Adidas Predator Instinct review

The next-gen Predator

From first being introduced in 1994, the Adidas Predator series has been around for a long time. The latest Predator Instinct marks the 20th anniversary of the legendary series of soccer cleats/boots. The instinct retains many of the features of its ancestors while also adding some significant changes , not only in looks but, also how the shoe is built.

At first the boot was to be called as part of the Battle Pack Predator until after the world cup- at which point, Adidas revealed the boot fully with a standalone colourway along with some cool activity for the twentieth anniversary of the Predator series.

The predator Lethal Zones brought radical changes to the Predator series, changing the material from leather to synthetic, and also featuring a variation of the very popular SprintFrame, making them very light when compared to older models.

Rubber patches/strips added to the top of the shoe, designed to increase the friction between the boot and the ball have been increased in size and moved around slightly to ensure maximum control of the ball. The crossed pattern seen in LZ models has been replaced with a zig-zag style pattern which covers most of the upper. The newly introduced welded gel pad could very well be a popular feature for the CTR lovers who were left out in previous instances.

There has been a dramatic change in the pass-zone pad on the instep of the boot, with a new, much bigger design to aid accuracy when passing. While the F50 series focuses on speed, the Instinct helps player ensure maximum control over the ball. This explains why Mesut Özil was chosen as the new face of the Predator series over a record breaking deal. He is called one of the best playmakers in the sport.

Mesut Özil, the new face of the Predator series

The most significant change on the new Predator is the new outsole. The newly featured transparent outsole comes with improved flex movement in the forefoot. The boot will now feel more responsive, eliminating any stiffness that is often felt in new boots. The Instinct has a snug fit and is comfortable to use. Traction-wise the Instinct uses the same Traxion 2.0 system used on the LZ, although the middle stud has been moved slightly forward to improve overall weight distribution.

Another updated feature is the new Control Frame which replaces the Sprint Frame seen on the LZ model. The Control Frame is designed with the knowledge that 10% of the ball contact is in the very front of the soleplate, an addition to give the player greater stability in the forefoot.

The looks on the new Predator is a subjective matter. You either love it or hate it. I personally love the intimidating look given off by the boot. The whole idea behind the Battle Pack is to reinvent the legacy of the ancient war heroes that went to battle covering their bodies in black and white paint that symbolized their tribes and stories. Designed with the intent to strike fear into the opponents, the Battle Pack is in the same way a splitting image of the boots’ identity and the patterns made so to intimidate the opposition on the field.

All new design ready for battle

Weighing in at 276gm, the Instinct is almost 50gms heavier than the LZ variant, especially considering that the stud pattern has not changed. It no longer falls into the “lightweight” category but the increased weight as Adidas claims will give more precise control of the ball.

The Adidas Predator Instinct will be available as FG, SG and AG at online retailers and select Adidas stores across India with price ranging from Rs. 3899 for the kids model to Rs. 8599 for the adult model. The boot is a clear evolution of the Lethal Zones concept, packing enough new features to create a good standalone release. If you’re in the market for a new football boot/soccer cleats, be sure to check this one out.

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