It’s been some time since we’ve heard anything about Harden Vol. 1, but that’s no longer the case. The adidas Harden Vol. 1 is making a comeback this year as James Harden’s first signature shoe returns to the rotation in 2026. Making a comeback will be the “Pioneer” colorway available in Core Black/Scarlet/Footwear White.

The shoe had already made a quiet appearance in China through adidas Basketball’s “Take On Summer” campaign. That ended up being the first real clue that the Vol. 1 was coming back.

The Harden Vol. 1 originally released in December 2016. It sat lower than a lot of basketball shoes from that period and used full-length BOOST cushioning underfoot. The upper was built with leather and finished with the broad toe shape that became one of the model’s easiest details to recognize.

Harden’s game at the time was already built around quick stops, changes of direction, and the step-back jumper. The Vol. 1 became closely connected to that stretch of his career.

The “Pioneer” returns with the same color setup as the original. Core Black covers most of the upper, while Scarlet and Footwear White break up the darker base. Harden branding and the rounded toe remain part of the design.

This was the colorway that started Harden’s adidas signature line back in 2016, so its return lines up with the model reaching the 10-year mark.

adidas Harden Vol. 1 Pioneer 2026 Release Date

The adidas Harden Vol. 1 “Pioneer” releases in August 2026 for $140, matching its original retail price. Look for the shoe on adidas.com and through select adidas Basketball retailers.

Stay up to date with all upcoming sneaker releases from our Sneaker Release Dates page.