Our verdict
- Our top pick in best PUMA basketball shoes
Pros
- Awesome impact protection
- Top-notch ankle support
- Superior stability
- Excellent foot containment
- Reliable traction
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Durable construction
Cons
- Lacks energy return
- Not breathable
- Not perfect for outdoors
Audience verdict
- Top 5% in basketball shoes
- Top 20% in PUMA basketball shoes
Comparison
The most similar basketball shoes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 90 Great! | 87 Great! | 67 Bad! | 85 Good! | |
Price | $130 | $120 | $120 | $125 | |
Signature | LaMelo Ball | Donovan Mitchell | - | - | |
Top | Mid | Low | Mid | Mid | |
Ankle-support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Weight lab | 14.6 oz / 414g | 13.5 oz / 383g | 13.1 oz / 372g | 15 oz / 426g | |
Lightweight | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Breathability | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | Breathable | |
Outsole durability | - | Decent | - | - | |
Drop lab | 6.7 mm | 9.0 mm | 8.9 mm | 8.1 mm | |
Heel stack lab | 31.6 mm | 29.5 mm | 29.0 mm | 29.5 mm | |
Forefoot | 24.9 mm | 20.5 mm | 20.1 mm | 21.4 mm | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Firm | Balanced | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | Moderate | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Narrow | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Midsole width in the forefoot | Narrow | Average | Average | Wide | |
Midsole width in the heel | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | Decent | Bad | Decent | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Decent | - | Decent | |
Insole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Outsole hardness | Average | Average | Soft | Soft | |
Outsole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Heel tab | None | None | None | None | |
Ranking | #2 Top 5% | #20 Top 45% | #45 Bottom 1% | #30 Bottom 33% | |
Popularity | #44 Bottom 2% | #42 Bottom 6% | #41 Bottom 8% | #40 Bottom 11% |
Who should buy
We believe that the PUMA MB.02 will benefit the following folks:
- bigger players who need plenty of impact protection
- athletes who want the highest level of stability and ankle support
- fans of the star player LaMelo Ball who want to experience his signature shoe
Who should NOT buy
Based on our lab tests and the shoe's court performance, the PUMA MB.02 really lacks bounce and energy return. If that's what you prioritise in hoop shoes, then we highly recommend checking out the Nike KD 15.
And if you are someone who takes the game outside a lot, we suggest going for shoes with thicker and more aggressive tread patterns, like the PUMA Court Rider.
Breathability
This PUMA shoe is clearly not meant for sweaty games.
Its layers of plasticky mesh embraced by synthetic overlays really suffocated our feet.
In addition, when we pumped smoke through the shoe's upper, we found that the material barely allowed the smoke to pass through. Thus, we rated its ventilation as low as 2 out of 5.
PUMA MB.02 (left) vs. UA Curry 10 (right)
Shoes like the PUMA Rise NITRO and the Under Armour Curry 10 did much better in the same breathability test.
Trying to find a reason behind such a lack of breathability, we investigated the shoe's mesh under our microscope.
The PUMA MB.02 features an insanely tight-woven fabric with what appears to be TPU threads for added durability.
For comparison, here is what the mesh looks like on the highly breathable UA Curry 10 (score: 5 out of 5):
Don't be misled by the transparency of the PUMA MB.02!
MB.02 | 2 |
Average | 2.5 |
Durability
Toebox durability
What the PUMA MB.02 loses in breathability, it reimburses in durability!
Those sturdy synthetic materials have demonstrated some amazing wear resistance in our Dremel test. Having applied the tool for 12 seconds, we only drilled through the upper overlay and barely scratched the mesh. That deserves a solid 4 out of 5!
Here is what the same test did to the cheap Nike Precision 6 shoe. No wonder the MB.02 costs £60 more.
The shoe's durable upper paired with a large toe bumper practically makes it immune to toe dragging. As long as it occurs on the hardwood (outdoor use is discussed below).
MB.02 | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
Heel padding durability
We also measure the toebox width closer to the big toe, to get an idea of how pointy the shoe is.
The PUMA MB.02 has the exact same width at the toes (77.3 mm) as the average of our lab-tested shoes.
MB.02 | 4 |
Average | 3.7 |
Outsole hardness
The outsole looks just as promising as the upper.
First of all, the rubber which covers the heel and midfoot is exceptionally hard. Pressing our durometer against it, we measured the hardness at 86.5 HC - notably higher than average!
This is always a good sign because softer rubbers tend to wear out faster than hard ones.
MB.02 | 86.5 HC |
Average | 81.7 HC |
Outsole thickness
Not only is the shoe's outsole hard, but it is also shockingly thick!
Using a calliper, we measured it at 5.6 mm, which is among the thickest outsoles we've ever seen in our lab. Another outlier in this category is also a PUMA shoe - the TRC Blaze Court (at 5.8 mm).
We expect the PUMA MB.02 to last way longer than your typical hoop shoe, especially indoors.
But unfortunately, as hard-wearing as it seems, this PUMA shoe is not great for outdoor courts. The problem lies in its overly narrow treads.
We found that vigorous, multi-directional movements put too much pressure on these slender lugs as they tend to shift a lot under pressure and erase prematurely.
This is the kind of tread pattern you want to see on an outdoor-ready hoop shoe.
MB.02 | 5.6 mm |
Average | 4.1 mm |
Weight
If we hadn't weighed the PUMA MB.02 ourselves, we wouldn't believe that it weighs 14.6 oz (414g) per shoe!
It is 7% heavier than the average of our lab-tested basketball shoes but certainly doesn't feel that way.
On foot, it felt light and fast to us and never got in the way of our footwork. But we understand if you want a shoe that's lightweight both on paper and on foot. If that's the case, we recommend the following:
- Nike Zoom Freak 4 12.3 oz (348g)
- Jordan Luka 1 12.8 oz (363g)
MB.02 | 14.60 oz (414g) |
Average | 13.83 oz (392g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
The shoe also beats records in the forefoot stack height. Measuring in at 24.9 mm, the MB.02 outdoes the average by a few millimetres.
We felt like this PUMA got our back whether we landed on the heels or jumped on the toes. The cushioning was sufficient all throughout.
MB.02 | 31.6 mm |
Average | 29.3 mm |
Forefoot stack
The shoe also beats records in the forefoot stack height. Measuring in at 24.9 mm, the MB.02 outdoes the average by a few millimetres.
We felt like this PUMA got our back whether we landed on the heels or jumped on the toes. The cushioning was sufficient all throughout.
MB.02 | 24.9 mm |
Average | 21.7 mm |
Drop
The heel-to-toe drop on the PUMA MB.02 is fairly average for a basketball shoe.
Based on our stack measurements, it comes in at 6.7 mm. This means that the heel is only slightly elevated above the toes and the foot feels natural inside the shoe.
We experienced a fine balance of being cushioned yet feeling steady on the ground.
MB.02 | 6.7 mm |
Average | 7.6 mm |
Midsole softness
The primary cushioning of the PUMA MB.02 is made of compressed EVA. Pressing our durometer against the foam, we measured it at 22.4 HA. It is a little softer than average but still not in the "plush" range.
From our own experience with the shoe, it did a fabulous job protecting the feet from impact but unfortunately, it never gave anything back. Meaning, no bounce or energy return whatsoever!
We think that it might be due to the rubber carrier around the foam. Apparently, it mutes out the softness of the cushioning, making it feel dense underfoot.
MB.02 | 22.4 HA |
Average | 24.8 HA |
Secondary foam softness
PUMA did use its responsive NITRO foam in the MB.02. But here is the trick - it is only present in the form of two small units, one under the toes and one under the heel.
From our durometer measurements, we found the NITRO foam to be firmer than the primary foam. At 30.5 HA, it is 36% firmer than the compressed EVA.
We have also found from PUMA running shoes that the NITRO is a fairly durable foam.
MB.02 | 30.5 HA |
Average | 28.3 HA |
Insole thickness
The shoe comes with a standard type of insole. We measured its thickness at 5.2 mm, which is the average of basketball shoes.
MB.02 | 5.2 mm |
Average | 4.8 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
The PUMA MB.02 is one of the most supportive basketball shoes we've ever tried.
Our feet and ankles felt 100% locked in thanks to the shoe's mighty clutch. Its sturdy heel clip and strategically placed overlays made sure that our ankles weren't rolling anywhere.
Torsional rigidity
Contributing to a sense of stability is the shoe's rather stiff platform.
Because of a shank embedded in the midfoot, it takes a lot of effort to twist the shoe. It feels very dense and unforgiving. We rated its torsional rigidity as 4 out of 5.
This is great news for players who crave extra underfoot support.
MB.02 | 4 |
Average | 4.4 |
Heel counter stiffness
We found that the heel clip at the base of the foot is the primary source of heel hold in the PUMA MB.02.
The rest of the collar is not as stiff, offering some breathing room without compromising support. In our manual assessment, we rated it as only 2 out of 5, where 5 is the stiffest.
MB.02 | 2 |
Average | 3.6 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
Last but not least, the MB.02 relies on a pretty wide base to create a steady platform.
Using a calliper, we measured the widest part of the forefoot at 110.9 mm, which is only a couple of millimetres away from the average.
Wide soles are essential in helping you change directions quickly without hurting the ankle.
MB.02 | 110.9 mm |
Average | 114.6 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
The PUMA MB.02 is just as wide in the heel. Our calliper shows 91.2 mm at the shoe's widest point.
MB.02 | 91.2 mm |
Average | 90.2 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
Despite being a stable shoe, the MB.02 didn't cut back on flexibility.
In fact, it proved to be notably more flexible than the average of our lab-tested basketball shoes. It took a force of 32.2N to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle, whereas most require around 40N.
Having a flexible forefoot in a hoop shoe definitely made us feel more in control of the court when moving fast.
MB.02 | 32.2N |
Average | 39.0N |
Grip / Traction
The PUMA MB.02 works wonders when it comes to biting the court, be it hardwood, rubber, or asphalt.
Playtesting the shoe, its outsole felt very sticky and provided excellent stopping power. Until it got dusty, of course. Occasional wiping is still needed in this PUMA shoe. But it's not critical.
Size and fit
Toebox width at the widest part
Measuring the shoe's toebox at the widest point (102.6 mm), we found that it is a couple of millimetres wider than the average.
This is not enough to claim it a wide shoe but it makes the MB.02 a solid medium.
We recommend players with wide feet get half a size bigger in this PUMA shoe.
MB.02 | 102.6 mm |
Average | 101.7 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
We also measure the toebox width closer to the big toe, to get an idea of how pointy the shoe is.
The PUMA MB.02 has the exact same width at the toes (77.3 mm) as the average of our lab-tested shoes.
MB.02 | 77.3 mm |
Average | 76.9 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
It is always a nice bonus to get a gusseted tongue in a basketball shoe. Even if it is semi-gusseted as in the PUMA MB.02.
This kind of tongue is a major contributor to foot containment. We felt like our in-shoe movements were limited when shifting side-to-side in the MB.02.
MB.02 | Both sides (semi) |
Comfort
Tongue padding
The padding is very generous in the PUMA MB.02. We measured the tongue thickness at 10.5 mm which is a little thicker than the average.
It creates a cosy in-shoe feel, contributes to ankle support, and prevents lace bites from happening.
MB.02 | 10.5 mm |
Average | 9.4 mm |
Heel tab
Removable insole
If you need to use custom orthotics with basketball shoes, the MB.02 is a very accommodating option.
We found that it has an easily removable insole and enough space to fit in the insert.
MB.02 | Yes |