Nike Kobe Mentality 2 Performance Review | TheWongKicks

It’s like a sampler dish. You get a little bit of everything. The Nike Kobe Mentality 2 has been played in and the review is here for you! If you like the original Nike Kobe Mentality, or even the Nike Kobe 8, you might want to check out the Nike Kobe Mentality 2. Check out the review below and let me know what you experienced and think of my review!

If you’re interested, you can purchase the Nike Kobe Mentality 2 HERE.

Traction: Traction was superb! I never played in the first Kobe Mentality, but I have seen a few of my teammates play in the first Mentality and you could just tell that the shoe had super great traction. The traction pattern is identically the same, but your thoughts may be, “How is the Mentality 2 though?” I can only say that it was phenomenal traction, and it holds up decently outdoors as well. Even when dust is present, the traction on the Nike Kobe Mentality 2 was phenomenal. One of the best set ups I have ever played in. Reliable, durable, efficient all can describe the traction you will receive from the Nike Kobe Mentality 2.

Cushion: Lunarlon is back at it again in the Kobe line, in both the signature and take down models. Lunarlon provides low profile impact protection with a subtle hint of responsiveness. It is similar to what you receive in the Nike Kobe 9, in terms of how it feels (my Kobe 8s feel more plush than my Kobe 9s for some reason). Priced just at $100, the Nike Kobe Mentality 2 offers a great source of cushion for guards, but forwards and centers can still play in this pair but may not receive an adequate amount of impact protection they may find they need.

A plus that comes with the Nike Kobe Mentality 2 is the ability to switch out your cushion setup for that of another drop in midsole. The Kobe 8s, 9s, and 11s all feature drop in Lunar midsoles and can all be interchanged with that of the Nike Kobe Mentality 2. Whether you prefer the pure Lunarlon that comes with the Mentality 2, a Lunarlon with a heel Zoom unit, or full length Zoom, each midsole can be placed into the Mentality 2 if you own it. Have a great time experimenting with the different cushion options!

Materials: This is the main change from the first Kobe Mentality. The first Mentality had an entire Fuse upper while the Nike Kobe Mentality 2 features a Flyweave upper, very similar to that found on the Nike KD 8. The Flyweave is backed by Fuse in high wear and stress areas for structure and support but the use of Fuse, or lack there of, was minimal. When I initially had the shoes in hand, I was under the impression that there was a good amount of Fuse backing up the Flyweave in order to keep it durable. Upon further inspection, there is a thin layer of Fuse, which backs certain portions of the Flyweave and also acts as an overlay for toe drags and containment. The materials do require some break in time, and that may be the hardest part about playing in the Mentality 2, but once broken in, you’re definitely all set to go and enjoy your time in the Mentality 2.

Fit: Snug is one word that summarizes the fit. I don’t really have a wide foot, and I went true to size with my pair. I think going up half a size would have been just fine, but I found that true to size was a bit pinching on the lateral sides of my feet. There was a pinching feeling present whenever I would make hard, lateral moves, but no other pain for the most part. Wide footers, maybe go up a full size, but for anyone interested in a pair, definitely try them on before purchasing if you can.

Lockdown was nice on the Mentality 2, and it felt secure. The materials fit close to your foot, almost like a supportive sock. My only complaint would be the lockdown around my ankle and heel; I could never quite get adequate lockdown when lacing up the Mentality 2. It’s not to a point where you’re going to come out of the shoes, but it wasn’t up to par with my standards.

Support: The shoe uses minimal materials, and therefore support is kind of a loss. You receive adequate support from the overall fit, a nice, flat stable base, and a small outrigger. The Fuse overlays help to contain your foot as well upon lateral movements. You also have an internal TPU heel counter to keep your ankle on the footbed. There is no shank plate for torsional support, but the midsole is a drop-in and should mold to your foot shape over time, providing you with stability. However, if you have a flat foot, the lack of arch and torsional support may be an issue as I experienced some pain in my arch; my feet are only semi-flat.

Overall: I’m very impressed with the Nike Kobe Mentality 2. I originally didn’t think this shoe would be something that I would keep playing in after the wear-test process, but after seeing how the shoe performs both indoors and outdoors, I believe it’s a keeper. The ability to change the midsoles is a huge plus for sure, and the materials and traction are just amazing for a shoe at the price of $100. I will continue to play in the Mentality 2 outdoors and will give updates on my YouTube channel with how they are holding up periodically. For $100, the Nike Kobe Mentality 2 is a great performer for any player at any position. If you are not satisfied with the shoe overall, then there may be something that is completely wrong because everyone should be satisfied with their purchase of the Mentality 2.