The Nike Kobe Mentality line just grew a little larger with the upcoming Mentality 3.
Not only has the Mentality line been consistent from a performance standpoint, but they’ve been listed at $100 or less with each release — and that price point remains with the 3. Tech specs have not changed as we’re still getting a Flyweave Knit (jacquard) along with the Lunarlon drop-in midsole. Traction is the one thing that may disappoint some as it not longer looks outdoor friendly. However, they look like they’re grip the hardwood in the same manor as the Kobe 11 with solid rubber outsoles — which worked much better than the translucent setups.
There is no official release date for the shoe, but as you can tell from the images below, they’re already starting to arrive on Finish Line shelves. Let us know what you think about them in the comment section and stay tuned for more information as it arrives.
The upper looks like scales, that’s pretty cool. rip the traction tho
I agree about about thr upper no doubt, but its to early to say if the traction is bad, let’s wait for the performance review ?
Traction looks like the 11’s, and the 11’s traction was pretty. . . bad.
However, I like the look of these better than the mentality 2’s.
The traction on the 11s is only bad on the ones with translucent outsoles, which is most of the elites. I’ve got the engineered mesh version, and the traction is good.
That pattern on the lunarlon midsole looks like a audio pattern. I wonder if it’s a audio pattern of Kobe saying “Mamba Mentality”.
Wish they kept the mentality 2 traction, that stuff was great.
If that pattern is using the same hard ass rubber compound as the 2s the grip on an indoor court is going to be insane…
That lunar midsole looks a little thicker in the forefoot too.
I KNOW these brands are absolutely doing this on purpose with the traction. SMH. Ridiculous. If it’s not broken, don’t mess with it. Changing an upper for design differentiation is one thing but the traction…traction? Why else?
I agree with you, but I think they have to give it a new look just because consumers just don’t get excited for a shoe unless it looks different somehow. But if the traction was great a year before, how about just making it similar? They can make it looks a bit different, but keep the basic idea of the previous shoe and make incremental improvements every year. Eventually the traction will evolve to god status.
Of course. I don’t mind changing an upper because lately this move to woven uppers has been positive but the move to skinny and shallow traction is foolish. In no way can that be perceived as better. I have Melo M8s with more traction than some of the newer stuff and they’ve seen way more miles.
and maybe thats why they make the traction shallow..in order to make the shoe won’t last long and force consumer to buy new shoes..shit marketing scheme
The upper is exactly the same with the previous model. Only difference is the outsole which uses he pattern for the Kobe 11.
Looks better than the AD.
Does finish line carry Kobe’s now ?
I kinda like these, as i dont hoop with kobes out door anyway (just the 10’s…fuse upper)
The Mentality II were a freaking steal for the pricepoint. As a mostly outdoor baller, I lament at the change of the traction set up on these.
Mentality 3 sole is more thinner than Mentality 2. performance still the same. however the Mentality 3 outer metatarsal part of the shoes is quite small, even though the length of the foot is more bigger than my feet. The width of Mentality 3 is not that good fit for my feet. I even have a thin shaped feet but still it’s kinda painful when using it. Same as the Black Mamba, my friend use to have it and he just sell it due to same issue.