A Closer Look at James Harden's Mid-90s Rockets Inspired Shoes

Adidas' partnership with James Harden has resulted in the development of a new court sneaker at the ending of the NBA's regular season. Inspired by the Rockets, and the era of the middle 1990s, James Harden and Adidas have been at the drawing table to design a colorful and interesting new collection of colorways for the 2019 season of the Harden Vol. 3 model.

The Adidas Harden Vol 3 Rockets inspiration

What images come to mind when you think of the Rockets? We immediately think of the team colors and logo. The new colorway s offered in a version that is inspired by the vintage Rockets sneaker from the 1990s. What we get for the aesthetic is a blending of the iconic three stripes signifying it's an Adidas brand along with the fighter pilot rocket in a vibrant graphic. The tongue and the heel feature pin striping with a blending of a powerful color scheme that includes power red, legend ink and collegiate navy. The colors are bold and they're certainly eye catching. The mid sole is outfitted with Boost construction so it will have that old familiar spring that energizes every step both on and off the court. The out sole is crafted with a textural appeal that offers a gradient pattern strictly for the eyes.

The classics never die

This vintage inspired sneaker is Adidas' 2019 take on an old classic. We've seen other major brands go backwards in time through the archives of beloved models and bring them back in a new and modern iteration and Adidas is keeping up with the best of them in delivering new models that are certain to thrill those who remember their favorites from the past and appreciate a nod to the vintage. New innovations in sneaker comfort and performance have been achieved since the production of the 1990s models and you can find out how Adidas has melded the old with the new to provide a court shoe with superior performance and the ultimate in comfort as well. This low top court shoe may not be everybody's cup of tea but it has a large enough fan base that it's wise to get your pair before they disappear.

Pricing and availability

The 2019 Adidas Harden Vol 3 in its Rockets inspired colorway was released for sale on February 1, 2019. The brand set the manufacturer's suggested retail price of just $140 for the exciting new basketball sneaker. This was as of the early period of the release date and we've already seen them going for upwards of $160 per pair and higher. That's the thing about an exciting new colorway in a proven sneaker. They were initially offered at addidas.com at the MSRP, but since being offered through a variety of authorized retailers, it's likely that the demand has already begun to exceed the current supply. We've not yet heard whether or not there will be another production run.

Final thoughts

Adidas' 2019 Harden Vol 3 in its new colorway with a vintage wink to the Rockets is somewhat of a revival of a shoe that became a favorite among users. It's one of those releases that will appeal to certain segments of the population and stir a great deal of hype. Others won't give it a second look, but then again, the sneaker was not made with them in mind. It's a special model that will stir familiarity in Rockets fans from all ages and walks of life. This represents a diverse crowd with one thing in common and together Adidas and James Harden made the decision to design and produce a sneaker that would meet the requirements of a group who demand on he very best when it comes to fit, comfort and performance both on and off the court. The eye appeal is a bit loud for some who prefer more muted tones but it's a perfect match for Rockets fans with an appreciation for the sport for whom the sneakers have some significant sentimental value. At the end of the day, they're also Adidas.