The adidas Harden signature line is becoming consistently good. Continue reading below for an in-depth adidas Harden Vol. 7 performance review.
After a lackluster performance in 2021, the adidas Harden signature line bounced back in a big way the next year. The adidas Harden Vol. 6 became one of the most well-balanced basketball shoes in 2022, thanks to a vastly improved cushioning setup and a grippy outsole.
However, consistency is something that the Harden line has struggled with in recent years, so let’s see if their 2023 iteration can continue their success from the past year. Let’s find out through this Dribble Media adidas Harden Vol. 7 performance review. Take a look!
Materials
It may look like a quilted coat but the adidas Harden Vol. 7 works
The aesthetics in the Harden Vol. 7 look….different. Or maybe not? There is quite a resemblance with the first Kobe shoes that adidas launched during the early years of Kobe Bryant’s career, at least in the appearance of the uppers.
The uppers of the adidas Harden Vol. 7 may look like a puffer jacket or a quilted coat, but these materials actually work. The setup appears bulky but provides much support, containment, and even comfort. However, the Harden Vol.7’s uppers aren’t that breathable, so you’ll feel heat accumulate when you play.
The material on the forefoot is quite thin, but it easily conforms to your foot and offers lots of forefoot flex. Overall, this was an excellent uppers setup for the adidas Harden Vol. 7.
Traction
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 goes multi-directional with two traction patterns
The Harden Vol. 6 surprised many with its top-tier traction performance, and it was even more amazing that it performed better on outdoor courts. With how well the outsole performed in the previous iteration, adidas had an enormous pressure to follow through. And boy, they did.
The outsole of the adidas Harden Vol. 7 will cover your every movement — literally. It has two traction patterns, namely the radial pattern from the heel up, then two pods of herringbone pattern on the forefoot.
The multi-directional traction patterns on the Harden Vol. 7 will give you tremendous grip on every direction you choose, whether on a side-by-side movement or a hard stop following a forward stride. It performs very well on both indoor and outdoor courts, although it easily picks up dust outdoors.
For the second straight year, the Harden signature line flaunts a phenomenal outsole setup.
Cushion and Support
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 returns to a dual cushion setup
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 boasts two types of cushioning units. There’s the Boost unit on the heel portion, then the Lightstrike unit on the midfoot extending to the forefoot. The Boost cushion on the heel offers tremendous support on heel-dominant strides, giving you an additional burst as you lunge forward.
However, the Lightstrike setup on the midfoot and forefoot isn’t the best out there, particularly in terms of impact protection. It also won’t give you that springy feeling when you jump, something that could be a deal-breaker for vertical athletes.
As for support and containment, the uppers on the Harden Vol. 7 will do the trick. You could immediately feel the thick padding on the uppers as soon as you step into the shoe, and this material will help contain your foot on hard stops and quick direction shifts.
Size and Fitting
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 goes true to size
The fit on the adidas Harden Vol. 7 goes true to size, so it’s recommended that wide-footed players should go half a size up. The forefoot may be a bit narrow, although the step-in comfort is really good.
As you make your decision on buying the shoe or not, you should also consider the lacing system on the Harden Vol. 7. The internal lacing system leaves little room for adjustment, which means that it could be relatively tight when you lace it up.
Before you buy the pair, we recommend trying it out first to see if both the fit and lacing system will suit your size.
Overall Rating
For a signature line that is known for inconsistency, the adidas Harden line has done particularly well for the second consecutive year. The traction on the Harden Vol. 7 is top-tier, and the Boost unit on the heel provides exceptional support on both forward and backward lunges.
It also goes without saying that the shoe’s responsiveness and court feel are excellent, as is the case in almost every Harden shoe. If there is a downside that we could point out, the Harden Vol. 7 may be lacking in breathability and impact protection.
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 nets an overall rating of 8.5 out of 10.
Where To Buy
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 is available at your nearest adidas stores and outlets for a retail price tag of USD 160.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
They’re both well-balanced shoes, but the Harden Vol. 6 still performs better than the Vol. 7. The full-bed Boost cushioning setup on the Vol. 6 adds more impact protection and bounciness, two attributes that the Vol. 7 lacks.
If you don’t mind wiping dust from time to time, the Harden Vol. 7 could be your go-to shoe when playing outdoors. The combination of radial and herringbone traction patterns will easily cover multi-directional movements.
Yes, the adidas Harden Vol. 7 is a heavy shoe. It weighs around 15 ounces, which is far heavier than the average basketball shoe weight of 13.5 ounces.
With its narrow toebox, the adidas Harden Vol. 7 is a better fit for narrow-footed players. Wide-footed players might have to consider going half a size up on this pair.
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 sells for a retail price tag of USD 160, which is relatively more expensive than an average signature basketball shoe.
