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James Harden's signature Adidas basketball shoes are designed to match his unique style of play. The Adidas Boost midsole provides energy return on every stride, while the outsole grips the hardwood or any other playing surface, giving you the support needed to make hard cuts and step-backs. The Boost cushioning provides a nice balance of comfort, court feel, springiness, and fun. The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another solid performer in the Harden signature series, offering wonderful support and cushioning in a breathable and durable structure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Adidas Boost in the midsole | Elevates energy return on every stride |
| Uniquely patterned outsole | Provides more stability and elevation |
| Traction | Insane, with herringbone traction |
| Fit | Pretty good |
| Support | A little too low |
| Cushioning | Fun, springy, and responsive |
| Ventilation | Not so good |
| Stability | High heel for stability and support |
| Style | Low-cut silhouette |
| Price | Affordable ($140) |
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What You'll Learn
- Adidas Boost midsole provides energy return on strides and cuts
- Boost foam provides a nice balance of comfort, court feel, and springiness
- Traction and grip on the Harden Vol. 3 are top-notch
- The Boost cushioning is lower in the Vol. 3, making the shoe lighter
- Adidas Harden Vol. 9 is a solid performer with wonderful support and cushioning
Adidas Boost midsole provides energy return on strides and cuts
Adidas Boost technology is a product of the Adidas Innovation Team (AIT) and German chemists, BASF. It was created to unite the previously contradictory benefits of soft and responsive cushioning. The Adidas Boost midsole, which features thousands of expanded particles, delivers increased energy return with every stride. This technology was first introduced in 2013 with the Adidas Energy Boost running shoe, which paired an elastic polyurethane Techfit upper with the Adidas Boost midsole. The shoe's responsiveness and premium cushion finish signalled a new era for Adidas.
The Adidas Boost midsole provides energy return on strides and cuts, making it an excellent choice for basketball players. The Harden Volume 9, for example, is a solid performer in the Harden signature series, offering a secure upper and springy cushioning. The Adidas Boost midsole in the Harden shoes provides energy return on the first step, adding power to your stride. This is achieved through the use of Thermoplastic Polyurethane particles that are expanded to form closed cells around tiny pockets of air, resulting in expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (eTPU).
The Boost cushioning in the Harden shoes is also designed to be slightly lower than in previous models, such as the Harden Vol.2, making the shoe lighter and providing a better court feel. This lower profile also contributes to the shoe's responsiveness, as it allows for a more natural and fluid range of motion. The materials used in the construction of the Boost midsole are very soft and flexible, providing a comfortable and premium feel.
In addition to the energy return benefits of the Adidas Boost midsole, the Harden signature sneakers also offer stability and elevation. The uniquely patterned outsole provides stability on step-backs and elevation to shoot over defenders. The herringbone outsole also provides excellent grip on various playing surfaces, allowing for hard cuts and decisive step-backs.
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Boost foam provides a nice balance of comfort, court feel, and springiness
The Boost foam in the Harden basketball shoes provides a nice balance of comfort, court feel, and springiness. The foam is designed to give players a responsive and energetic ride, enhancing their performance on the court.
The Boost cushioning in the Harden shoes is slightly thinner than in previous models, such as the Harden Vol.2, which makes the shoe lighter and improves court feel. This lower profile does not compromise on impact protection, however, as the foam still provides ample cushioning for players. The Boost foam is also used in the midsole of the shoe, which gives players added energy return on their cuts and jumps, as well as greater stability when stepping back.
The materials used in the Harden shoes are soft and flexible, providing a premium look and feel. The uppers are made from a combination of knits and synthetic leathers, ensuring that the shoe conforms to the player's foot without feeling bulky. The thick and strong materials also offer great lockdown and stability, giving players the support they need to execute hard cuts and decisive step-backs.
The Boost foam in the Harden shoes provides a nice balance of comfort and responsiveness, making them a great choice for players of all positions and play styles. The shoes offer a secure fit and springy cushioning, allowing players to feel quick and snappy on the court. The traction on the Harden shoes is also top-notch, providing great grip and helping players maintain their stability and balance.
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Traction and grip on the Harden Vol. 3 are top-notch
The Harden Vol. 3 basketball shoes are designed to match the unique style of play of one of the game's most dynamic scorers, James Harden. The Adidas Boost midsole provides energy return on your first step, while the uniquely patterned outsole elevates grip to help you create separation from your defender and knock down deep jumpers.
The Harden Vol. 3 basketball shoes feature traditional herringbone traction, which works well on all courts. The traction is superb, providing a nice grip on clean courts. However, the sole has a tendency to pick up dust fast, which can lead to some slipping and inconsistent traction. Nonetheless, the translucent rubber on the sole helps to minimize dust pickup, ensuring that you can still perform at your best even on dusty courts.
The Boost cushioning in the Harden Vol. 3 is not as thick as in the previous models, making the shoe lighter and providing a better court feel. The cushioning offers a nice balance of comfort, court feel, springiness, and fun. The materials used are thick, strong, and lightweight, providing great lockdown and stability. The shoe is comfortable and flexible, with a soft and premium feel.
Overall, the Harden Vol. 3 basketball shoes deliver top-notch traction and grip, providing the stability and performance needed to execute decisive moves on the court. The combination of energy return, elevation, and grip makes these shoes an excellent choice for players looking to model their style of play after James Harden.
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The Boost cushioning is lower in the Vol. 3, making the shoe lighter
Adidas basketball shoes are designed to match the unique style of play of James Harden, one of the most prolific and dynamic scorers in the history of the league. Harden's signature sneakers are available in a wide variety of colourways, representing the look that has made him one of the game's most noticeable players. Adidas Boost in the midsole and a uniquely patterned outsole give players added energy return on their cuts, more stability on their step back, and the elevation to shoot over any defender.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 3 is an upgrade over the Harden 2, with great traction, a pretty good fit, and fun Boost cushioning. The Boost cushioning is lower in the Vol. 3, making the shoe lighter and giving the player better court feel. The materials are very soft, look and feel premium, and provide great lockdown and stability. The shoe is comfortable and pliable, with thick and strong materials that feel great on the foot. The Boost cushioning is not caged as much as in the previous Harden models, and this is the best use of the Boost foam yet when it comes to basketball. The cushioning provides a nice balance of comfort, court feel, springiness, and fun. The shoe is durable, with top-notch traction, and is perfect for players of all positions who value court feel and freedom of movement.
While Adidas Boost has been overtaken by lighter and more responsive foams, it is extremely durable and weather-resistant. Unlike EVA foams or rubber blends like Nike React that harden in freezing temperatures, Boost maintains its cushioning softness regardless of how cold it is. Adidas Boost also offers excellent resistance to cushioning fatigue. Whereas lesser cushioning materials like EVA will lose their cushioning after a few hundred miles, most Boost midsoles will outlive the shoe.
The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is another solid performer in the Harden signature series. This shoe is best for all positions prioritizing a secure upper and springy cushioning.
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Adidas Harden Vol. 9 is a solid performer with wonderful support and cushioning
The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 is a solid performer with wonderful support and cushioning. It is a refined evolution of its predecessors, building on their strengths while addressing their shortcomings. The shoe is well-padded, with dense, synthetic and textile materials. The upper is mostly synthetic, which may not appeal to those who prefer premium materials, but the design is practical and performance-oriented. The upper features a variety of finishes and textures, including a snake-inspired topcoat on the China exclusive Year of the Snake colorway. The Harden Vol. 9 is heavier than average, but its wonderful support and lockdown are worth the trade-off. The shoe has a stiff structure, which makes it harder to bend, but it becomes more flexible with use.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 has impressive traction, with a dual-zone setup that caters to the lateral movements and quick stops that guards often execute during games. However, the traction struggles on dusty courts, and the shoe may not be the best choice for outdoor basketball. The standout feature of the Harden Vol. 9 is its plush cushioning, which offers a blend of comfort and reactiveness. The shoe has a fully synthetic upper, which may not appeal to purists, but it contributes to the shoe's lightweight and performance-oriented design. The cushioning setup feels very nice, with a noticeable plushness and responsiveness. The midsole is hidden behind a double-lasted construction, and it is unclear whether it features Lightstrike technology. However, the cushioning feels great from the first moment you lace up the shoe.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 is a versatile option for guards and agile players who prioritize responsiveness, comfort, and support. The shoe has a secure upper and springy cushioning, making it suitable for all positions. The bootie construction of the shoe, which is similar to that of the Vol. 7 and Vol. 8, prevents any heel slippage. The Harden Vol. 9 has a snug fit, with a solid upper that requires some break-in, but it provides a wonderful lockdown feel and foot containment. The shoe is packed with performance-focused features that cater to the needs of guards and dynamic players like Harden himself. The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 is a solid performer with wonderful support and cushioning, making it a worthy addition to any hooper's rotation.
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Frequently asked questions
The Adidas Harden Volume 9 is a shoe in the Harden signature series. It offers a secure upper and springy cushioning.
The Adidas Harden Volume 2 has the thickest slab of Boost in the Harden line. In the Volume 3, the Boost is thinned out and only part of the forefoot is caged.
The Adidas Boost cushioning provides a nice balance of comfort, court feel, springiness, and fun. The Boost foam is responsive and springy.
The Adidas Harden Stepback 3 is not well-ventilated. It received a score of 2 out of 5 in breathability tests.
The Harden basketball shoes have been described as having "top-notch" and "amazing" traction. However, they tend to pick up dust easily, which can make them squeaky and slippery.
