I have been waiting to get my hands on these, the KB Mentality. Nike Basketball introduced the Nike KB Mentality during the Holidays making it Kobe Bryant’s third team model. I believe the first one was the Dream Season, then the Venomenon, and finally the KB Mentality. The Dream Season has been out in Asia as well as the Venomenon, however the Venomenon made its way into the states last year. Not sure why it took Nike this long to branch out the Mamba brand given that LeBron James team models have been out for almost 8 years, the Zoom Soldier and the Ambassador. To me, it’s about time…
The Nike KB Mentality brings a new flavor to the lineup as it features Lunarlon cushioning with the classic low-top silhouette. My first impression for the sneaker is quite on the good side as it feels just like the Kobe 8, yet a lot lighter. Being light means it houses less materials for the upper which ultimately means less structural support.
Depending on your build, the KB Mentality looks to be a solid performer for cushioning, lockdown, and traction as it looks to be solid. My only concern would be for those who have a bigger build and are heavy on their feet as the upper is very thin and flimsy. Not too flimsy, but definitely would be an issue during high pressure situations.
What’s great about the Nike KB Mentality is the $100.00 USD price point. It’s affordable for those who are on a budget. Also, if you have been curious on how a low-top shoe feels like on court, I suggest you cop a pair to test them out. You never know, as players usually stick to one preference; you don’t even have to play a single game in them. Just lace them up, shoot some buckets, and see how they are. I was very impressed with the shape of the collar around the ankle and how it secures the heel; very good support for the foot although the upper does need a little break in period. Unlike the Kobe X, this doesn’t have any pain during the break-in period.
Another great feature for these are the interchangeable insoles. You can remove the Lunarlon insert and exchange it with the Kobe 8 or 9 insoles. The density of the KB Mentality isn’t as dense as the Kobe 8 or 9, so switching them accordingly is beneficial. I did try the Lebron 11 insert, but it was too high and heel just didn’t fit right.
I will have a performance review in about a couple weeks so stay tuned for that. Until then, check the video above and photos below for a better look.
