Puma Formation 3.0 Duffel Bag | Our verdict
- Puma Cozy Flip Wns best PUMA basketball shoes
Pros
- puma rebound layup lo suede mens sneakers in blackwhite
- rugrats nickelodeon puma 30th anniversary collection
- Superior stability
- Excellent foot containment
- Reliable traction
- Comfortable in-shoe feel
- Durable construction
Cons
- Lacks energy return
- Not breathable
- Not perfect for outdoors
Puma Formation 3.0 Duffel Bag | Audience verdict
- Top 11% in basketball shoes
- Top 19% in Puma Camiseta Manga Corta Run Graphic Cat
Comparison
The most similar basketball shoes compared
+ + Puma R78 Futr 374896-04 Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers 374896-04 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 89 Great! | 70 Bad! | 87 Great! | 84 Good! | |
Price | $130 | $120 | $120 | $125 | |
Signature | LaMelo Ball | - | Donovan Mitchell | - | |
Top | Mid | Mid | Low | Mid | |
Ankle support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Weight lab | 14.6 oz / 414g | 13.1 oz / 372g | 13.5 puma sky modern white peacoat | 15 oz / 426g | |
Lightweight | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Warm | Breathable | |
Outsole durability | - | - | Decent | - | |
Drop lab | 6.7 mm | 8.9 mm | 9.0 mm | 8.1 mm | |
Heel stack lab | 31.6 mm | 29.0 mm | 29.5 mm | 29.5 mm | |
Forefoot | 24.9 mm | 20.1 mm | 20.5 mm | 21.4 mm | |
Size | True to size | Slightly small | Slightly small | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Firm | Balanced | Balanced | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | |
Puma Wild Rider G NJR Sportschuhe | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | Flexible | |
puma kru t shirt schwarz | Medium | Narrow | Medium | Medium | |
Puma R78 Trek Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers 380728-04 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Midsole width - forefoot | Narrow | Narrow | Average | Average | |
Footwear PUMA Future Z 4.1 Tt Jr 106403 03 Puma White Red Blast | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | Bad | Decent | Decent | |
Toebox durability | Decent | - | Decent | Decent | |
Insole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Outsole hardness | Average | Soft | Average | Soft | |
Outsole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
Heel tab | None | None | None | None | |
Ranking | #5 Top 11% | #46 Bottom 1% | #23 Top 50% | #32 Bottom 30% | |
Popularity | #46 Bottom 1% | #44 Bottom 4% | #42 Bottom 8% | #45 Bottom 2% |
Who should buy
PUMA and Mr Doodle Adds The Mile Rider To Their Collection:
- bigger players who need plenty of impact protection
- Puma Iconic MCS Svart sweatshirt med vinklad logga
- 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 prioritize 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 Trenere Spedbarn Ca Pro Tiny Suede AC.
Cushioning
Heel stack
Just by looking at the PUMA MB.02, we knew it was among the most generously cushioned basketball shoes on our list.
Fenty x PUMA Ankle Strap Creepers.
Thicker midsoles typically work best for heavier players and we can confirm that the MB.02 is the right tool for this group.

MB.02 | 31.6 mm |
Average | 29.2 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 millimeters.
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 Launch Σφιχτός 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 | 7.5 mm |
Midsole softness
The primary cushioning of the Puma Launch Σφιχτός 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 | 24.7 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 | 27.2 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 |
Size and fit
Size
Puma Launch Σφιχτός true to size (21 votes).
Toebox width - widest part
Measuring the shoe's toebox at the widest point (102.6 mm), we found that it is a couple of millimeters wider than the average.
puma sky modern osg.
We recommend players with wide feet get half a size bigger in this PUMA shoe.

MB.02 | 102.6 mm |
Average | 101.6 mm |
Toebox width - big toe
shirt puma alpha style rosa infantil.
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 |
Stability
Lateral stability test
The Puma Launch Σφιχτός 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.
Puma White Gum.
MB.02 | 4 |
Average | 4.4 |
Puma Wild Rider G NJR Sportschuhe
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 | 3.7 |
Midsole width - forefoot
puma womens wmns platform trace l white whiteblack sneakersshoes.
Using a caliper, we measured the widest part of the forefoot at 110.9 mm, which is only a couple of millimeters away from the average.
Wide soles are essential in helping you change directions quickly without hurting the ankle.

MB.02 | 110.9 mm |
Average | 115.0 mm |
Footwear PUMA Future Z 4.1 Tt Jr 106403 03 Puma White Red Blast
The Puma Launch Σφιχτός just as wide in the heel. Our caliper shows 91.2 mm at the shoe's widest point.

MB.02 | 91.2 mm |
Average | 90.3 mm |
mens puma thunder disc les benjamins
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 | 38.5N |
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 Carian 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 | 13.79 oz (391g) |
Breathability
trainers puma rs x hard drive 369818 13 white fizzy yellow digi blue.
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)
Puma Sutiã Esportivo De Médio Impacto Elastic PUMA Rise NITRO and the Puma SF Drift Cat 8 LS product eng 1026341 Puma Mayze Quantity Clandestine.
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
Puma Teamgoal 23 Casuals!
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 Puma BMW mms Sweatshort in zwart Sale 2022 Butter Good X Puma Suede Vtg Hs Mineral Blue Black.

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 | 3.7 |
Heel padding durability
The PUMA MB.02 keeps surprising us in a good way even when it comes to such a sensitive area as the heel padding.
After 4 seconds of drilling the heel collar with a Dremel, it ended up with a mere scratch. This is way more wear-resistant than what we typically see in basketball shoes - 4 out of 5!
MB.02 | 4 |
Average | 3.5 |
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 | 81.9 HC |
Outsole thickness
Not only is the shoe's outsole hard, but it is also shockingly thick!
Using a caliper, 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 new puma rs x3 models bloomingdales (Santa Cruz and PUMA Team up for a Sick Suede Collab).
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 | 4.0 mm |
Misc
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.
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 cozy in-shoe feel, contributes to ankle support, and prevents lace bites from happening.

MB.02 | 10.5 mm |
Average | 9.4 mm |
Peanuts Serve Pro Ps 380937 01 Puma White Puma Black
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 | Carian sides (semi) |
Heel tab

Removable insole
Puma Suede Paint Splatter.
Puma Flyer Runner Βρεφικά Παπούτσια.

MB.02 | Yes |