James Harden's partnership with adidas has carved a significant niche in the basketball sneaker market. The latest silhouette between the two, the Harden Vol. 7, has garnered a mix of admiration and debate among sneakerheads and ball players for its avant-garde look. adidas, adding to its already impressive lineup, has crafted a Harden Vol. 7 that celebrates the Chinese New Year festivities with a special Year of the Dragon edition. On top of Harden’s sneaker getting a makeover for the holiday, Donovan Mitchell’s D.O.N. Issue 5 and a collection of classic adidas silhouettes in partnership with Chinese artist Fefei Ruan are also celebrating the Chinese New Year.
This exclusive colorway of the Harden Vol. 7 embodies a fusion of tradition and modernity. It features an elegant white, black, and metallic gold color palette accented with jade highlights – a nod to the Chinese culture's reverence for the color's auspicious significance. The midfoot's textile overlay bears a dragon-inspired pattern akin to the one found on the D.O.N. Issue 5 Year of the Dragon, offering a blend of cultural symbolism and contemporary basketball style.
Gold piping adorns the midfoot panel and heel, complementing the metallic gold accents on the gap between the white toebox and black tongue. The black heel tab is embellished with three gold stripes, representing adidas' iconic logo, and includes intricate dragon embroidery in tonal black. The medial side of the sole unit showcases symbols linked to Lunar New Year celebrations, further rooting the sneaker in cultural heritage.
Beneath the sleek design lies a foundation built for performance, with the sole equipped with Jet Boost and Lightstrike cushioning. The black and white midsole is paired with a tonal rubber outsole with jade accents near the midfoot and toe, enhancing traction and durability.
The adidas Harden Vol. 7 Year of the Dragon will release on December 29, 2023, exclusively through adidas China. Keep an eye on the Sole Retriever mobile app for the latest updates on this release and more in the sneaker and streetwear scene.
adidas Harden Vol. 7 Year of the Dragon
Images via adidas
Images via yuanchengxin1
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
