History of the Adidas Predator
The Predator was released in 1994, right in the middle of what many call the “Golden Age of football”. The sport was growing massively in terms of popularity and clubs were making an increasing amount of money from merchandising as well as increased TV rights. The Predator was based on the Tiempo, which was Adidas’ first synthetic-leather football boot released in 1990 and was worn by the likes of Johan Cruyff, Matthias Sammer, Gary Lineker, and Roberto Baggio. The Predator would become more than just a football boot, it would become a fashion statement, a status symbol, and a boot that would be talked about for decades to come. The Predator was based on the 1994 World Cup held in the USA. Adidas wanted to create a boot that would make an impact as a fashion item and naturally, the World Cup was the perfect event to do this.
Why did Adidas release the Predator?
The reason Adidas decided to release the Predator was to try and increase sales of their football boots. They wanted to make their boots stand out and have a unique look that no other brands would have. The Predator was an attempt to make the boots both appealing to the eye and functional for the game of football. The Predator was a revolutionary boot for the time and although there were other boots with similar features, the Predator became the most iconic boot in the history of football.
Design and features of the first Predator
The first Predator was released in 1994. It was mainly black with green and red details on the upper. It featured a synthetic upper with a plastic lace cover and an external heel counter. The most iconic element of the first Predator was the “fangs” on the upper that were made out of rubber. However, they were not just for aesthetic purposes, they also helped with traction and grip in wet conditions. There were also studs on the sole that were called “split toes”. This was a revolutionary design as it allowed players to increase the angle of the studs. This allowed you to change your direction and ball control easier.
How effective are the Predators?
The first Predator was one of the most effective football boots of all time. It was revolutionary in terms of style, design, and functionality. The boot had a synthetic upper which, at the time, was unique and more durable than leather. The split toe, which became a signature feature of the Predator, allowed players to make the most out of their first touch and ball control. It also allowed you to kick the ball in different directions, which meant you could dribble more effectively and creatively. The rubber “fangs” were also very effective in assisting with ball control. The Predator was also extremely comfortable and lightweight, making it a perfect boot for almost any foot type.
Is the sole made out of rubber?
The sole of the Predator was made out of synthetic rubber material. This allowed the boots to be extremely lightweight and durable. The rubber sole also made the boots extremely sticky and they had fantastic traction and grip in all conditions.
The adiZero Predator
The adiZero Predator is the most modern and contemporary version of the Predator. It was released in 2004 and was worn by players like Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo. This boot was extremely lightweight and offered an improved fit. The upper was made out of synthetic leather, which meant the boot was more durable and offered better ball control. The sole of the adiZero Predator was made out of a synthetic material called “adiWear”. This sole offered superior traction and added durability. The Predator also featured an external heel counter and lace cover.
adidas f50 Predator TRX FG - 2012 FIFA World Cup Boot
The Adidas f50 Predator TRX FG was the boot that was used during the 2012 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The Predator was the first boot Adidas released with the “Foam Concept”, which meant the boot had a lightweight and integrated foam construction. This made the boot extremely lightweight and comfortable. It also featured an external heel counter and an external loop made out of synthetic leather. The Predator featured a synthetic upper and a synthetic sole with a “Sticky” rubber outsole.
Conclusion
The Predator has been a classic release from Adidas since the mid-1990s and is without a doubt one of the most iconic football boots ever released. The Predator has been a huge success for Adidas and both current and past versions of the boot have been loved by many football fans. The Predator has been a trendsetter and has been heavily influential in both football and fashion. The boot has become a status symbol and has been worn by famous footballers and celebrities.
The Predator has been a huge success for Adidas and both current and past versions of the boot have been loved by many football fans. The Predator has been a
trendsetter and has been heavily influential in both football and fashion. The boot has become a status symbol and has been worn by famous footballers and celebrities.