KOBE MENTALITY 2

I know this has been reviewed far too many times already. But, better late than never. 

BEAST.

TOTAL. BEAST.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SHOE IS A BEAST.

• TRACTION

Herringbone pattern with a somewhat web design and a diamond pattern on the medial side plus a mamba logo at the heel because why not? It’s Kobe’s shoe anyway.

Traction is straight up AMAZING. It actually is just jaw-dropping. No joke. The outsole is really thick and durable.

NO SLIPPING. NO WIPING. NONE WHATSOEVER. 

 

 

(RATING: 10/10)

 

• CUSHIONING

FULL. LENGTH. LUNARLON.

The shoes feature a full-length drop-in Lunarlon mid-sole. It provides decent impact protection when coming in from rebounds.

The mid-sole provides decent comfort while playing. It certainly isn’t the best but it gets the job done. Court-feel is another great factor that this mid-sole offers.

It certainly isn’t the best cushioning set up (still better than Adiprene/Adiprene+) but it’s pretty decent. Court-feel and comfort are a bit more than average. If you want a better mid-sole for your shoes, swap it with the one from the Kobe 11 (heel Zoom+Lunarlon/full-length Zoom) or the Lebron 11 (heel Zoom+Lunarlon/full-length Zoom).

 

 

(RATING: 7.5/10)

 

• SUPPORT

As for the support, don’t expect too much. It’s just an internal TPU heel counter that’s small but enough to be noticed and provide decent lockdown.

It’s a low top and they’re basically shoes for training. You can’t really expect too much fancy features. Plus the fact that it’s a budget shoe.

If you aren’t a fan of low tops and are skeptical of the safety of low cut shoes, this isn’t the pair for you. For those who are okay with these kinds of shoes, then you should have no problems at all.

I personally don’t like low tops for the simple reason that I’ve had a bad history with those types of shoes. However, I always told myself I’d make an exception for Kobe shoes.

 

 

(RATING: 5-6/10)

 

• MATERIALS

The upper is made of Flyweave. Same as the KD 8, except that the 8’s have a softer upper unlike the Mentality’s that feels like it’s been reinforced with plastic (for durability, I guess).

The toebox is reinforced with fuse for it to be stronger and durable espcially for those players who are prone to toe drags while hooping.

 

(RATING: 8/10)

 

• FIT

Go true-to-size or half a size down (like what I did). I just wanted that snug feeling that’s why I got a 10.5 instead of my usual 11.

 

(RATING: 8/10)

 

• VENTILATION

Not bad. Not great.

It’s alright. I still think it’s better than the ventilation of the J Wall 2 Boost (which is the worst for me. Second worst is the Lebron 13 but that’s a different story).

It can feel a bit hot and cramped at times but it ain’t always like that.

(RATING: 7/10)

• LOCKDOWN

The lockdown is good. Not great. Good. It certainly isn’t the worst.

Typical cushioned tongue that goes hand-in-hand with the TPU heel counter that provides a decent lockdown on your feet. No this pair doesn’t offer Flywire for better containment since it’s on the budget shoe line of Nike.

(RATING: 7/10)

• OVERALL

This is a go-to pair. Solid traction, decent cushioning setup, decent support and lockdown, and all for a decent price. Don’t expect too much, it doesn’t offer anything fancy as I have said a while ago.

If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that you can hoop in indoors and outdoors, go get this pair. It certainly won’t disappoint you.

(OVERALL RATING: 7.5-8/10)

Questions? Comments? You know where to put them.

KD 8 “Hunt’s Hill Night” Performance Review

I’m back.

Yes.

I’m back.

Sorry for the really long hiatus. Just got really lazy to write  and I know that isn’t an excuse. But here I am with a new review of a shoe that isn’t really that new.

Here’s my review of the Nike KD 8 “Hunt’s Hill Night”.

First up.

• SUPPORT

Let’s start with the heel counter. There’s this HUGE heel counter at the back of the shoes that’s based on the teeth of a Sabretooth. If you guys don’t know what a Sabretooth is, Diego from the animated film “Ice Age’ is a Sabretooth. if you guys don’t know what “Ice Age” is, get a life.

The heel counter provides great support and lockdown. It’s so good that this low top shoe acts as if it were a high top.

I DO NOT LIKE OR LOVE LOW TOP SHOES. NEVER.

except for this pair.

I was always to afraid of using low top shoes because I’m afraid tripping and injuring my ankles (because I honestly have weak ankles). But this pair proved me wrong and actually had me trusting in low top shoes again (depends on the shoes tho).

The inside of the shoes has a decent amount of padding for better lockdown.

• STABILITY

Its main base is a full length bed of Zoom Air cushioning system that’s flat and plain which actually provides really good stability and also has great heel-to-toe transition while running up and down the floor.

• TRACTION

The traction pattern is a modified herringbone with a digitized pattern.

The material used on the outsole is soft and not that thick.

So far, I have no issues with slipping yet. Only minimal wiping is needed. Sometimes, it aint even needed anymore.

Like the other reviewers, the rubber on my sole started to fray a bit but not so much because it’s very soft. Just don’t use it outdoors.

Definitely not for outdoor use.

• FIT

Fit will always be tricky. Always fit the shoes before buying them and not just because your size because not all shoes fit the same.

I got this pair from my girlfriend as a gift. I’m a size 11, the pair she got me is a size 10.5. It actually felt better for me. Snug and tight. No issues on slipping inside the shoes. The tightness isn’t even uncomfortable. Lockdown was so much better.

The flywire at the forefoot helped lockdown my feet even more.

As for the tongue, it aint super thick but not thin either. Enough for it to keep your feet in place and goes hand-in-hand with the heel counter. 

Laces are your typical laces and nothing special or spectacular.

Also, the internal padding makes your feet feel comfortable even while running the floor.

• MATERIALS

The shoes feature a flyweave upper. The material is very flexible and also form fitting.

The toebox area is reinforced with fuse for more durability. Fuse is also used on the holes of the laces.

The design of the flyweave upper is similar to the traction pattern of the shoes. It has the same digitized pattern.

• CUSHIONING

FULL. LENGTH. ARTICULATED. ZOOM.

The shoes features a full length bed of Zoom Air units which is articulated in the forefoot for better flexibility without compromising the cushioning of the shoes.

Just like what “nightwing2303” of Weartesters.com said, you can feel the Zoom in the heel. But that’s about it. Not much in the forefoot. The Zoom is reinforced at the sides with extra plastic so that the Zoom wouldnt expand and or compress too much.

• VENTILATION

Not so much. It may seem as if the flyweave upper gives enough ventilation but it’s nothing compared to flyknit. I don’t have any basketball shoes with flyknit but I do have the Lunar 3’s which is full on flyknit which is amazing. It’s decent. The ventilation isn’t as bad as the lebron 13 or the Jwall 2 primeknit.

• THOUGHTS

Damn good shoes.

I’d honestly give it an 8/10. Some other people might not agree but it’s one of my go to shoes already. Support and lockdown are the two best features on this pair. Traction is good but I’ve had other shoes with better traction.

Cop this shoe if you want. You won’t be disappointed. Though the reviews for the KD 9 are so much better. But, I haven’t tried those yet so take my word for this pair. Cop it.

That’s it for my review of the KD 8 “Hunt’s Hill Night”. If you have any comments or questions, hit me up below.

Stay tuned for my next shoe review, the “KOBE MENTALITY 2″.

Stay awesome guys!