Adidas Predator

Adidas Predator + Absolado TRX TF

Adidas Predator is a range of football boots developed by German sportswear manufacturers, Adidas. The common feature of the Predator range is the presence of rubber patches or strips on the top of the shoe that, according to Adidas, increase power, swerve, and accuracy when kicking the football.

The first Predator boot was launched in 1994 after Craig Johnston, a retired Australian footballer who played for Liverpool, came up with the idea of attaching rubber patches with teeth-like dimples to the outside of the kicking area of the boot in order to allow the wearer to apply extra spin to the ball when passing and shooting. The second Predator boot, the Predator Rapier, very similar to the first, was launched in 1995. Ever since, Adidas has launched a new model every two years to coincide the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Football Championship. The Predator range of boots has placed a particular emphasis on technological innovations in boot technology, while an increased attention to design has allowed increasingly sophisticated marketing strategies.

Adidas' current product line includes two models incorporating Predator technology:

• the Predator PowerSwerve, with a kangaroo leather upper, a two-piece studded outsole and PowerPulse technology in the forefoot. It is available in firm ground (FG) and soft ground (SG) configurations. A model of the boot developed specifically for David Beckham includes an upper made from a lightweight microfibre, in response to protests from the Viva! animal rights group.
• Predator Absolado PowerSwerve, aesthetically similar to the Predator PowerSwerve, but without PowerPulse technology.

History of Predator models

For almost every major tournament, a new Predator was released:

• Predator (World Cup 1994)
• Predator Rapier (1995, not released for a major tournament)
• Predator Touch (EURO 1996)
• Predator Accelerator (World Cup 1998)
• Predator Precision (EURO 2000; minor update in 2001 Precision 2)
• Predator Mania (World Cup 2002)
• Predator Pulse (EURO 2004; minor update in 2005 Pulse 2)
• Predator Absolute (World Cup 2006; Rugby version in November 2006 Absolute Special)
• Predator PowerSwerve (EURO 2008; Rugby version in February 2008 Powerswerve Special)

The eponymous Predator elements have developed over time. However, the principle behind the project involves attaching rubber strips to the forefoot, in order to increase the acceleration of the ball. Originally, the focus in Predator commercials was on shooting strength, but this gradually changed to focus more on the effect on ball spin and precision.

The first Predators were also available without Predator elements under a different name. While the Predators were made of black Kangaroo-Leather with white stripes and red elements, the equivalent boots without Predator technology were black with white stripes and blue accents. However, the Precision equivalent was black and white only, while the Supernova (Predator Mania without the Predator elements) was black with either silver or gold heel caps and stripes.

The Predator Touch meant a change in many ways. It featured the Traxion (trx) studs, which were rectangular and anatomically placed. Before, studs had always been round. For professional players who preferred the old studs, Adidas produced special Predators with a different outsole. However, these were not made available publicly.

The Predator Rapiers also were the first Adidas soccer boots available in different colours. Up to then, Adidas soccer boots had always been made out of black leather. The Rapid, however, was also (as a limited series) available in white and red. The same is true for the following two models. Beginning with the Mania, Adidas started to produce its Predator boots in countless colour variants. Moreover, one color was called David Beckham's style.

The Predator Precision introduced replaceable Traxion studs that were fitted by the tightening of a minute screw. These studs were available in various lengths that made the boot adjustable to ground conditions as is possible with the classic screw-in soft-ground studs. There were however some reliability problems, as the studs would come loose quite often, thus needing more constant maintenance than the classic screw-ins.

PowerPulse technology was introduced in the Predator Pulse in late 2003, and was continued with the Predator Absolute in November 2005. The PowerPulse sockliner shifts the boot’s centre of gravity closer to the point of impact, allowing more powerful shots on goal.

The Predator PowerSwerve (launched November 2007) saw this time around the introduction of hi-tech foam, used in the Predator element to allow more rebound power, more swerve and improved control through longer contact with the ball. Football legend Zinédine Zidane helped to develop the new Predator PowerSwerve boot. After ending his active career, he worked together with the adidas innovation team (a.i.t) in the further evolution of the new boot. By thoroughly testing the new model, Zinédine Zidane has helped to take quality and fit of this boot to a new level. The ninth generation of the Predator family sets new standards, in particular with regard to power, swerve and control. Scientific tests have shown that, in comparison to its predecessor, the Predator PowerSwerve can achieve up to eight percent more swerve and increase the power behind every shot by around three percent. The Dynamic PowerPulse technology in the sole of the boot and the special hi-tech foam in the forefoot upper material make these improvements possible. The PowerPulse element filled with tungsten powder, which shifts weight toward the point of impact, enables players to put more power behind every shot.

The development of the Powerswerve Special (a rugby version) continued the tradition. A wider last in the boot, and rugby hybrid studs were added, along with many other features.

Famous users

Famous users of the Predator shoe include David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Juan Roman Riquelme, Michael Ballack, Simao, Alessandro Nesta, Raúl González, Juninho Pernambucano, Edwin van der Sar, Petr Cech, Anderson, Patrick Vieira, Dimitar Berbatov, Alessandro Del Piero, Cristian Chivu, Xavi and Dirk Kuyt. Players who wear Predators, but have ratired include Zinedine Zidane, Paul Gascoigne, Daniele De Rossi, Paul Ince, Mark van Bommel and Manuel Rui Costa.

The Predators are now a very popular boot in rugby union and famous users include Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, David Humphreys, Ronan O'Gara, James Hook, Stephen Jones, Francois Steyn, Matt Giteau, Bryan Habana, Mike Catt, Danny Cipriani, Byron Kelleher, Nick Evans and Luke McAlister.