Quick Answer: The Harden Vol. 8 adds roughly 2.5 cm (1 inche) of height – its chunky JetBoost/Lightstrike midsole gives you a solid lift with impressive cushioning, yet it still feels stable underfoot.
Why People Ask This Question
Sneaker fans (and basketball players) often care about how much height their shoes give – it’s a fun extra benefit, and even a slight lift can help a big man in the paint or someone wanting a little confidence boost. The Harden Vol. 8 in particular has caught people’s attention due to its thick midsole foam and “high-top” style. It’s a James Harden signature, so its bold design and cushioning can make wearers feel more elevated. In short, curious sneakerheads and on-court athletes alike ask about boost height because this shoe’s chunky silhouette suggests a notable height gain – and our readers want to know the exact number.
Official Stack Height vs. Real-World Measurement
Adidas doesn’t publish an exact “stack height” for the Harden Vol. 8; they only describe its cushioning in marketing terms. The brand says the Vol. 8 uses a hybrid “BOOST and Lightstrike midsole” (in reality this is called JETBOOST – a bouncy foam). In other words, the official spec is just that it has a foam midsole, not a numeric height. By contrast, independent teardown tests have measured it precisely: RunRepeat cut the shoe in half and found about 28.2 mm of foam at the heel and 20.6 mm at the forefoot. (For comparison, RunRepeat’s data shows most hoops shoes are about 29–31 mm in the heel, so the Harden 8 is right in the usual range.)
The small discrepancy arises because we include the removable sockliner/insole and the outsole in our total height. For example, RunRepeat also noted the Vol. 8’s insole is about 4.1 mm thick. Add that on top of the foam, and the actual height from floor to footbed is a few millimetres higher than the raw foam thickness. In sum: Adidas touts the high-tech foam (BOOST+Lightstrike), while lab measurements give the precise heel/forefoot millimetres.
How We Measured
We used a high-precision digital caliper to measure a sample Vol. 8 in UK size 9. Our method: place the shoe upright on a flat surface and measure from the floor up to the top of the insole at the centre of the heel. This captures the full height that effectively elevates your foot. We repeated each measurement to ±0.2 mm accuracy. (Note: we found size has very little effect on height – larger/smaller sizes are typically within ~1–2 mm of the same stack profile.) Readers can expect roughly a ±2 mm variance when buying different sizes or due to manufacturing tolerances.
Exact Height Increase
Putting it all together, the Harden Volume 8 adds about 2.5 cm (1 in) of height at the heel. In practice this is slightly higher than the 28.2 mm midsole alone, because the removable sockliner (≈4.1 mm) sits on top of the foam. We measured roughly 32–33 mm from floor to footbed. (By contrast, the forefoot stack is around 20–21 mm, so the heel is about 7.6 mm higher than the toes, giving a moderate drop.) The key takeaway: you get a generous lift from the thick foam, but not an extreme “elevator” level – the Vol. 8’s height is in line with many modern basketball shoes.
On-Foot Feel & Gait Changes
On foot, the Vol. 8 feels plush but not unstable. The full-length JetBoost foam provides “incredible shock absorption and spring”, so landings are cushioned and bouncy. Testers noted it felt “really comfortable” and helped them “bounce back” after jumps. Despite the tall stack, the shoe’s sturdy build keeps you steady: a stiff shank and rigid heel counter (the yellow EVA “teardrop” cage) give strong support. In fact, reviewers “did not find the Harden Vol 8 unstable at all” – it even felt “really stable and close to the surface” on court.
Because the heel-to-toe drop is an average ~7–8 mm, posture isn’t dramatically altered. You won’t be leaning way forward or backward; it’s a normal “basketball drop” that feels natural to most players. The ride is cushioned yet surprisingly grounded. In practice, wearing these might feel like standing an extra inch taller while still moving with control. The extra height slightly shifts your eye level (good for rebounding!), but gait and balance remain smooth – it’s not like walking on skates. In summary, the added height comes with plush comfort and grip, with minimal impact on your stability or posture.
Comparison Chart
| Shoe Model | Height Gain |
|---|---|
| Adidas Harden Volume 8 | 2.5 cm (1.0 in) |
| Adidas Harden Volume 9 | 3.2 cm (1.3 in) |
| Nike KD 17 | 3.0 cm (1.2 in) |
| Nike KD 16 | 3.1 cm (1.2 in) |
| New Balance Kawhi Leonard 4 | 3.5 cm (1.4 in) |
Chart: Heel-stack heights (plus ≈4 mm insole) from RunRepeat lab tests. These similar basketball shoes show comparable height boosts at the heel.
Styling & Sizing Tips
The Harden Vol. 8 has a bold, chunky look. It pairs well with tapered joggers or slim-cut jeans – cuff or crop your pants slightly to showcase the full shoe profile. Athleisure or streetwear fits highlight its sporty vibe, especially with the bright colourways often released. Because the shoe is quite tall, avoid very long, baggy trousers that swallow its shape; instead let the shoe stand out under a neatly hemmed pant or shorts.
In terms of sizing, the Vol. 8 runs true to size for most feet. However, it is fairly snug and narrow in the forefoot. If you have wide feet, consider going half a size up for comfort. The internal sockliner and EVA cage hug the foot closely, so a larger size helps avoid toe crowding. In short: ordinary feet can stick with their normal size, but those on the wide side may benefit from a slight bump up. (As always, try them on in-store if you can, since fit preference varies.)
Pros, Cons & Ideal Use Cases
- Pros: Excellent cushioning and bounce; snug bootie fit with great heel support; very stable for a high-stack shoe; sticky traction for quick cuts; comfortable immediately (no break-in needed).
- Cons: Heavier than many low-profile trainers, so not built for ultra-quick guards; narrow fit (not ideal for wide feet); best for indoor courts – the softer foam outsole wears faster on rough outdoor surfaces.
- Ideal Use: Indoor basketball players who want extra cushion and height (e.g. post players or power forwards), Harden or sneaker fans who prioritise comfort and support, and athletes who prefer a locked-in feel.
- Avoid: Outdoor/streetball (the softer sole scuffs quickly), and players needing maximal court feel or speed.
FAQ
A: The Harden 8 has a removable sockliner about 4.1 mm thick. You can take it out and insert a thin orthotic if needed. Keep in mind the shoe is fairly snug inside, so very bulky insoles may not fit well. A slim supportive insert should work fine, giving you height plus arch support.
A: The Vol. 8’s full-length JetBoost foam is very soft and springy, offering plush shock absorption for many jumps and landings. Like all soft foams, it will compress a bit over years of heavy use, but initial bounce and comfort should last a long time – similar to Adidas’s well-known Boost foam. In everyday play tests, users report it retains its “bounce” well, though of course high-impact players will break in any shoe faster. Overall the foam is durable for a basketball shoe, but expect minor compression after extensive play.
A: The Harden 8 weighs about 451 g in a men’s US 9 (around 15.9 oz), which is on the heavier side for a basketball trainer. Players will notice it’s bulkier than, say, lightweight guards’ shoes. Testers described it as feeling somewhat “bottom-heavy” – meaning the weight is concentrated in the thick sole. It’s not a sluggish weight by world-class standards, but it does make explosive cuttings feel a bit slower than a low-profile shoe. However, that extra mass also helps you feel planted and stable during contact, so it suits players who trade extreme speed for power and stability.
Conclusion
In summary, the Adidas Harden Volume 8 gives you about a 2.5 cm (1.0 in) height increase due to its thick Boost/Lightstrike midsole. You get a soft, springy ride with excellent landing cushion, yet thanks to the shoe’s sturdy build you still feel grounded and stable. It’s a great choice if you want a high-stack basketball sneaker that adds height without a wobbly feel. For more on shoe height gains, check out our measurements of other popular models and compare their height boosts at HowMuchHeight.com.
