Adidas Basketball Brings A "Blue Pony" Update to the Harden Vol. 9

James Harden and his Three Stripes family are on a roll. Their last few signature shoes together have delivered a compelling mix of performance and style, even winning over some non-hoopers. The Adidas Harden Vol. 9 has firmly cemented the Los Angeles Clipper's sneaker as one of the most exciting, arriving in fashionable looks without sacrificing performance. Come Fall 2025, the design is expected in an eye-catching "Blue Pony" makeover.

Officially clad in a "Blue Rush/Core Black/Blue Rush" color trifecta, the ninth iteration of the Adidas Harden series features its traditional futuristic build. The cleverly-branded upper, however, takes on a faux pony hair update, abandoning the suede and synthetic leather seen on most colorways of the silhouette—and other Three Stripes hoops designs like the Dame X and AE 2. The impending release is includes by the typically inner bootie construction, which opts for a pitch-dark finish. The tried-and-proven outsole underfoot reverts to blue-colored goodness, helping the "Blue Pony" update appear more prominently.

Faux hair of any kind isn't typically associated with performance basketball footwear, but its appearance in Harden's signature franchise demonstrates his and his partner's commitment to pushing boundaries. Furthermore, the bold-colored style helps bridge the gap between sport and fashion, an endeavor on which the Three Stripes has embarked decades ago.

Enjoy a detailed-look at Adidas Basketball's "Blue Pony" offering below. Pairs are expected to hit Adidas.com throughout fall for $160.

Away from hoops, the Three Stripes is set to release the Adidas Jellyfish before 2025 ends, a chunky, running-inspired design developed with Pharrell Williams.