The Timeline of the adidas Predator
We take a look back at every generation of the iconic adidas Predator football boots
It's the boot that has won it all, been worn by the world's greatest and produced countless stunning moments that have changed the course of history. So as adidas launch a new generation on the 30th anniversary of its founding year we're taking a look back at the full journey... This here is the evolution of the adidas Predator. A timeline of greatness...
1994 Predator
The boot that started it all. This was a complete shake up to the boot market, bringing in a revolutionary new tech in the rubber elements, designed to improve power and swerve. This is where it all started, ladies and gents. Proper beast of a boot. Absolute tyre.
Rapier (1995)
The first Predator with a fold-over tongue – a staple in Predator design for the next 15 years. A slight update on the first ever edition and still on the chunky side, but at the time this was cutting innovation and a boot like absolutely no other on the market.
Touch (1996)
Done with the upper for now, save for some minor tweaks, notably to the tongue, and the bigger influence of the red colour, adidas turned their attention to the underside, with the introduction of directional Traxion blades for the first time. Yep, Gascoigne 1996 against Scotland.
Accelerator (1998)
The Accelerator just screams peak-era Zidane. That new signature Three Stripe execution is simply iconic. A template that adidas have revisited for numerous remakes and even spilled into streetwear such as the influence of this boot. If this is your favourite Predator then at some point in your life you made the conscious decision to grow a pair of curtains. Which is ironic because if this is your favourite Predator then you have impeccable taste. We'd probably be mates because we understand that you're angry we've used a photo of the SG and not the FG.
Precision (2000)
Two years on the Predator Precision arrived, once again providing yet another iconic execution for the Three Stripes. For the first time we got Velcro on the fold-over tongue to hold it in place. Memories of David Beckham scoring that free kick against Greece to send England to the World Cup. Would probably get more credit if it wasn't wedged between the two greatest Predator launches of all time.
Mania (2002)
Has to be a top down view to show off those iconic rubber swerves. Famous for the “champagne” colour worn by Beckham at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the 2002 Predator Mania saw the fold-over tongue held in place with a strap that wrapped underfoot. This was the one, this is the one you think of when someone says Predator.
Pulse (2004)
Another significant design was launched for EURO 2004, with the main feature on the Pulse being its new insole feature, the “Power Pulse System”. This sock liner shifted weight in the boot to help offer more power upon impact.
Absolute (2006)
Ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany the Predator Absolute strolled onto the scene. It brought with it the Power Pulse System from the Predator Pulse, and it also featured interchangeable sock liners. Most notable look was the stunning, all-gold version made exclusively for Zinedine Zidane, one that was recreated on the Accelerator for the 25 years of Predator collection.
Powerswerve (2007)
Again, apologies for using the SG version. We're as disappointed as you are, trust us. If you think the Powerswerve was the greatest Predator of all time, you are not alone. You're also most likely a Liverpool fan, a Steven Gerrard fan, or Steven Gerrard. The last proper Predator for a while? You said it... not us...
X (2009)
Screams 'Rugby'. Can we move on? Yeah? Good.
adiPower (2011)
If this is your favourite Predator then you're either Robin van Persie or too young to remember a time before 2008, and we can't blame you for either of those things. To be fair, if the X was everything a tongue-less Predator shouldn't be then the adiPower made up for it. The adiPower Predator saw the introduction of a SprintFrame outsole, originally built for the F50. It was designed to reduce the overall weight, offering a lighter fit for the modern player. Underrated, these, and super lightweight at the time.
LZ II (2013)
A year on and adidas upgraded the Predator LZ and released the second iteration. The Predator LZ II featured a HybridTouch upper and reconfigured Traxion 2.0 outsole. Proper Pred DNA in here, and a streamlined version of the LZ I.
LZ II (2013)
A year on and adidas upgraded the Predator LZ and released the second iteration. The Predator LZ II featured a HybridTouch upper and reconfigured Traxion 2.0 outsole. Proper Pred DNA in here, and a streamlined version of the LZ I.
Instinct (2014)
20 years on from the release of the original we got the Predator Instinct. It featured rubber elements that were slightly raised to improve power and control along with a passing pad on the inside of the boots. HybridTouch was built into the upper to once again keep weight minimal for the faster, modern game. The last Pred for a little while.
Predator 18+ (2018)
After a retirement of 4 years, the Predator was back, but it followed on more from the ACE that came before it rather than picking up where the last Predator, the Instinct, had left off, with ridges in the forefoot emulating the signature rubber elements in look alone. The main feature of note on the Predator 18 was that it took the key innovation from the ACE in going laceless.
Predator 19+ (2019)
Not a lot to report on here, with only some very subtle switch ups from the 2018 model. Firstly, the plastic heel finish was replaced by a ridged rubber design, and secondly the Forged Primeknit ridges (the shooting technology, if you like) were emphasised with black colouring to give the overall design a more traditional Predator vibe. Yeah, basically the same.
Mutator (2020)
If someone showed you a photo ten years ago of a what a Predator in 2020 would look like, this probably wouldn't be far off would it? Radical and divisive, the Mutator saw the welcome return of rubber and the introduction of DemonSkin – 406 spikes deliberately crafted to wrap the front and side of the boot in a formation that aligns to key contact points with the ball.
Freak (2021)
Ramping up the aggressive aesthetics with an all new layout for the DemonSkin spikes. 11 colourways released of this boot, but not one of them was in the traditional black, white, red setup. Stop teasing us adidas, yeah?
Edge (2022)
The Predator Edge paid homage to the original Lethal Zones in terms of aesthetics and approach, but it brought modern technology into the design. A pretty big departure from the Freak and Mutator,backed with logic... but just a bit... chunky.
Accuracy (2023)
Created with the aim of providing precision and consistency, mainly to the goalscorers out there, it featured minimalistic rubber elements strategically placed in the kicking zone for grip to the ball, providing it with a look that is more in keeping with the Freak and Mutator and leads us nicely onto the comeback of all comebacks.
Predator (2024)
The tongue is BACK. For 2024, the adidas Predator celebrates its 30th year anniversary in iconic style as the legendary fold over and elasticated tongue is back in the most traditional of colourway. This here is the lightest ever adidas Predator and it comes with a choice of tongue, laced or laceless. Get ready to see a whole lot more of it on the feet of your favourite players this year.
Shop the full adidas Predator football boots collection in the World's Largest Bootroom at Pro:Direct Soccer.