What adidas says about this boot: Enter a new era of finishing with grippy Strikeskin in the lightest Predator yet
Boot style: Power/Comfort
Weight: 215g / 7.76 ounces (US 9/27.0cm)
Previous model: Predator Accuracy.1 L (2023)
When the world first noted that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham were both wearing a boot that didn’t just have Predator elements, but a foldover tongue on it, everyone understandably went nuts. But even adidas couldn’t have imagined how perfect the debut would go.
TAA’s incredible form during that period of games, in a Beckham inspired limited edition colourway, along with the nostalgia of a foldover tongue, created all the hype the Predator needed. The question of course was – yes, the Adidas Predator Elite looks the part, but does it play the part?
Oh, take me back to the start
The adidas Predator Elite doesn’t just indulge in nostalgia with the foldover tongue. The entire silhouette of the boot takes inspiration from iconic Predators of yesteryear. From the adidas Predator Mania inspired strike skin placements, to the adidas Predator Accelerator inspired stripe placements, as well as the adidas Predator LZ inspired tooling.
The most surprising move, however, would be the return of a traditional construction tongue construction. It’s been an interesting time for adidas’ laceless models as they have been relegated from top billing after years of being touted as the ultimate premium model.
Now, adidas have made a U-turn and have given the classic fold over tongue the premium spot in their line-up.
One thing that is a step away from nostalgia is the weight. Classic Predators have been known to be heavier but this is the lightest Predator to date, weighing in at 215g for a size US9. That weight puts it alongside most speed boots, a rather miraculous innovation for a “power boot”.
A tighter and more anatomical fit
adidas have also complemented the traditional tongue construction with a new last, making the new Predator feel more streamlined and foot hugging, in the best way possible. Where I found the adidas Predator Accuracy to fit wider than I would have liked, the adidas Predator Elite fit snugly out of the box. The traditional construction also plays a crucial role, allowing you to tighten and loosen as necessary depending on the wider or narrower areas of your foot.
For a more balanced take, I checked in with several fellow reviewers with different foot shapes and everyone unanimously commented that the boot fit them well too, despite the narrower fit. I recommend going true to size, and allowing the lacing do its thing.
For all you nostalgia merchants out there, I will warn you that the Beckham style fold-over tongue comes with one major caveat, which is a lack of lockdown in the ankle area due to the tongue being stretched forward, affecting the fit on the highest two lace holes.
adidas Predator Elite – Raw power
Over the years, there’s been many debates about what makes a Predator. I humbly submit my definition – it makes you feel powerful and trigger happy.
Just as there are boots that make you feel like taking the ball and running at the opponent, the best Predators have always given you that confidence to ping passes or smash in a goal Stevie G style.
In this regard, the Adidas Predator Elite absolutely aces this test. The tighter fit and the new rubber elements come together to give you that feeling of raw power when striking.
I personally favour the far post curler shot, and as you’d expect, the rubber elements give you that added curl on the ball, both when shooting and crossing, helping to compensate for your technique.
The Hybridtouch 2.0 upper is also less padded than its predecessor, which is a shame as the Predator Accuracy really felt like a boot you could go to war in, making you feel extremely protected without taking away too much from the touch. The Adidas Predator Elite, in contrast, has a sharper feel and gives you more balanced feel of the ball.
A pro-tip from us too: adidas has also stepped up their takedown game. The takedown adidas Predator Pro felt excellent in hand, with an upper and strikeskin rubber elements that would have fooled us into thinking they were the Elite version. An excellent value for money option if you’re tighter with your budget.
The new Controlframe 2.0 is lighter but grippier
adidas calls the adidas Predator Elite the lightest Predator ever, which is all thanks to the new Controlframe 2.0. It is reminiscent to the old Sprintframe tooling from the Predator LZ, where the studs were more triangular than round for that additional traction when pushing off.
While the new studs don’t feel as aggressive as the old school blades, the triangular shape does give you a nice platform to push off, as well as braking. Unfortunately, the studs are fairly long, and I felt a bit too much cling on artificial ground. You could probably get away with them on AG, but it’s not something I’d recommend.
And truthfully, there’s no need to. With the adidas Predator Elite, adidas have dropped not just one, but TWO AG toolings, one specifically for shallower 2G/3G pitches, and another for those of you who play on nicer, more modern 4G pitches. These AG toolings however aren’t available in Singapore but can be purchased via our partners in the links below.
Bringing the Predator to the next generation
To answer our initial question from the beginning of the review – yes the adidas Predator Elite definitely more than lives up to the hype. The new traditional construction allows for a better fit for all players, while that Strikeskin grip gives that familiar Predator feel to whip in crosses or shots with pace and power.
If I had to describe the boot though, it’d be safe and familiar. Which is a bit of a shame, as it looks like adidas played it very safe taking the best elements from the Predator of yesteryear and giving it the 2024 treatment, without really innovating on any aspect.
We’d have loved to see adidas do more – the Powerswerve element from 2008, for example, did not just have grip, but also a slight layer of foam for added rebound when striking the ball.
What adidas has done impressively though, is to introduce the Predator to a new generation of younger players, which is more important for the longevity of the silo. So maybe it is the next Predator that we should look towards for adidas to release the shackles and give us an innovative Predator that looks AND plays the part.
