is balanced.
It’s what you expect in modern basketball shoes: textiles. The front half is ripstop with thick fuse overlays, and the rear section is jersey material. The tongue is made up of an open-celled mesh with a touch of leather for aesthetics. There are no hot spots, although it’s not the most breathable setup because of how heavily-padded the insides are. If you are going to build a fully textile upper, this is the way to do it.
Fit is true to size. The shoe does run slightly narrow in the forefoot, so wide-footers should try to test them out in-store if possible. One peculiarity to note is that players with more narrow heels might have slippage issues in the rear of the shoe. The Puma MB.01 has no heel pillows so you might experience some heel slippage at first. Availability has been an issue for the MB.01, so finding them in-store might be hard, but if you have narrow heels or a wide foot, you might want to test them out before purchasing.
The support on the Puma MB.01 will perform great for most players. The support features the shoe boasts could be described as basic, but the shoe’s fit takes everything to the next level. There’s a heel counter for ankle stability and a midfoot shank plate so you don’t overtwist your feet. The base of the shoe is not particularly wide, but the proper fit can compensate for that.
The only players that might want to reach for a different model would be those that know they need a ton of support. Bigger, heavier players who like to cut a lot and have a more explosive style of play might want to go with a model designed with support in mind like the New Balance Kawhi 2.
The Puma MB.01 Low is one of the most versatile shoes out there, and easily one of the best performance basketball shoes you can find. Puma has been churning out some of the best performance models on the market, and the Puma MB.01 Low is another awesome shoe from the brand.
Your average hooper should really enjoy these. The Puma MB.01 Low is packed with performance goodies that all could be described as “goldie locks features”: great cushion that isn’t too plush or too responsive, support that isn’t too lax or too restrictive… everything on the shoe is just right.
The only things to keep in mind when picking up the Puma MB.01 Low are the outsole durability if you choose to play in them mainly outdoors, the support if you tend to need heavy-duty support, and the shoe’s availability. The shoe has been in such high demand that actually getting your hands on a pair for retail is a challenge in itself. If you have the good fortune of being able to pick up a pair, we highly suggest you make the purchase and enjoy them on court.
The Curry 3Z6 is one of the better budget models out there. With that said, there are still multiple things to improve.
Colorway: Grey/Grey
Release Date: 2022
Price: $80
The Curry 3Z6 looks oddly familiar, especially when put side-by-side with the Jordan 1 and its predecessor, the Curry 3Z5. It’s the most popular budget series for Stephen Curry, and people who don’t want to spend $160 on his flagship model look for these as an alternative. The Curry 3Z6 is not as good as the Curry 9, though it has one great characteristic, and there’s plenty of room for improvement.
The traction pattern is the same as the Curry 3Z5 and the Curry HOVR Splash. Thus, performance is identical. You get multidirectional coverage which bites well on any surface. One of the most incredible upsides to this shoe is the outsole durability. I’ve played multiple hours outdoors on the roughest concrete you can find, and there’s barely any fraying. Plus, the grooves are thick.
The cushion is full-length MicroG, the same as last year’s iteration. Like Jalique said in his review of that shoe, the foam is soft and plush, but there’s not much of it. During play, I felt it compress every once in a while. Impact protection isn’t its strength, and stability is. There’s no delay in movement at all. For outdoor play, I would recommend a maximum of 1.5 hours. Anything beyond that, I found that my knees were taking a lot of hits. Heel-strikers will also not enjoy this setup.
A lot of the comfort comes from the insoles, which are made of a PORON-like material, similar to the one found in the Nike PG 6. It will last longer than Ortholite inserts, but nothing substantial.
The mesh upper used here is more open-celled. It’s almost jersey material, to be honest. There is a fuse overlay on the toe cap for added durability. The back fourth of the shoe is leather, and more is found on the medial side. It’s good quality for a budget model. The tongue consists of a closer knit mesh, while the eye stays are some sort of cheap synthetics. Not too special, but the leather additions are appreciated.
The Curry 3Z6 is true to size for most everyone. The mesh will break in, so narrow footers may be okay going down half a size. There’s not a lot of dead space above your feet, but there is about a thumb’s width of space length-wise. As always, nothing beats trying these on in-store.
Support
It wasn’t terrible, but I feel like it became worse over time. The Curry 3Z5 had the leather panel on the lateral side for containment. Now that that’s been moved to the medial side, support suffered. I didn’t feel as well contained in intense lateral movements. The midsole doesn’t come up enough to compensate for this weakness. Arch support is also not the best, and I recommend using Move Insoles for a better experience. You can’t easily twist the shoe, so torsional support is at least decent. A lot could have been improved in this department.
The Curry 3Z6 is a decent sneaker with many possible things to improve on. Support could have been better had they kept the leather panel on the lateral side. The cushion could have been improved with a thicker slab of MicroG. Traction, however, is something I am satisfied with, especially as one who regularly plays indoors and outdoors.
The FootJoy Pro SL Sport is one of the brand’s biggest successes this year. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: there’s a reason FootJoy claims to be the #1 in golf shoes.
While the FootJoy Pro SL Sport looks rather unassuming, under the hood there’s a lot going on that contributes to an overall awesome golfing experience.
Release Date: June 2022
Price: $170
Weight: 12oz
Sizing: True to Size
The FootJoy Pro SL Sport is the most stable air jordan I’ve ever tested. The wide, almost squared-off base and rigid spikeless traction combine to provide ultimate stability.
Take one look at the bottom of this shoe and tell me you’d find yourself off balance while wearing it…there’s just no way.
In everything I did, I was completely confident that I could exert as much power as necessary and transfer all of my energy into the ground without slipping, sliding, or falling off balance. If you need something stable, the FootJoy Pro SL is the shoe for you.
Yes, most (if not all) of the golf shoes that I’ve tested are waterproofed in some way, but whatever FJ did for the FootJoy Pro SL Sport was just awesome.
I spent a lot of time in the mud and dirt while rocking these, and because they’re white, I was extremely worried about how they’d hold up. Despite this, the waterproof coating repelled all of the dirt and debris.
Any stain or dirt on the shoe was wiped clean with just a towel or my hand. The peace of mind that the FootJoy Pro SL Sport will keep you clean and dry is a win!
FootJoy has long been the most inclusive in golf…because they have so many offerings. The FootJoy Pro SL Sport fit perfectly for me, but if you’re a wide footer? They offer it in a wide version. Narrow feet are your problem? They have it narrow, too.
And guess what? They offer the Pro SL Sport in Women’s sizing too. That can’t be said for a lot of the shoes I’ve reviewed recently.
You can’t be mad about anyone and everyone being able to get their hands on a shoe that performs this well.
Okay, I’ll admit: it’s not that the cushion on the FootJoy Pro SL Sport is bad, it’s just not the same experience I had with the Fit Sporting Goods.
Both feature the same StratoLite Foam midsole, but to me, the FootJoy Pro SL Sport felt a little firmer than the Fuel. I’m going to chalk this up to the implementation because to me it seems that FootJoy cut back on the amount of StratoLite Foam on the Pro SL Sport, and opted for a beefier insole instead.
I found the StratoLite Foam to be plenty comfortable for walking, and it felt responsive throughout my swing, but it just didn’t have the same volume as the FootJoy Fuel.
If you’re one who likes good, but minimal cushion, you’re going to enjoy this one! The cushion is not bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it just left me wanting a little more.
Killer stability, solid construction, and mainstream availability are what make the FootJoy Pro SL Sport one heck of a golf shoe.
Anyone (women included) that picks up a pair of the New Balance will be blown away by the stable, solid performance, and won’t have any issues with comfort, either.
Let’s take a look at one of LeBron’s ultimate flagship performance hoop shoe releases! Presenting you the most comprehensive LeBron 17 review, updated and revisited 2+ years after the sneaker’s release.
Comfort, performance, overall build quality, value for the money in 2022 (and beyond), versatility, and durability after 6 months of indoor & outdoor action: all will be broken down.
There’s just something about these that make me lace ’em up even today…
click for a full-sized sheet image
In a hurry? Here’s the quick version: The Nike LeBron 19 will feel right at home for true fans that followed most models in LeBron’s main signature line.
The sneaker will surely fit most guys true to their usual size, including wide footers.
The traction is the shoe’s most questionable aspect as planting the foot and biting into the floor felt a weird initially.
Not the best bite either but enough to not think about it on-court.
The forefoot Zoom Air & heel Max Air cushion setup is brilliant for top-notch cushion and maximum impact protection but not everyone will like the elevated ride and less-than-stellar stability on lateral movements.
The Knitposite upper is awesome though – it’s super comfy for the foot and moves well with each move without taking away mobility or containment.
For alternatives, check out the LeBron 16 is you want something a bit more balanced, and the LeBron 17 Low & LeBron Witness 5 for your bugdet options.
> The full review is below
Do they fit true to size or should you go up/down? How comfortable are they? Anything else to know fit-wise?
Let’s start the LeBron 17 review off with the need-to-know first.
Right away after putting the LeBron 17’s on my wide-a** feet, I’ve actually found them to be extremely comfortable.
You can go true to size with these, no matter your foot shape, in my opinion. Most should expect a regular fit – not too tight, not too roomy.
Some people felt like they ran a little short but I haven’t personally experienced such a thing.
Even if you do – this build does stretch out so you’re not stuck if you feel like your toes are ramming the shoe initially. Give ’em a bit of time – let the knit do its thing.
Since the shoe’s materials consist of extremely soft knit along with some minor reinforcements, plus the padding inside and some really premium insoles (which is kind of rare these days, but hey, it’s a $200 shoe), I’ve truly found these to be as awesome of an experience as it can get, purely from a comfort perspective.
Optimal fit pretty much from day one (unless these run a bit short for you initially), foot mobility is not an issue thanks to the large form factor and lightweight materials, and the cushion. Oh, the cushion. We’ll talk about that later.
The LeBron’s are always these pretty large form factor shoes, relatively wide-based, and can be worn by just about any kind of foot shape/preference.
These ones are no exception.
Now, whether you like more compact models that feel, and are lighter, or larger, heavier models that emphasize comfort and a pleasant experience overall, that’s up to you.
But I’d say Nike definitely did a solid job in blurring this line as much as possible, while still making a tank of a shoe for a tank called LeBron James, so I encourage you to try these even if you’re used to lighter, more agile shoes like a Kyrie or a Curry model.
Does it grip various surfaces well? Is dust/debris a factor? How long will the outsoles last outdoors?
After reading some other reviews, I was a bit worried about what was going to happen in terms of the shoe’s traction.
Now despite the fact that I can’t say it was totally perfect for me, it was still better than I expected, based on what I researched before getting these, just to get a feel for some opinions from the side.
I’ve played with the LeBron 17’s inside on a wood court and outside on a synthetic rubber surface.
Inside, the shoe performed nicely, I didn’t slip and didn’t experience any major issues that would take me away from the actual game.
I do have to mention that the shoe’s grip with the court does feel a bit more sticky than straight-up grippy, which has to do with the pretty soft rubber compound of the outsole.
That’s not always a bad thing, but I’ve surely experienced better traction on some other shoes with a different traction pattern implementation. Perhaps weight distribution plays a bigger role here and a heavier player would find these to bite the court better than I did?
Also, the weird separation between two forefoot Zoom air units that you’re sitting on makes it kind of unnatural for the foot to stick to the floor at times, so you lose traction.
Once again, that might be true, or it might not. Let me know in the comments below what do you think might be the case here!
Outdoors though, while it still performed pretty much the same as inside, the rubber is pretty damn shallow and the grooves are keen to bring in lots of dust inside the pattern, so durability outside won’t be really good.
And after about 6 months of indoor & outdoor action with the shoe, not much has changed in terms of performance but the rubber has been slowly chipping away ever since the first day.
It’s good that the rubber compound is still holding the traction together and now that the grooves of the pattern aren’t as tall anymore, wiping off dust becomes less relevant as the buildup gets pushed outside easier.
Having said all that, I wouldn’t give these more than a couple of full seasons of mixed indoor/outdoor hoops at optimal performance.
If you’re an outdoor hooper yourself, see if you can find the EP version of the shoe (which features more durable XDR rubber outsoles) OR click here to check out my picks for the best outdoor shoes.
How’s the impact protection? What about step comfort and energy return of the foam? Is it stable?
A 200 dollar shoe better have some amazing cushioning for us, right? I strongly agree, and luckily, it’s exactly what we are getting here with the 17th LeBron.
We got two Zoom Air units in the forefoot area, Max Air in the heel area and there’s also a soft Phylon midsole throughout.
I LOVED this setup. It might not always be for the reason I usually love a cushion setup, but man were these fun to play in.
Yeah, these are going to be for those who want to go all out for pure cushion, bounciness, and impact protection. If you’re looking for some court feel, you’re looking to maximize movement mobility and speed, you’re going to want to skip these.
Your foot sits pretty high inside the shoe, so forget about actual court feel.
Since I’m personally an explosive player and do tend to use my legs quite a bit when driving to the basket, I always love to have some fun with something like this.
You feel you’re on clouds every time you jump and even land, and I could barely name three shoes that offer more impact protection than the LeBron 17 off the top of my head at the moment.
With that though, comes the elevated ride height and it’s something you’ll definitely notice if you’re stepping off a Curry, Kyrie, or even a Dame sneaker that’s a bit more balanced.
If you’re looking for something on the lighter side or perhaps something a bit more versatile, the cushion setups the Dame 5 and KD 12 offer are pretty damn great for that.
How much all-around security does it offer? What about the build’s stability and foot containment? Any restrictions in result?
Compared to the more classic LeBron’s shoe releases, these ones feel more modern and a bit less tank-like, as we were used to seeing.
It’s technologically extremely difficult to make a shoe with such a present cushion setup but make it equally as supportive.
While the shoe isn’t the most supportive shoe in the world, me and my playstyle didn’t feel compromised at all, which is awesome, ’cause I can feel secure and also have fun with that crazy setup.
Forefoot and heel outriggers are implemented for lateral protection, the shoe’s base is pretty wide, there’s an internal heel counter and the shoe’s fit is pretty contained, so the total support package is definitely good.
Regular footers or narrow footers might find these to be a bit roomier than a KD shoe or a Curry shoe, so lacing them up to your liking to get the most support benefits might be needed.
Overall though, I don’t think most people will find any issues in terms of the shoe’s security and support. Pair that with the shoe’s comfort and the fun factor, and you got yourself a cool little package.
What are the materials used? How well do they perform on-court? How’s the quality & reliability of the build?
Knitposite is the shoe’s upper which is basically a soft knit reinforced with synthetic Fuse yarns in key areas for additional support and longevity. The knit just by itself would likely break down pretty quickly and stretch out too much, compromising an optimal fit.
The shoe features a standard lace & tongue construction, so no one-bootie designs here. The tongue bends separately and allows for easy entry into the shoe.
There are also external heel counters in place that cup your heel section and they’re made from TPU.
Nike calls this setup Knitposite – take it as you like, but one thing I can say is that it’s a pleasant material for the foot, and truly does feel like a flagship shoe (which is absolutely not always the case these days).
Breathability was also pretty good thanks to the open-knit construction, and you will have virtually zero break-in time. They feel awesome right out of the box.
The important thing is this knit is smartly enforced with some synthetics on certain areas which makes the shoe well-contained where it needs to be, all without compromising comfort and sense of mobility that we so often lacked on older LeBron models.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still among the heavier shoes numbers-wise but once I got used to them, I really can’t say these are among the heaviest-feeling hoop shoes.
Does a Air Jordan feel faster and lighter in comparison? Of course. But the LeBron 17 never had intentions to out-feather its competitors.
If you look at it from a versatility perspective, it should feel pretty good for most people regardless of their build or playstyle.
And by the looks of it, these won’t break down on you quickly either.
I’ve always said it and I’ll say it once again – LeBron’s main shoe line features some of the most durable and well-made builds in the knit-based category. That includes the 17th sneaker even in 2022.
A full-on leather sneaker should and would outlast something like this but we’ve definitely come far with strengthening new-age synthetic materials while keeping them comfortable and mobile.
6 months of on-and-off action with the LeBron XVII didn’t get the shoe wrecked but it does look a little banged up visually. Most knit-based sneakers will look like that if you put enough hours into ’em and that’s normal.
If not for the questionable outsoles, the shoe would definitely last a while even if it’s your only pair and you’re an outdoor hooper.
But again, I don’t recommend taking these outdoors too often. Unless lashing out another $150-$200 for a new pair 1-2 seasons in isn’t something you care about.
Rounding the LeBron 17 review up: are they versatile? Who’s best suited for the shoe? Is it a good deal amongst the competition?
The Nike LeBron 17 is a mix of extreme comfort, fun, and premium. It’s a shoe that not all players or player builds will like, since it’s obviously catered towards someone who’s heavier, needs loads of impact absorption, and prefer an elevated ride.
The Kyrie line always brings up mixed feelings – some love them due to their usual low-profile design, perfectly locked-down fit, and literally unbeatable traction. While some – don’t appreciate their lack of impact absorption and lack of versatility.
Today, I’m bringing you my comprehensive Kyrie 5 review where we’ll find out if it’s more of the same formula or if we finally get to experience something different.
I’ll be discussing my personal experience of the shoe from performance, comfort, value for the money, versatility, and upgrades over the last model perspectives.
Model: Nike Kyrie 5
Build: Mid-Top
Weight: 14.8 oz / 420 g. (Size 10)
Retail Price: $130
Cushion: Phylon midsole & Zoom Air Turbo
Kyrie’s line is typical for its ultra-secure fit, very prominent support, and an overall secure feel – something an explosive, flashy guard such as Kyrie obviously needs to supplement his game.
If you’re somewhat similar and like the feeling of extreme security – this one’s a check. For me personally – I have a wide foot and went true to size. The shoe felt a bit too tight and snug for me, even after a few weeks after breaking it in.
Wouldn’t nag the shoe for that though – my feet are ridiculously wide and I probably should’ve listened to other shoe testers for their advice on going up half a size.
Regardless of my tightness issues – I can see why the shoe is praised so much for its overall fit. Lockdown and support aren’t going to be issues, no matter how hard you play.
The upper isn’t extremely well ventilated but I am sure I wouldn’t have had any comfort complaints if I would’ve gone up half my regular size.
Expect the sneaker to feel on the snug side, it’ll be a very secure, supportive, and quality experience playing.
Again – what ain’t broke – don’t fix it. Though this time, it seems like Nike wanted to go with something the Kyrie line isn’t known for. And that is taking away the classic herringbone traction pattern on the outsole.
Herringbone, especially herringbone implemented so well breaks other shoe competitors’ hearts. While the Kyrie 5’s more modern, the modified multi-directional pattern didn’t look like herringbone, it damn well performed as one.
It was great. Both indoors and outdoors. I’ve been playing a lot outdoors these past couple of summers & springs and I don’t see the Kyrie 8’s breaking down anytime soon.
I am not a big “wipe my outsole every 24 seconds” kind of guy and these didn’t require that at all.
In a nutshell, this shapes to be one of the best outdoor and indoor shoes from a traction standpoint. Bravo.
It looks to me as Nikey attempted to do something different once again, separating themselves from the standard Kyrie formula.
2018 released Zoom Air Turbo unit was used at the Kyrie 8’s heel area, along with a standard Phylon midsole to complement the foot’s overall impact absorption.
And you know how it felt this time? The same thing pretty much.
I did try to give them a lot of chances and bring out that Air Jordan 1 ZOOM unit to life.
If it would’ve been brought out of someone – it would’ve been me. I’m a very explosive player and I do abuse quick, aggressive movements, and play over the rim when I can. These didn’t help me do that too much.
Once again, not knocking on the shoe – this one will work best for lighter, below-the-rim players. Quick movements will be very well supplemented. However, beastly jumps, dunks, and large-step drives to the basket would probably need a more springy shoe for the job.
Worst case scenario, getting yourself a quality performance insole would correct the impact absorption a bit if you’re really experiencing a prominent lack of cushion under your foot.
My feet or knees didn’t hurt or anything after a bunch of games, but I would’ve liked more impact protection. Take it with a grain of salt – everyone’s different, so you gotta know how you play and what you’re looking for first.
No surprises here – brilliant support, fantastic lockdown, no matter what size you go with.
We have all the essentials implemented: a TPU heel counter, a flat heel construction for a more stable ride, plus the Flytrap strap to secure the forefoot additionally.
I had zero complaints in terms of stability and support (minus the too-tight fit, due to not going up half a size). This is how a quick guard’s shoe should protect your feet.
The upper is relatively simple – regular mesh infused with Nylon for extra durability and strength. No complaints though – you can’t call this a stand-out upper but it surely gets the job done.
I love the Kyrie line for their continuous durable shoe releases, and the 5th iteration is more of the same. I feel like this is a very great outdoor pick as well, as engineered mesh won’t break down quickly on you.
I guess if I had to point out some drawbacks for this particular build – it will take a bit of time to break the materials in for an optimal fit, especially if you got a wide or a high-arch foot.
Breathability is also not ideal but, honestly, I really don’t care. I care that the shoe is comfortable and plays well. That’s it. Just wanted to let the people know that do take these details into account.
I’ve expected something a bit different from the fifth Kyrie model. And here we are.
Despite the lack of actually noticeable change in the Kyrie formula – you can’t bash the shoe for continuing something that works. Is it very versatile? No. Are the build and materials used improved and feel premium? No.
Despite all of that, it’s still a very good performing shoe that feels comfortable, secure, and ensures all the qualities of a quick, agile guard are properly supplemented by the shoe.
If you’re a below-the-rim guard who’s quick and can’t afford any restrictions & any kind of loss in speed, this is a very good choice.
If you’re looking for a solid outdoor option that will work for you without worrying about durability – this is also an excellent pick.