Nike Mamba Instinct
Released 1/2017, Low Top, Kobe Bryant,
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8.4
EXPERT RATING
3 reviews
8.6
USER RATING
7 ratings
Budget Kobe model provides great bang for the buck
Best Suitable For:
Meant for quick guards who want a light shoe
Price Comparison:
Available at 2 shops | Official Retail Price: $99.99
Category Performance Ratings:
Weight & Sizing:
Weight:
NA
Sizing:
small
large
Width:
narrow
wide
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
Nike Mamba Instinct |  Jordan Luka 2 |  Li-Ning Wade Shadow 5 |  Adidas D.O.N. Issue 5 |  Puma Court Rider |  Nike Precision 6 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.4 | 8.3(0.1) | 8.0(0.4) | 8.1(0.3) | 8.2(0.2) | 7.9(0.5) | |
| User Rating | 8.6 | 8.7(0.1) | 8.4(0.2) | 8.1(0.5) | 8.1(0.5) | 8.5(0.1) | |
| Best Price | $99.99 | $59.97 $130 | $119 $130 | $56.97 $120 | $67.47 $100 | $72.97 $75 | |
| Type of Cut | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | |
| Weight | NA | 390g - 410g | NA | NA | 410g - 420g | NA |
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Nike Mamba Instinct Review
Pros:
Great price
Extremely light
Cons:
Very basic support
Slightly disappointing traction
Performance of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
The Kobe Mamba Instinct is the successor of the budget model Kobe Mamba Mentality and provides great bang for the buck. This shoe is meant for quick guards who want a light shoe that is very low to the ground. Support is minimal and mainly depends on a great fit. Big and heavy players won't like the firm Lunarlon cushioning with only basic impact protection.
See all 3 reviews
Expert Reviews of the Nike Mamba Instinct:
Expert Rating: 8.4 (ranks #177 of 326)
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 #186 of 326)
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 #229 of 326)
User Traction Rating: 8.9 (ranks #150 of 326)
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 #244 of 326)
User Cushion Rating: 8.4 (ranks #180 of 326)
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 #62 of 326)
User Materials Rating: 8.9 (ranks #76 of 326)
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 #163 of 326)
User Support Rating: 8.1 (ranks #241 of 326)
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 #112 of 326)
User Fit Rating: 8.6 (ranks #169 of 326)
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 #214 of 326)
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 #315 of 326)
User Outdoor Rating: 37.5 (ranks #235 of 326)
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.
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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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