Puma MB.01 Low Performance Review

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.

You can check out the PUMA MB.01 Low in our Best Low Tops and Best for Point Guards lists.

Traction

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.

Cushion

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.

Materials

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

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.

Support

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.

Overall

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.

Initial Impressions

What’s in the video?

In the video, Chris provides detailed information from all the usual categories, providing the in-depth information you need. He supplies expert-level opinions on the materials, cushioning, traction, support, and fit. Here’s some of what he discusses:

• Not that much lower than the mids
• Better traction on clear soles
• Translucent radial pattern outsole
• Comfortable foam plus Nitro heel puck
• Triple X support feature
• Ripstop with a plastic toe box
• Jersey material rear
• Rocket tattoo design
• Slightly different tongue
• Ortholite insoles
• Sizing recommendations

As an added bonus, our newest WearTester, Jackson, gives his thoughts on these bad boys compared to other Puma basketball models.

Let us know your opinion on the MB.01 Low in the comment section below or on YouTube or Twitter.

How to Buy the Puma MB.01 Low

The Puma MB.01 Low UFO is available now for various prices on eBay and for $120 at Champs Sports.

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