Puma and LaMelo Ball have been a hit duo amongst sneakerheads and ball players alike, garnering much attention for the Puma MB.01 thanks to its slick design and performance tech within. It seems the phoenix is being reborn, both literally and figuratively, as images have surfaced of another colorway for the second iteration of LaMelo’s signature line with Puma, the MB.02.
Fans of the silhouette should be pleased to hear that the same mid-top monomesh construction remains with slight redesigns differentiating this second model from the original. Appearing in a tonal sail and gold look, the aforementioned monomesh remains, though it looks to be even more breathable than the MB.01. Overlays throughout mimic the wings of a phoenix with the lateral and medial side differing in terms of material used for said wings, a fused plastic and a vinyl-like print respectively.
The full logo appears on the tongue and heel of the midsole while Puma and Melo co-branding is present on the spine of the heel. Down on the sole unit, the criss-cross plastic strip design disappears in favor of a molded midsole, likely home to a full-length Nitro Foam cushioning system. Rounding out the design is the reworked rubber outsole, sticking to a herringbone traction pattern instead of the original MB’s multi-directional pattern.
The Puma MB.02 is set to arrive at the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023, coinciding with the upcoming NBA season, through Puma and select retailers online and in-store. As of now, pricing information is TBA. For updates on Melo and Puma’s upcoming second model, keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Puma MB.02 "Sail"
Images via spicychickenwings
