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Another brilliant signature shoe line that people have to look at is the Harden line from Adidas. Adidas made a smart move by establishing a contract with James Harden, since he is known for being such an amazing player and could really spike up the profit in terms of Adidas’ market.
Before Harden even accepted the offer made by Adidas, he previously had a partnership with Nike. His long-time Nike days transpired for a span of six seasons throughout his NBA career. He had a variety of shoes like the Hyperdunk, and Hyperfuse, Run the One, and the Lunar Hypergamer.
Around the year 2016, specifically in the month of December, Harden’s first signature shoe was released. This particular shoe was widely used in the NBA courts by varying athletes. Then, the Harden Vol.2 was released after two years in February 2018 and jam packed with new tech from Adidas. That’s the fruitful beginning for Harden’s shoe line and currently he now has 12 different shoe models with the help of Adidas.
In a general sense, a lot of consumers really liked the Harden shoe line. They love the features the shoe line brings on the table, the traction, excellent cushioning, and overall performance is hard not to love. We’ll cover more about this shoe line as we go along the article.
This is why we are gladly introducing you to our review of the Harden Vol.3! You may scroll down further to see a more detailed review of the shoe.
Before we actually dig into the details regarding the Harden Vol.3, we’re going to tackle a little bit on the three-striped brand’s contract with James Harden.
Overview Of The Adidas Harden Vol.3
Harden Vol.3 by Adidas
- 4.7/5 rating
- Top: Low
- Signature: James Harden
- Lockdown: Lace-Up
- Weight: 390g
- Colorways: Black, Blue, Gold, Green, Grey, White
- Released: 2019
Adidas: Harden Vol.3 Review
Dame 5 by Adidas
4.7/5 Overall Rating
Pros:
Among all the other Harden models, the Harden Vol.3 is considered to be the best one The solid rubber outsole of the shoe barely attracts any dust The large heel tab on the rear area of the shoe makes it easier to put on These are very lightweight shoes The thickness of the midsole is adequate enough to provide enough court feel and responsiveness This low-top basketball shoe requires minimal break-in time The leather and leather pull tabs and textile upper makes the shoe feel and appear more premium A lot of people love the style and design on the Harden Vol.3
Some have claimed that this shoe is not suitable for outdoor use because the grooves on the outsole is soft, and will therefore wear easily when used outdoorsHeavy players are advised against using this shoe because the Boost midsole doesn’t provide enough impact protectionThe insoles are quite thin so some people complain that they can directly feel the strobel board beneath their feet The elastic band on the forefoot area doesn’t add up to the lockdown of the shoe at all
What do most people think of this product?
James Harden initially has his fair share of love for low-top basketball shoes, hence, he created his third signature model. Rashad Williams, the designer of the Harden shoe, produced its design around the time when Harden received the MVP Award in the year 2018. The design itself is inspired by NASA. The Harden Vol.3 features a full-length Boost midsole, and this is considered to be Adidas’ most responsive tech. The traction pattern on the midsole is the standard and well-known herringbone pattern which is known to perform greatly on any type of surface. For superb comfort, a Flyknit upper is used for flexibility and durability.
Cushioning
The excellent responsiveness that a lot of users seem to love all originates from the full-length Boost midsole. The foam tech on this shoe is more exposed compared to its predecessor which makes it a whole lot more bouncier, especially when players land hard on the floor. There’s only minimal coverage on the lateral side of the shoe, so that makes the Boost on the forefoot deliver more court feel to the player.
Traction
The outsole can either be a solid or translucent outsole rubber and this’ll depend on what type of colorway you would be choosing. It’s advised that this shoe would only be used indoors since the grooves on the outsole are soft, which makes it susceptible to wear and tear especially in outdoor courts. The rubber outsole makes use of a full-length herringbone pattern which is known for its superb grip. It also enables players to perform quick cuts and change the direction of their movements swiftly.
The only downside in terms of traction are the tightly spaced herringbone patterns. This’ll make it hard for people to always wipe off the dirt that has gathered on the sole. So constant wiping will occur, especially if the shoe is used outdoors.
Fit
The silhouette of the shoe looks narrow once you take it out of the box and it has a snug fit to it. Once the break-in time passes, the material stretches and it gives the shoe a one-to-one fit. For those people who already own a pair of Harden Vol.2s, you can order the same size for the Harden Vol.3. So for those users who have wide feet, it’s recommended for them to try on their shoes in physical stores.
Lockdown
The Harden Vol.3 utilizes a traditional lacing system for securing the feet inside the shoe. For additional lockdown, it features a stretchable band on the forefoot area.
Materials
The upper on this shoe is made out of Flyknit. These are great for offering flexibility and breathable comfort for any movement done by the player. A fuse overlay is placed on the forefoot for added durability.
Support
The parts of the shoe work hand in hand in order to provide the player with complete support. The upper that wraps around the foot and the internal heel counter help with stability. The base of the shoe is flat and stable and the torsion spring plate runs from the heel to the forefoot and that in itself is enough to give decent support.
Conclusion
Overall, there seems to be a mass of mixed reactions when it comes to this shoe. Some say that the appearance of the shoe looks good while others say it’s a complete letdown. In terms of usability outdoors, I advise against it since the grooves on the outsole are soft and will therefore wear easily. Nonetheless, the Harden Vol.3 is still an incredible shoe and it really performs well. Tons of people have and still are enjoying these signature shoes manufactured and designed by Adidas. Plus, these pair of shoes can be bought at a reasonable price point too!
Confused? Here’s How To Choose The Right Basketball Shoe For You
Fit
We consider this to be the most important factor in choosing the right pair of shoes. Even though the shoes you want look good, if they don’t fit you properly then there’s really no sense in purchasing it. It’ll make you unhappy and you’d be wasting your money on a pair that you can’t even comfortably wear on the court. Basketball is a very demanding sport and it requires your whole foot to function properly in order to play well. Shoes that don’t fit you will damage your feet, ankles, and knees. So in order to prevent injuries from happening then consider fitting the shoes first and then buy them.
If the shoes are too loose then you’re susceptible to twisted ankles and a damaged knee. A shoe that’s too tight on the other hand will result in injury on the toes. We highly recommend that you purchase a pair of basketball shoes in person rather than buying them online. This gives you a more accurate fitting and you can test them by walking and jumping in the store.
Durability
Buying a pair of shoes that will last a long time is an ideal thing. Serious ballers need a shoe that can withstand the demands of the sport. In basketball, seasons last months, and if your shoe is made out of cheap materials then expect to have a lot of foot and knee injuries. As we’ve said, looks aren’t always everything. Your shoe may look badass and give that swag vibe but the question is, are they made of durable materials? Looks won’t take you far when it comes to a heated game so be wary of that. Shoes become less safe as time goes by, the initial benefits you get from the shoe such as the fit, support, and the absorption begin to fade. When you decide to cop another pair of shoes, make sure to buy durable ones.
One good material we would recommend you check out is Nike’s new and improved version of the FlyKnit: the BattleKnit. This material gives a nice hug on foot but it doesn’t restrict your movements as it offers flexibility and it moves with the foot for an explosive and excellent response.
Traction
This talks about the grip on the sole of your shoes. This plays a big factor for a player when playing on the court. You’ll notice the difference in your performance if your shoes don’t have the right traction. Traction is responsible for giving you acceleration to your speed. This makes you move quickly in-court as well as giving stability in your stance. The absence of traction would ultimately mean no speed, power, and agility.
Support
The key to searching for a pair of shoes is finding the perfect balance between support and movement. You have to make sure that the ankle has enough room to move, so look for shoes that don’t have overbearing ankle support. We recommend you purchase athletic tape since this is the best way to add support to your ankles.
Comfort
If you want to make sure that the shoes you’re going for provide comfort, it’s best to fit them in person rather than taking your chances through online shopping. Comfort is an essential factor you must take seriously because if you wear uncomfortable shoes during the game, it’s going to take our mind off of playing because of how bad it feels on your foot. We all know that basketball requires 100% of the player’s focus, so keep in mind the comfort that you’ll get from your pair of shoes.
Price
The price tag is everything when it comes to buying the right pair of shoes. Inexpensive shoes are commonly thought to equate to poor quality. While that may be the case sometimes, the same concept applies to expensive shoes. Pricey shoes don’t always mean that they perform super well. The majority of these high-end shoes are priced like this because they were made by iconic people and the purpose behind the existence of these shoes is mainly for a status symbol rather than actually using it for sports, specifically basketball.
You can still find great shoes at a decent price point or you can also invest in expensive ones, just make sure they fit you well, provide enough traction, have good durability, support, and give a comfortable snug on your foot.
