Not Your Average Review: Adidas Harden Vol. 1

The Adidas Harden Vol. 1 is a shoe I’ve been wanting to review for quite a while. It is a simple low cut sneaker that features neat technology and has a bold style. It is currently sold for $140 at Adidas.

Performance

The coolest part of this shoe is how its main performance features work together to make the shoe ideal for guard play. For lateral movements, changes in direction and quick cuts, the shoe’s traction and leather toe cap come in handy. The traction was designed for Harden’s specific game movements and toe cap helps keep the toes in place while allowing the upper to move more freely. The laces on this shoe were placed on the side to allow the mesh or Primeknit upper to hug the foot. This shoe also features Adidas Boost, but the boost has been placed closer to the ground which takes away some of the bounce, but absorbs more impact.

Style

This shoe gets an A+ when it comes to style, which is surprising considering its performance value. Not only are there two different upper fabrics to suit your style (mesh or Primeknit), but they are low cut making them perfect to wear with jeans. The toe cap’s bold appearance reminds me of a pottery piece that was halfway dipped in glaze. The three stripes are small and do not take over the shoe.

Overall Opinion

While this shoe is meant for the court, it can also be worn casually. Just like the bearded man himself, it excels in both style and performance. The Harden Vol. 1 is meant for guard players and if you have narrow feet, it is recommended that you go down ¹⁄₂ a size when purchasing this shoe.