Dexter’s Laboratory Puma MB.03: Specs, Price & Performance
The Dexters Laboratory Puma MB.03 answers what that button does by bringing 1990s Cartoon Network chaos to LaMelo Ball’s third signature shoe. Released on December 22, 2023 at $125 retail alongside an 11-piece apparel capsule ($40 to $125), style code 379330-01 pairs optical swirl mesh with neon lab graphics. It follows the 2022 Rick and Morty MB.01, which averages $400 on resale platforms.
- Release Date & SKU: Launched December 22, 2023 under style code 379330-01 in adult and Grade School sizing.
- Footwear & Apparel Pricing: Adult pairs retail at $125 alongside 11 matching apparel pieces priced between $40 and $125.
- Cartoon Details: Features chemistry beakers on the outer tongue, Dexter and Dee Dee portraits inside the tongue, and swirl knit uppers.
- Franchise Benchmark: Follows the 2022 Rick and Morty MB.01, which climbed from $135 retail to roughly $400 on the resale market.
What Cartoon Details Define the Dexters Laboratory Puma MB.03?
The December 2023 collaboration brings Genndy Tartakovsky’s 1996 animated series to life through layered graphics. Custom tongue badges and bright neon accents cover the guard silhouette. At the base, a hypnotic black-and-white optical swirl covers the engineered mesh upper. Neon green, hot pink, and electric orange TPU overlays slash across the forefoot like claw marks revealing bubbling lab experiments.
Looking closely at the padded mesh tongues reveals mismatched Cartoon Network Easter eggs. The exterior tongue tabs display green and purple chemistry beakers alongside LaMelo Ball’s winged “1 of 1” emblem. Folding the tongues forward reveals printed portraits of boy genius Dexter on one shoe. His chaotic sister Dee Dee appears on the opposite tongue lining asking her famous button question.
How Does the MB.03 Compare to the 2022 Rick and Morty MB.01?
Animation crossovers have consistently delivered collectible releases in modern footwear, rivaling famous sneakers in movies. In December 2023 alone, cartoon fans saw the Powerpuff Girls SB Dunk collection drop within weeks of Dexter’s MB.03. Earlier entries like The Simpsons Stan Smith also proved that 1990s television nostalgia resonates strongly with adult sneaker collectors.
Within Puma Hoops’ own catalog, the benchmark remains the February 2022 Rick and Morty Puma MB.01. That mismatched neon green and crimson debut launched at $135 retail. Strong collector demand pushed pairs to roughly $400 on StockX. The December 2023 Dexter’s Laboratory edition channeled that same mad-scientist energy into LaMelo’s third signature model. Moreover, its $125 retail price kept the pair accessible for younger basketball players everywhere.
How Does LaMelo Ball’s MB.03 Perform on the Basketball Court?
Beneath its loud Cartoon Network graphics, the MB.03 is engineered as a serious on-court guard shoe. As detailed in WearTesters’ on-court Puma MB.03 performance review, the third model upgrades traction and stability over the MB.01 and MB.02. Step-in comfort also feels noticeably softer around the midfoot. A full-length NITRO Infused foam midsole absorbs hard landings. At the same time, it keeps court feel responsive during quick crossovers.
Underneath the foot, a high-abrasion, non-slip rubber compound wraps up the medial and lateral sidewalls. That curved outrigger supports sharp lateral cuts and step-back jumpers. The breathable monomesh upper uses targeted TPU scratch-cutout reinforcements that lock the foot onto the footbed. A sculpted external heel counter and padded Achilles collar prevent heel slip during transition play.
| LaMelo Ball Signature Model | Release Date | Retail Price | Cushioning & Resale Benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| MB.03 Dexter’s Laboratory (379330-01) | Dec 22, 2023 | $125 | NITRO Infused foam ($155 – $230 resale) |
| MB.01 Rick and Morty (376682-01) | Feb 18, 2022 | $135 | Standard NITRO foam (~$400 resale avg) |
| MB.02 Rick and Morty (377411-02) | Feb 17, 2023 | $140 | NITRO foam + TPU wings ($175 – $240 resale) |
| MB.03 Toxic Debut (378916-01) | Oct 27, 2023 | $125 | NITRO Infused + scratch TPU ($140 – $190) |
What Dropped in the December 2023 Footwear and Apparel Pack?
The collaboration launched on December 22, 2023 at an official retail price of $125 for adult pairs. Grade School sizes (379339-01) dropped simultaneously at $105 retail for younger hoopers. Alongside the footwear, Puma and Cartoon Network released a full 11-piece apparel capsule. Shoppers could pick up matching graphic hoodies, tees, basketball shorts, and fleece sweatpants in adult and youth sizes.
Prices across the 11 apparel items ranged from $40 for graphic t-shirts and shorts up to $125 for heavyweight hoodies. Matching track jackets also featured full-back cartoon lab illustrations. Every garment combined Dexter’s purple lab-gloves palette with LaMelo Ball’s “Rare” and “Not From Here” branding. Releasing the entire capsule on December 22 made the collection a standout winter holiday gift.
How Much Do Dexters Laboratory MB.03 Pairs Trade for on Resale?
On the secondary market, deadstock adult pairs of the Dexter’s Laboratory MB.03 trade between $155 and $230 depending on size. Common guard sizes from US 10 to US 13 command the highest premiums because players buy them for indoor leagues. Sellers calculating net returns must factor in marketplace commission schedules before listing pairs.
“Pairing Genndy Tartakovsky’s 1990s cartoon laboratory graphics with full-length NITRO Infused foam made the December 2023 MB.03 both a collector piece and an elite guard shoe.”
Under eBay sneaker selling fees, athletic shoes sold for $150 or more carry an 8% final value fee ($16 on a $200 sale, leaving $184 net). By comparison, StockX seller fees deduct a 9% base fee plus 3% payment processing (12% total) for Level 1 sellers. Meanwhile, GOAT seller fees apply a 9.5% commission plus $5 before cash-out.
| Collection Item / Size Tier | Retail Price | Average Resale / Market Price | Net Payout (After 8% / 12% Fees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Men’s US 8 – 9.5 (379330-01) | $125 | $165 average resale | $151.80 (eBay 8%) / $145.20 (StockX 12%) |
| Adult Men’s US 10 – 13 (379330-01) | $125 | $205 average resale | $188.60 (eBay 8%) / $180.40 (StockX 12%) |
| Grade School US 4Y – 7Y (379339-01) | $105 | $135 average resale | $118.80 (StockX 12% Level 1 fee) |
| 11-Piece Cartoon Apparel Capsule | $40 – $125 | $55 – $160 resale range | $48.40 – $140.80 (StockX 12% fee) |
How Can Buyers Size and Secure Puma Hoops Collaborations?
The Puma MB.03 fits true to standard US men’s sizing with a snug, performance-oriented midfoot wrap. Internal padding around the collar and tongue is thicker than on casual lifestyle shoes. Players who wear thick cushioned basketball socks or have wide feet often go up half a size. Standard-width players can order their normal size for zero dead space.
When limited cartoon collaborations drop on Puma.com and boutique storefronts, collectors study how to bot Shopify to beat queue congestion. Using automated checkout software lets buyers run tasks across multiple boutiques simultaneously. Leading multi-site tools include Valor AIO, Cybersole, Stellar AIO, and NikeShoeBot for securing retail pairs on launch morning.
Where are Dexter and Dee Dee located on the MB.03 basketball shoe?
Printed cartoon portraits of Dexter and his sister Dee Dee are hidden on the interior lining of the padded tongues, while bubbling chemistry flasks appear on the exterior tongue tabs.
Does the MB.03 use a translucent or solid rubber outsole?
The Dexter’s Laboratory colorway combines a high-abrasion non-slip rubber tread in pink, yellow, and black with a neon green NITRO Infused foam carrier for indoor hardwood grip.
