Being dubbed the greatest and most revolutionary model in the world’s most successful football boot collection is no mean feat. However, it is a title the adidas adiPower Predator has achieved, and Soccer Reviews wanted to know whether it was merited and fully deserved. Thanks to Michael Ehrlich, we had the opportunity to do so, and put the adidas adiPower to the test. So, without further adieu, here is Soccer Reviews’ in-depth adidas adiPower Predator review.
Design 4/5 (People will be drooling over your boots and begging to try them on, and a host of world class players will sport them)
Past incarnations of the adidas Predator have generally been ‘toned down’ in terms of design, with the iconic Red/Black colorway symbolizing the Predator name. However, this time around, adidas have gone all out in terms of color and design, giving the once traditional boot a more modern and sleek look. The pair we received were outfitted with the launch colorway, consisting of an Electricity Blue upper and Yellow detailing. The reason I think this colorway has done particularly well with the professionals and amateurs alike is that while it is obviously a bright color scheme, it’s not obnoxiously so like some of the predominantly yellow colorways we see today.
Much like professional players switched by the hundreds to wear the Nike CTR360 Maestri when it was released, so to are they flooding to the adidas adiPower, which has now been dubbed a control boot. Previous adiPure wearers such as Kaka have converted to the new boots, while others have switched brands altogether, namely Nani. In short, the boots look fantastic, and adidas have really struck gold with this release. One thing we are sad to see though is the apparent phasing out of the classic Predator colorway, as only a handful of players opt to wear them, and also based on the fact that they aren’t even available for purchase in the United States. Other than that small complaint, there is seemingly nothing wrong with the adidas adiPower Predator in terms of design and players endorsing the boots.
Comfort 4/5 (Great out of the box comfort, you can wear them straight into a match and be happy with the comfort)
One of the Predator’s main strengths always has been and continues to be the level of comfort it offers. The adiPower has built on its predecessor, the Predator X, and has created one of the comfiest football boots on the market. Coming into the review, I was skeptical that the Taurus leather used for the adiPower would be able to match or surpass the comfort offered by kangaroo leather or Kanga-Lite boots. However, I was pleasantly surprised when it proved they could in fact compete in that particular category of testing. After wearing Nike CTR360 Maestris over the past two years (not exclusively though!), I had come to love the Kanga-Lite material used for the upper, however after testing the adiPowers, I think I might prefer the latter over the former in terms of comfort, based on the fact that Kanga-Lite is a foamy and squishy time of material whereas Taurus leather has a more natural and ‘leathery’ feel to it.
In terms of fit, I tested a pair of US11 boots. While wearing US11 usually leaves a little bit of room in the toe box, I do it to accommodate my slight wide feet. After wearing these boots, I wish I would have gone half a size smaller for two reasons. The adiPowers fit slightly wide, but also because the upper is a supple leather, it expands and conforms to the shape of your foot.
There aren’t too many boots that you can honestly wear straight out of the box and experience little to no discomfort, but the adidas adiPower Predator is one of those select few. Nubuck lining near the ankles grips your foot and prevents sliding around near the heel and back of your foot, making sure no blisters will form.
If you do decide to purchase a pair of the adiPowers, I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with the comfort it offers.
Performance 3.5/5 (There are some performance enhancers that will help some part of your game)
The Predator range has always had the singular focus in mind of making you perform better and kick harder. However, with the release of the adiPower, adidas changed that mindset and released the boot as part of the recently erected control silo. They made their boot significantly lighter, reducing the weight so it clocks in at approximately the same as the Superfly! With that said, unlike other lightweight boots, the adiPower didn’t sacrifice protection or stability in exchange for reduced weight. The Taurus upper still offers great protection, and I haven’t faced any difficulties or problems yet with the Sprint Frame. The reason I bring that up is that with the adiZeros, many owners have had their studs fall off forcing them to purchase another pair of boots. I think adidas have remedied that problem, or at least they have with the adiPowers, however expect an update if anything does happen.
Going on to the Predator element and whether or not it adds any extra power, I’m not 100 if it does exactly that, but something that became clearly evident to me while wearing the boots is that it substantially aids control and touch of the ball. When rubbing your fingers across the surface, it has a slightly sticky feel to it, and this helps grip the ball that extra little bit. I would have liked to see it extend further down into the instep as well, just so it could be there for when you pass or receive any balls with the inside of your foot. As for the Powerspine on the soleplate, it definitely restricts and prevents the boot and foot from bending when striking a ball, but how much additional power is added on because of it I do not know. Whatever the case and however marginal it might be, it certainly can’t hurt to be there.
Value 3.5/5 (Quite a good value cleat where you get your money’s worth and it will last at least 8 months)
With the average boot price increasing by the year, $200 USD has become the standard price for top end shoes, and in fact that mean price continues to be raised with Elite boots and other boots. Thus, I have to say that paying $200 is a relative steal when purchasing one of the top two soccer cleats on the market. You get an all-around hybrid boot that is suitable for any position, and the variety of players wearing the boots on the professional stage support that statement. In short, you are a purchasing one of the lighter boots on the market that doesn’t even focus on speed, but rather helping you have better control, power, and protection. One downfall in regards to value is that the adiPower does not come with a bag. It seems companies are getting rid of the boot+bag combo, and I think it’s a bad move on their part. If you are a consumer purchasing a pair of top end boots valued at $200 USD, you should be able to expect a bag thrown in. Bar that, great value for a great boot.
The Verdict:
Design 4/5
Comfort 4/5
Performance 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5
TOTAL: 15/20 75%
Prior to its release, the Nike CTR360 Maestri had a stranglehold on the football boot market, but that grip has been significantly loosened by the arrival of the adidas adiPower Predator. The boot is the total package, appealing to all types of players due to its being an all around boot. It is light, yet keeps its focus on power and control, while retaining a high level of protection. I can’t say much more than what I already have without making it seem like a rave session, so in short, if you opt to purchase the adidas adiPower Predator, you will not be disappointed! Well done adidas.
adidas adiPower PREDATOR TRX Soccer Shoes (Sharp Blue Met./Electricity/Black) – $179.99
Retail Price: $189.99
You Save: $10.00
from: WeGotSoccer.com
Thanks once again to Michael Ehrlich for making this review possible and Madeline Kim for the photography.
About Ben Perkins