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For over three decades, the adidas Predator has set the benchmark for football boots—transforming the role of technology in modern gameplay.
Known for its iconic design and advanced features, the Predator has been a trusted ally to some of football’s most legendary players, helping them achieve moments of brilliance on the pitch.
With a foundation built on power, precision, and relentless innovation, adidas continues to lead the charge in the 2024/25 season.
Join us as we explore the early days of the Predator and see how each model paved the way for the adidas Predator we know and love today.
’94 – The adidas Predator
Making its debut at the 1994 World Cup, the adidas Predator showcased a potential few could have predicted, soon becoming an icon that would leave a lasting mark on the footballing world.
Wearing the instantly recognisable Black, White, and Red colourway, Celtic’s star midfielder John Collins first demonstrated the Predator’s potential.
His stunning free-kick against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium marked a turning point—not just for Collins, but for the Predator brand, establishing it as the boot for unforgettable moments
Where it all began: Craig Johnston
Inspired by the spin and control of a table tennis paddle, Craig Johnston designed the first adidas Predator, complete with raised rubber elements that revolutionised boot design and changed how players interacted with the ball.
Engineered to deliver exceptional power and accuracy with every shot, Johnston’s dedication to his craft paved the way for players to master techniques such as the Straight Curl and classic Chip Shot with greater ease than ever before.
Complete with a kangaroo leather upper—a material adidas is now phasing out due to sustainability concerns—the Predator provided a durable yet soft and comfortable fit in a compact form.
Fun Fact: The Predator weighed a staggering 391 grams– Significantly heavier than the current Predator FT ’24 that sits at a much lighter 215g.
’95 -The Predator Rapier
In a nod to the Predator’s acceptance as a silo set to stay, adidas followed the original Predator boot with the notorious Predator Rapier in 1995.
Sporting essentially the same design as the 1994 original Predator, the Rapier for ’95 provided players with the addition of a fold-over tongue to make placing the boots on feet much easier, whilst delivering a ‘close to the ball’ feel.
The most exciting aspect of the ’95 Rapier?
It was the first football boot to offer its players a range of different colourways, with the addition of a limited edition white colourway.
Fun Fact: If it weren’t for the Rapier, adidas would not have kickstarted colourful colourways and football pitches wouldn’t be as vibrant or dynamic as they are today.
’96 The Predator Touch
Two years after its inception into the sporting world, adidas continued to refine and tweak the praiseworthy Predator, and gave rise to the Predator Touch in 1996.
Little did anyone know that the silo that would soon kickstart the career of none other than David Beckham.
Having heard rave reviews from fellow players, Beckham requested a pair just in time for the opening fixture against Wimbledon.
The result?
adidas had only one Size 8 boot available set aside for Ranger‘s Charlie Miller, and even had his name embroidered onto the tongue.
Beckham got some stick for this in the dressing room, but it didn’t stop the Midfielder from securing one of the best goals in Premier League history, as he plotted the ball into the back of the net from the halfway line to kickstart his journey with the Predator.
It was here Beckham and the Predator became one of the most iconic duos that the football world had ever seen.
’98 The Predator Accelerator
In 1998, adidas introduced the Predator Accelerator, refining the design with an all-new Traxion soleplate, bladed studs, and an updated asymmetrical lacing system for a larger, more precise striking zone.
The rubberized elements from its predecessor, the Predator Touch, were significantly reduced, resulting in a more streamlined and uniform silhouette.
adidas’ signature three stripes dominated the boot’s landscape, forming a wraparound design that remains one of the most iconic looks to grace the world stage.
2000- The Predator Precision
Who could forget the Predator Precision—the boot that powered David Beckham’s iconic free-kick against Greece, securing England’s spot in the 2002 World Cup and forever cementing its place in history?
Never before had a boot so rightly lived up to its name . ‘Precision’ at its finest.
Sporting a larger tongue with Velcro, adidas ensured the contact zone delivered a much sought-after close-to-the-ball feel with every strike. Though the Velcro’s durability was a drawback, the boot’s iconic legacy more than makes up for it.
Fun Fact: The Predator Precision became the first predator to feature interchangeable Traxion studs, allowing players to tailor their game based on pitch conditions and positions they played.
’02 – Predator Mania
Arguably the most recognisable boot in the Predator series and making the cut in our list of the Top 10 adidas Football Boots of All Time – the 2002 Predator Mania was a sight to behold.
Delivering a much larger fold-over tongue than the pred’s predecessors, the Mania provided players with greater coverage of the laces and utilised a rubberised band to keep the tongue in place (A significant improvement over the Velcro used for the Precision boot!)
The rubberized elements again became an area of focus, where this time they were designed to only cover the inside of the forefoot, with the signature three stripes again placed to the outsole.
Featuring a split soleplate, adidas looked to reduce the weight of the boot, bringing it down to 325g, a significant 17% weight reduction since the release of their first Predator, making the boot the lightest of its day!
Not only this, but the addition of the heel counter provided players with a focus on providing support to the heel and ankle and went on to help Zidane score one of the greatest Champion League goals of all time- a sensational volley against Bayer Leverkusenin at the 2002 UCL Final.
’17 – The Predator 18
Following on from a 3-year hiatus, the Predator made its return at the end of 2017 to give us the “18+” – the first laceless Predator and one to feature a super-soft PRIMEKNIT upper with a control skin that provided excellent grip.
The classic rubber elements?
These came to be replaced with intricate ridges across the toe box to provide better contact with the ball, whilst a flexible stretchy sock-fit collar enabled a more locked-in feel.
adidas Predator 18+ Playtest
’20 – The Predator Mutator
After a mixed journey for the Predator, with many revisions made to the boot, in particular concerning the boot’s tongue, lace placement, adjustment of rubberized elements and incorporation of a split soleplate, the Predator Mutator made one of the boldest statements of all.
The rubber elements that the Predator was known for were back and in an entirely new way.
Showcasing 406 refined miniature spikes across the forefoot of a Demonskin upper, adidas spiced things up with their design for this particular year and even offered players the opportunity to choose from either High or Low-Cut versions for the first time.
The high-cut version in particular, offered an exclusive signature PRIMEKNIT collar for exceptional lockdown.
adidas Predator Mutator 20+ Playtest
’22- Predator Edge
Seeing the spikes removed and replaced with something more fine-tuned to the Predator of old with a lowered collar, the Edge’s colourway takes influence from the 2012 Predator LZ.
A power Facet in the tip of the sole gives more power with every swing, much like the 2006 Predator absolute with its signature POWER PULSE technology.
adidas Predator Edge Playtest
’23 Predator Accuracy
Drawing inspiration from the rubber grip elements featured in iconic models like the Predator Mutator and Edge, the Predator Accuracy incorporated these rubber components and strategically placed across the key strike zones, creating what adidas proudly dubs a “High-Definition” grip structure.
Distinguished by its sleek and seamless design, the Accuracy seamlessly merges the aesthetics of the legendary ’98 World Cup Predator with the finesse of the Precision Euro from 2000, resulting in a truly captivating blend of styles.
Enhancing both form and function, the boot boasts a two-piece Primeknit collar for ultimate comfort and support. Additionally, a cleverly designed metal Power Facet near the forefoot’s tip redistributes weight towards the front, providing an extra punch when striking the ball.
And when it comes to personalization, the Predator Accuracy offers a plethora of colorways to cater to every taste, ranging from vibrant pinks and oranges to refreshing greens. The choices are abundant, making it a delightful dilemma for enthusiasts like us!
adidas Predator Accuracy Playtest
’24 – adidas Predator 24
Celebrating 30 years since the original Predator, adidas delivered the Predator ’24—a masterpiece in football footwear.
With a black base and vibrant pops of orange and electric yellow accents, the Predator ’24 harkens back to the 90s. Featuring a traditional fold-over tongue to enhance the strike zone, the Hybrid Touch 2.0 upper is softer, thinner, and less padded than previous models, providing an optimal feel for the ball.
The redesigned rubber fins optimise grip and spin with every touch, while the revamped Control Frame 2.0 soleplate, with triangular studs and bars in the center, enhances stability and responsiveness.
As one of the sleekest and fastest selling Predator football boots in years, it’s safe to say that adi are back on top.
adidas Predator ’24 Playtest
We’ll be back!
adidas has certainly given us plenty of choices since the release of the striking Solar Energy Pack in January. But the excitement doesn’t end there.
We’re thrilled to see how adidas will push the Predator even further in 2025. Stay tuned for exclusive updates—we’ll be ready to share as soon as the next chapter begins.
In the meantime, explore the latest adidas Vivid Horizon Predator, now available at Lovell Soccer, and experience the evolution for yourself!
