Adidas Harden Stepback
Released 1/2020, Low Top, James Harden,
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Performance Ratings
8.0
EXPERT RATING
2 reviews
8.0
USER RATING
13 ratings
Performance Summary
This Harden budget model convinces with solid overall performance
Pros
Very stable and supportive shoe
Affordable budget model
Cons
Picks up a lot of dust
Best Suitable For: A great choice for price-conscious guards who like responsive cushioning
Category Performance Ratings
8.0
Traction
Traditional herringbone pattern with standard rubber. Excellent grip on clean indoor courts but clogs with dust and needs frequent wiping.
7.0
Cushion
Full-length Bounce foam in a caged setup. Firm underfoot with good forefoot response but limited heel impact protection.
8.0
Materials
Mesh upper with synthetic overlays. Comfortable and functional but not premium and durability is average for a budget shoe.
9.0
Support
Wide base, raised midsole, and heel padding. Provides solid lateral stability and reliable lockdown for quick cuts.
8.0
Fit
True to Adidas or down half size advice. Heel padded with good lockdown. Forefoot can pinch for some.
0%
Outdoor
Soft rubber outsole. Durable life outdoors is limited and traction will wear quickly on rough surfaces.
small
large
Sizing
Runs close to Adidas sizing. Many suggest true to Adidas or down half a size unless you have wide feet.
narrow
wide
Width
Fits narrow to regular feet best. Reports conflict. Some feel slightly wide while others experience forefoot pinching.
Comparison to Similar Shoes:
![]() Adidas Harden Stepback | ![]() Adidas AE 2 | ![]() Jordan Luka 3 | ![]() Nike KD 18 | ![]() Adidas Harden Volume 9 | ![]() Nike Lebron 23 | Add shoe | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 8.0 | 8.5(0.5) | 8.2(0.2) | 8.2(0.2) | 8.5(0.5) | 8.3(0.3) | |
| User Rating | 8.0 | 8.8(0.8) | 9.2(1.2) | 9.1(1.1) | 9.4(1.4) | NA | |
| Best Price | $79.99 | $129.99 | $129.99 $140 | $88.97 $160 | $128 $160 | $209.99 | |
| Type of Cut | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | Low Top | |
| Weight | 400g - 410g | 420g - 430g | 380g - 390g | 420g - 430g | 410g - 420g | 440g - 440g |
Expert Reviews of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Rating: 8.0 (ranks #318 of 383)
10 - Amazing
0
9 - Great
0
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
0
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.2
February 20, 2020
This is a great performer, especially for a budget model! I had a lot of fun playing in the Harden Stepback.
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7.8
February 20, 2020
For an $80 shoe, this is a pretty good performer! Other than the traction on dust and the firm cushioning, I enjoyed the Harden Stepback a lot.
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User Reviews of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
User Rating: 8.0 (ranks #294 of 383)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
3
7 - Average
6
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
7.2
April 26, 2023

Honestly I've been using this shoe for years now and it's ok. It's not amazing, but also not bad. The durability of the shoes (Both the uppers and the traction) is it's strongest point. It'll last you years, even without much care. The traction is ok, but I think it performs better outdoors. It isn't breathable at all as it heats up a lot. And the support and lockdown is ok with minimal heel slippage, but it is comfortable. I think it is a soild budget shoe, that clearly shows it's cost.
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6.9
October 12, 2023

I thought the sneaker didnt have Good durability. Alter a long time of playing it had bad traction, Despite that, The sneakers are Good for The price.
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7.0
December 23, 2021
an OK shoe, not really good, and not really bad. Just average.
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9.4
August 30, 2022
Very reliable! Lasted 2 years for school basketball shoes.
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Traction of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Traction Rating: 8.0 (ranks #305 of 383)
User Traction Rating: 7.8 (ranks #300 of 383)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
6
7 - Average
5
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 20, 2020
The traditional herringbone traction pattern is really nice on clean courts but collects dust easily on dirty courts.
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8.0
February 20, 2020
The traction bites the floor really nicely on clean courts. On dusty courts, you need to wipe constantly.
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Cushion of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Cushion Rating: 7.0 (ranks #371 of 383)
User Cushion Rating: 7.8 (ranks #281 of 383)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
2
8 - Good
7
7 - Average
1
6 - Subpar
4
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 20, 2020
The full-length Bounce cushioning offers great impact protection in the heel and feels more responsive in the forefoot.
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6.0
February 20, 2020
The cushioning is caged along the whole foot which gives you great court feel but the impact protection is bad.
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Materials of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Materials Rating: 8.0 (ranks #260 of 383)
User Materials Rating: 7.4 (ranks #315 of 383)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
1
8 - Good
5
7 - Average
5
6 - Subpar
3
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 20, 2020
The materials are nothing special but get the job done.
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8.0
February 20, 2020
The different synthetic and Mesh materials feel comfortable and get the job done.
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Support of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Support Rating: 9.0 (ranks #49 of 383)
User Support Rating: 8.1 (ranks #269 of 383)
10 - Amazing
2
9 - Great
4
8 - Good
4
7 - Average
5
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
9.0
February 20, 2020
The wide base offers a lot of stability for lateral cuts and I didn't have any heel slippage which is rare for me in Harden models.
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9.0
February 20, 2020
Support and lockdown are really good thanks to the wide base and the raised midsole.
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Fit of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Fit Rating: 8.0 (ranks #287 of 383)
User Fit Rating: 8.2 (ranks #254 of 383)
10 - Amazing
1
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
7
7 - Average
3
6 - Subpar
0
5 - Poor
0
8.0
February 20, 2020
There is a lot of padding in the heel and the lacing system works well.
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Durability of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
User Durability Rating: 8.1 (ranks #236 of 383)
10 - Amazing
3
9 - Great
3
8 - Good
2
7 - Average
3
6 - Subpar
1
5 - Poor
1
Outdoor of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
Expert Outdoor Rating: 0.0 (ranks #351 of 383)
User Outdoor Rating: 73.1 (ranks #111 of 383)
Good (100%)
8
Fair (50%)
3
Bad (0%)
3
no
February 20, 2020
The soft rubber will probably not last for a long time outdoors.
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Width of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
very narrow
0
slightly narrow
1
regular
8
slightly wide
6
very wide
0
slightly narrow
February 20, 2020
As a slightly wide-footer, I experienced some pinching pain in the forefoot.
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slightly wide
February 20, 2020
The fit is slightly wide.
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Size of the Adidas Harden Stepback:
very small
0
slightly small
1
true to size
11
slightly long
3
very long
0
½ size large
February 20, 2020
Go down half a size unless you have wide feet.
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½ size large
February 20, 2020
Go true to your Adidas size (which is a half size smaller than Nike)
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