Nike Mamba Instinct
Released 1/2017, Low Top, Kobe Bryant,
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Performance Ratings
8.4
EXPERT RATING
3 reviews
8.6
USER RATING
7 ratings
Performance Summary
Budget Kobe model provides great bang for the buck
Pros
Great price
Extremely light
Cons
Very basic support
Slightly disappointing traction
Best Suitable For: Meant for quick guards who want a light shoe
Category Performance Ratings
8.3
Traction
Multidirectional pattern with soft rubber compound. Sticky on clean courts, workable on dust but needs wiping and less durable than premium outsoles.
8.0
Cushion
Full-length Lunarlon midsole with firmer setup. Low to the ground, responsive ride with decent impact protection and strong court feel.
8.7
Materials
Thin Flyweave upper with synthetic overlays. Soft, premium feel and lightweight. Short break-in and average long term durability.
8.5
Support
Snug Flyweave upper and solid heel lockdown provide stability. Minimal midfoot structure limits internal support for heavy impact.
8.5
Fit
Runs true to size with snug, no-dead-space fit and zero heel slip. Excellent lockdown but tight for wider feet.
0%
Outdoor
Very soft, pliable rubber outsole. Traction works indoors but rubber wears quickly outdoors and is not recommended for heavy outdoor play.
small
large
Sizing
Runs true to size for most players. Wide footers should consider a half size up for comfort.
narrow
wide
Width
Best for narrow to regular widths. Wide footers may feel constricted and might need a half size increase.
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
 Nike Mamba Instinct |  Adidas AE 2 |  Jordan Luka 3 |  Nike KD 18 |  Adidas Harden Volume 9 |  Nike Lebron 23 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.4 | 8.5(0.1) | 8.2(0.2) | 8.2(0.2) | 8.5(0.1) | 8.3(0.1) | |
| User Rating | 8.6 | 8.8(0.2) | 9.2(0.6) | 8.6(0.0) | 9.4(0.8) | NA | |
| Best Price | $99.99 | $129.99 | $129.99 $140 | $70.97 $160 | $112 $160 | $189.99 $200 | |
| Type of Cut | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | |
| Weight | NA | 420g - 430g | 380g - 390g | 420g - 430g | 410g - 420g | 440g - 440g |
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Expert Reviews of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Rating: 8.4 (ranks #203 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.6
January 1, 2017
This is my first pass at the Mentality, I mean Instinct line and I am pleasantly surprised. I had a hard time differentiating performance wise between the Kobe 8; both sit low to the ground with excellent traction and fit.
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8.4
January 1, 2017
At $100 you can't go wrong! A very minimal and responsive shoe for guards who don't need a lot of impact protection.
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8.3
January 1, 2017
I really enjoyed playing in the Nike Mamba Mentality. You get to enjoy a Flyweave upper and a full-length Lunarlon midsole which is perfect for all-around players.
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User Reviews of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
User Rating: 8.6 (ranks #206 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
November 28, 2023
One of my favorite shoes to hoop in outdoors however the traction didn’t hold up for too long. Wouldn’t recommend this for outdoor use just because of how bad the durability is on this shoe however performance wise its amazing outdoors. Wish I used these indoors just to have the shoe last longer. I did get these for about $65 at footlocker in 2016 though so it wasn’t super expensive and I loved how the drop in midsole conformed to my foot after playing in them.
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8.6
June 14, 2022
Traction was pretty good. Cushion was low and very responsive
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8.4
May 13, 2022
User didn't add a summary.
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Traction of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Traction Rating: 8.3 (ranks #272 of 381)
User Traction Rating: 8.9 (ranks #164 of 381)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
January 1, 2017
I found this traction pattern to work great on clean floors and on dusty floors.
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8.0
January 1, 2017
On a clean court, it's great, but you will have to wipe a lot on dusty courts.
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8.0
January 1, 2017
While it grips the floor well, the traction isn't as consistent or durable as in the Kobe Mentality 2.
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Cushion of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Cushion Rating: 8.0 (ranks #288 of 381)
User Cushion Rating: 8.4 (ranks #200 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
3
7 - Average
2
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
January 1, 2017
Even with the firmer setup, cushioning is directly underfoot so it feels good overall.
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7.0
January 1, 2017
Lunarlon cushioning is pretty firm but you feel very low to the ground.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
Lunarlon is light but gives a perfect balance between court feel and impact protection.
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Materials of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Materials Rating: 8.7 (ranks #64 of 381)
User Materials Rating: 8.9 (ranks #80 of 381)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
January 1, 2017
Overall the materials are great and give a budget shoe a premium feel.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
Flyweave is thin, strong and feels really soft.
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8.0
January 1, 2017
There is a small break-in period but after that, the flyweave materials feel natural.
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Support of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Support Rating: 8.5 (ranks #190 of 381)
User Support Rating: 8.1 (ranks #270 of 381)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
7
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
January 1, 2017
Overall support and stability is good but midfoot support just isn’t there.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
The support comes from the great fit and lockdown.
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Fit of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.5 (ranks #115 of 381)
User Fit Rating: 8.6 (ranks #185 of 381)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
5
8 - Good
3
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
January 1, 2017
No dead space side to side and very little above the foot. Zero heel slip as usual from the get-go.
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9.0
January 1, 2017
No dead space anywhere.
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7.5
January 1, 2017
Make sure these fit you perfect because support is very basic and depends on a great fit.
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Durability of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
User Durability Rating: 8.2 (ranks #229 of 381)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
0
Outdoor of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 0.0 (ranks #370 of 381)
User Outdoor Rating: 37.5 (ranks #261 of 381)
Good (100%)
1
Fair (50%)
1
Bad (0%)
5
no
January 1, 2017
The rubber is very soft and pliable so I don’t recommend these for outdoors.
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no
January 1, 2017
The rubber is too soft and shallow for outdoor use.
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no
January 1, 2017
Soft rubber will get worn out quickly if you plan to play in these outdoors most of the time.
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Width of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
very narrow
0
slightly narrow
6
regular
2
slightly wide
0
very wide
0
slightly narrow
January 1, 2017
Wide Footers may need to go up half a size.
More details
Size of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
very small
0
slightly small
2
true to size
6
slightly long
1
very long
0
true to size
January 1, 2017
Runs true to size.
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true to size
January 1, 2017
Go true to size.
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