Erik Hernandez
Version A three-view sketch of a low-top basketball shoe, lateral, top, and medial views stacked, with a diagonal overlay across the lacing.
Design wall with a Harden concept rendering pinned among side-profile sketches.
Design wall with outsole samples, material swatches, and reference images.
Design wall with molded outsole and midsole prototypes beside tech drawings and swatches.
James Harden holding a Harden Vol. 1 sample with a white upper during a sample review, with a member of the design team seated beside him.
James Harden, seen from behind in a pink jersey, holding a white sample while other sample pairs sit on the table in front of him.
Harden Vol. 1 in black, white, and red on a dark gym floor, lateral side.
Low-angle view of the heel with red three-stripe detail and the Boost midsole.
The heel and collar lit by a narrow band of light.
Harden Vol. 1 from above, showing the knit upper, red laces, and H logo on the tongue.
Harden Vol. 1 outsole with a radial traction pattern and a red midfoot window.
The H logo on the tongue with the outsole curving behind it.
Overhead view of the shoe on a hardwood court across a painted line.
Overhead view of the shoe on hardwood, lateral side.
Close-up of the forefoot traction and red heel window.
Harden Vol. 1 worn on concrete stairs.
Outsole of the Harden Vol. 1 facing the camera as a player dribbles.
Harden Vol. 1 worn against a weathered red post.
A pair of Harden Vol. 1 carried by the laces on a court.
Black-and-white photo of a player seated on bleachers wearing the Harden Vol. 1.
Black-and-white photo of a player in a low crossover dribble wearing the Harden Vol. 1.

Brief

Design James Harden’s first signature shoe after he signed with adidas in 2015. With no earlier signature model to build from, the shoe had to set the design language for a new line: a low-top built around his change-of-pace game, with enough style to match his off-court swagger.

Process

Sketching started with the silhouette and left details for later, running five rounds and about 210 drawings. Phase 1 set proportion and collar height in side profile. Phase 2 added top-down views to work out the lacing and toe. Phase 3 narrowed the heel and collar line into two directions, Version A and Version B. From there the work moved to the design wall, where renderings, molded outsole studies, and material samples were pinned next to the drawings.

Each sample round was reviewed with Harden in person. We walked him through the versions, and he handled and fit-tested every pair, talking through what worked and what didn’t. His feedback went straight into the next round.

Version A was approved as the Vol. 1, launching Harden’s signature line. Version B went on to become the Harden BTE, and other directions from the exploration fed into the Harden LS.