Helena Frye
James Harden is an NBA basketball player known for his impressive skills and unique style of play. With his exceptional footwork and quick cuts, Harden has established himself as one of the top players in the league. To match his dynamic skills, Harden has had signature shoes designed by both Nike and Adidas. In this article, we will explore the evolution of Harden's shoe choices, from his early days with Nike to his recent signature lines with Adidas, and uncover how these shoes are tailored to enhance his performance on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shoe Brand | Adidas |
| Shoe Model | Harden Vol. 9 |
| Shoe Type | Basketball Shoes |
| Shoe Features | Adidas Boost midsole, Unique outsole |
| Shoe Colorways | Olive Metallic, Pearlized, Sun Devil |
| Shoe Deal | $200 million |
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What You'll Learn
James Harden's Adidas signature shoe line
James Harden, one of the NBA's greatest scorers and shooting guards, is known for his signature step-back three-pointers and flashy drives to the basket. In 2015, Adidas offered Harden the opportunity to create his signature shoe line, signing a 13-year $200 million endorsement deal. Harden's first signature shoe, the Harden Vol. 1, was released on December 3, 2016. While the design received criticism, it became popular among NBA players. The Harden Vol. 2 was released in February 2018, featuring a refined look and Adidas' latest performance features. The subsequent volumes continued to evolve and gain popularity, with the Harden Vol. 9 being hailed as Harden's best shoe yet.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 9, also known as "The Beard's" shoe, debuted with various colourways, including "Olive Metallic" and "Pearlized". The shoe is designed to elevate energy return and grip, enhancing Harden's unique style of play. The outsole is uniquely fashioned to stick to the court, enabling quick cuts and step-backs. The Adidas Boost midsole provides added elevation, making it an excellent choice for basketball players looking to model their style after James Harden.
Adidas Harden sneakers are built to match Harden's exceptional footwork and unique style of play. The shoes are available in a range of colourways that reflect Harden's personal style. The signature James Harden clothing line includes t-shirts, hoodies, and shorts featuring his recognisable logo, beloved by basketball fans worldwide. The logo, designed to resemble Harden's famous beard and hairstyle, is simple and fits his playing style.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 8, launched in February with the "Sculpt" colourway, was shelved with the release of the Vol. 9. The Harden Vol. 8 "After Hours" was also released, generating success before being discontinued. Adidas has yet to announce a firm debut date for the next Adidas Harden Basketball shoe. However, the brand continues to unveil new colourways and models for the Harden Vol. 9, showcasing their commitment to Harden's signature shoe line.
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Harden Vol. 9
The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 is the ninth version of James Harden's signature shoe. Harden, who is known as one of the greatest scorers and shooting guards in NBA history, signed a 13-year, $200 million contract with Adidas in 2015. The Harden Vol. 9 continues Harden's signature aesthetic language of futuristic, high-performance design.
The shoe features a mesh base with an overlapping shell that has curved cut-outs for an abstract Three Stripes motif. The midsole combines Lightboost with Lightstrike technology in a striped pattern, with the Adidas logo at the toe. A full-length torsion bar provides additional stability. The Harden Vol. 9 also features a unique outsole designed to stick to the court, allowing for hard and decisive cuts and step-backs, just like Harden himself.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 was released in at least six colorways throughout the first five months of 2025:
- December 26: Year of the Snake (purple and black) - China exclusive
- January 25: Cyber Metallic (silver and black)
- February 22: Pearlized (white and black)
- March 15: Metamorphosis (green and black)
- April 5: Hell Cat (black and red)
- May 10: Ice Metallic (blue and silver)
James Harden himself has marketed his Adidas signature shoe line by wearing unreleased colourways during games. For example, he wore the "Olive Metallic" Adidas Harden Vol. 9 against the Lakers and the "Pearlized" Adidas Harden Vol. 9 against Minnesota.
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The evolution of Harden's shoe line
James Harden is one of the NBA's most unique players, with an exceptional playing style that has seen him become one of the greatest scorers and shooting guards in NBA history. Harden's signature step-back three-pointers and flashy drives to the basket have made him a master scorer, and his footwork demands footwear that can keep up.
Before signing with Adidas, Harden wore Nike shoes for six seasons. In 2015, Adidas offered Harden a 13-year $200 million contract, and his first signature shoe, the Harden Vol. 1, was released on 3 December 2016. Although its looks were not well-received, the shoe was popular among NBA players. The Harden Vol. 2 was released in February 2018, with improved aesthetics and Adidas' newest performance features. The third and fourth volumes continued to evolve, becoming more and more popular.
The Adidas Harden shoe line is designed specifically to match Harden's unique style of play. The Adidas Boost midsole provides energy return with every stride, and the unique outsole is designed to grip the court, aiding Harden's famous hard and decisive cuts and step-backs.
The Harden Vol. 9, released in 2024, is the ninth version of Harden's signature shoe and is considered by some to be his best yet. Harden himself has teased new colourways, and the shoe is available in a range of colours that reflect his personal style.
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Harden's shoe line with Nike
James Harden is an NBA basketball player known for his exceptional footwork and unique style of play. Before his partnership with Adidas, Harden was a long-time Nike athlete, starting with his days in Arizona State and continuing through his first six seasons in the NBA.
Nike had all but created a signature shoe for Harden, but he eventually signed a $200 million contract with Adidas in 2015. Harden's first signature shoe, the Harden Vol. 1, was released on December 3, 2016. While its looks were generally criticized, it was still widely used by NBA players on the court. The Harden Vol. 2 was released in February 2018 with improved aesthetics and performance features. The subsequent volumes continued to evolve and gained even more popularity among NBA players.
Harden's Adidas signature sneaker line includes unique outsole designs that improve grip and facilitate the same decisive cuts and step-backs that Harden himself is known for. The Adidas Boost midsole also provides improved energy return on the wearer's first step. The line has been so successful that Harden was able to obtain his own logo, which resembles the letter "H" with black and white colors and details related to the basketball star.
The Adidas Harden shoe series offers the brand's most recent technology, including Boost and Lightstrike. As of 2024, Harden's shoe line with Adidas is on its ninth version, the Adidas Harden Vol. 9, which was teased with new colorways such as "Olive Metallic" and "Pearlized".
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Adidas Harden Vol. 8
The Adidas Harden Vol. 8 is the eighth version of James Harden's signature shoe line with Adidas. Harden is known as one of the game's most unique players, and his shoe line with Adidas is designed to match his distinctive style of play.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 8 features a durable bootie construction that provides a comfortable and secure fit. The shoe's foot containment and supportive structure are notable features, with reviewers commenting on the shoe's ability to provide stability and confidence during play. The shoe also offers excellent shock absorption, with Adidas' Jet Boost foam technology in the midsole providing bounce and energy return with each step.
While the Adidas Harden Vol. 8 excels in comfort and stability, some reviewers found it lacking in speed. The shoe's weight and traction pattern make it less ideal for players with quick footwork or those playing on outdoor courts. The shoe's drop, or difference between the heel and forefoot stack heights, is average at 7.6 mm.
The Adidas Harden Vol. 8 also stands out visually, with a distinctive design that some have called odd or controversial. Despite this, the shoe was included on lists of the best and most comfortable basketball shoes of the year, showcasing its performance and functionality on the court.
Overall, the Adidas Harden Vol. 8 is a notable addition to James Harden's signature shoe line, offering a combination of comfort, stability, and unique design elements that reflect Harden's one-of-a-kind style on and off the court.
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Frequently asked questions
James Harden has worn basketball shoes from both Nike and Adidas. He signed a $200 million contract with Adidas in 2015, and his first signature shoe, the Harden Vol. 1, was released on December 3, 2016.
The Adidas Harden shoes are designed for quick cuts and speed. They feature an Adidas Boost midsole that provides energy return on every stride and a unique outsole that grips the court for better traction.
As of 2024, there have been nine versions of the Adidas Harden shoes, with the Adidas Harden Vol. 9 being the latest iteration.
James Harden has a US shoe size of 15, which is equivalent to a UK size 14.5 or a European size 49.5.
