Adidas Harden Vol. 3
These May Be My Favorite Lows In A Long Time
Traction: 3
Let's just go ahead and get things started with one of my favorite parts in a basketball sneaker. The traction on the Harden vol. 3s is just straight awesome in my opinion. Whether I was moving laterally or vertically, I had no issues whatsoever with the traction. I never took these outdoors, but I have played on some dusty courts and the traction worked very well in that scenario as well. You do have two different types of compound on the outsole in a herringbone pattern. The heel and outside sections of the outsole are just rubber while running down basically the whole middle of the outsole is a translucent section. I'm not exactly sure why they work so well with the way they set these up, but I think they may have just placed the compounds in areas that they work very well. A lot of times translucent outsoles will not work great, but I’m telling you these worked out awesome for me and I couldn’t be any happier personally with the traction.
Fit: 3
The fit for Adidas is normally totally up in the air for me. As you know recently with the D.O.N. Issue 1 I had some major problems with sizing and had to even go down to a 10.5. With these Hardens I was able to get my normal 11.5 and they fit great and feel well on my feet. I would definitely say you would be ok to go true to size with this pair!
Cushion: 2
The shoe overall is very comfortable and features full-length boost. Now you know me when it comes to boost I absolutely love it casually and have actually worn these Hardens casually on several occasions just due to the comfort level. On the court is what we are wondering here though.. I actually enjoyed the boost on this pair where normally I’m more into Adidas bounce cushion in basketball shoes. I felt that the boost on these Hardens was about the right amount, but I would prefer to have a little bit more court feel. A great example in this case, is I played in the crazy explosive low a few years ago and the boost on those guys was just way too much for me. I almost felt like I was playing on clouds! These Hardens are not that way; they give you great comfort as well as some great impact protection. I just feel as if the boost was just slightly less giving a little more court feel you would have a near-perfect shoe for my liking anyway!
Lockdown: 3
I feel like I say this in every low top review, but I guess ill say it again. I am normally not down to play in lows, so when I do it's either strictly for a review or I really like the shoe overall. In this case, I really like the shoe! I have had several ankle injuries over the years and just normally prefer a higher top shoe. Lows are growing on me though, and when I have an experience like these Hardens it definitely makes me wanna give more low tops a shot. The lockdown was awesome and I never really felt myself feeling in danger of rolling or injuring my ankle. I actually felt very secure and loved the way they locked me into the shoe. If you are used to playing in lows overall, I really think you are going to love these Hardens!
Materials: 3
I actually really liked the materials on the Harden vol. 3s. Most recent basketball sneakers I have played in, been released, or really taken a look at do not seem to have overall greatness to the quality used in the materials. I feel like Adidas did these hardens very well and the quality of the materials is actually quite good in my opinion. Now before we get started on these are the greatest materials ever used lets back up. What I am more trying to say is its probably not the most premium of materials, but they feel better and more like more effort was used into what was actually put onto these and they work out very well. The upper is made of textiles and has a synthetic overlay but almost have the feel or gives the vibe of a prime knit. The tongue on my pair features a thick-cut piece of leather that runs on the outside and to the inside of the shoe that feels very premium and is actually very comfortable on your foot laced up while playing. On the inside of the shoe, it features a very comfortable, soft thin lining that feels also to be a very premium type material that is very comfortable on your foot. As I said before I am not saying that you should expect to buy these and think you have a premium tumbled leather Jordan 1, but I am saying that I really like the materials they used on these and they feel very premium to what I have been used to playing in most recently.
The Strap: No Grade
I wanted to add this part in about the shoe for the fact of.. well I really don’t have one! I just really wanted to let you know that it does not really serve any purpose in my opinion. A lot of times I will enjoy having a strap to give me some extra lockdown, but in this case, it just doesn’t really do anything to my feel or knowledge. The strap sits around the forefoot area and is attached to the shoe. There is no way to really loosen or tighten the strap, but more for an aesthetic view I believe. It also has the MVP’s signature on it, so what else would it be needed for!
Overall: 3
Honestly out of my current sneakers I have been testing or playing in the Hardens are one of my current faves. The traction is so strong on these Hardens, with such a light, low feel they just overall work out amazing. The lockdown is great and overall as I said before they are my favorite low top sneaker I have played in, in quite some time. Everything on these basically checks out positive for me on my feet or on the basketball court. If I was to take a bag to the gym with my favorite current basketball sneakers and I wanted a low top to go with me these would definitely be in the bag. Currently, I would rank these in my top three favorite recently released basketball sneakers I have personally played in. Those top three in no particular order would be these, the Greek Freaks, and the Lebron 16. All for really different reasons, but if we are talking strictly traction, a low top, and a great comfortable basketball shoe.. These are definitely a great shoe to take a look at!
I Hope You Enjoyed This Review On The Harden Vol. 3s!
Thanks For All Your Support! Have A Great Week & As Always Happy Hooping!
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