Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
Earlier this year, adidas announced their bold plans to release 14 special Predator Instinct boots before the end of 2014. We had never seen so many versions of one boot released in such a short space of time. But, it was a case of “go big or go home” as adidas celebrate the famous boot’s 20th anniversary.
The Hunt Series is the final edition of the 14 special Predator Instinct boots that have been launched during 2014. The latest collection follows the Predator Instinct Supernatural, the Crazylight Pack and the Revenge Pack, a heritage set of three Predators based on the original designs of the 1994 Predator, the 1998 Accelerator and the 2002 Mania.
What does the future hold for the Predator? Rumor has it that this is it – the range is set to be retired after going through a fast paced and historical series of released. That would be a bold and incredibly brave move. Either way, we take a look at this complete 14 boot series and re-live each special edition of the boot.
#1 – Battle Pack
Released: May 14th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $149.99.
Without “officially” detailing the new Predator Instinct, Adidas introduced their latest hybrid-power boot offering. It has become a staple for Adidas to have a fresh edition of a Predator released and available for players to use at World Cups, and it hit shelves a month before it all kicked off.
In similar fashion to their predecessor, adidas has gone with several different “lethal zones” on the Instinct where they use a rubber compound to improve power and touch on the ball. Each zone has its own purpose and the compound of each is shaped and positioned very differently. There are 4 primary regions and then a new gel pad region that sits along the instep. Added to that, a new transparent outsole is introduced with a control frame design to help improve flexibility while also offering some underfoot touch benefits. From a weight perspective, they are slightly higher than we have seen from recent Predator releases, coming in at 10oz.
#2 – Predator Tongue
Released: July 15th (details)
Availability: Unreleased to the public!
The limited edition Predator Eyes along with the Predator Tongue didn’t go to market. Released in limited quantities, these exclusive boots are more likely to have ended up in special collectors hands and to some lucky (and very happy) folks in the industry. The Eyes symbolized specific detailing seen on some of the original Predator releases like the Rapier. Then the Tongue represented the iconic lace cover found on the the likes of the Predator Touch and Predator Accelerator.
#3 – Predator Eyes
Released: July 15th (details)
Availability: Unreleased to the public!
The limited edition Predator Eyes along with the Predator Tongue didn’t go to market. Released in limited quantities, these exclusive boots are more likely to have ended up in special collectors hands and to some lucky (and very happy) folks in the industry. The Eyes symbolized specific detailing seen on some of the original Predator releases like the Rapier. Then the Tongue represented the iconic lace cover found on the the likes of the Predator Touch and Predator Accelerator.
#4 – Instinct Official Release
Released: July 16th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $219.99.
This was the version used by Adidas to officially release the range, coming a traditional Predator Black/Red/White. We found out all the performance characteristics of the range as well as why adidas chose the design; “The design patterns of the Predator Instinct range is inspired by the predatory animals that use their instinct to hunt.”
#5 – Instinct Core Black
Released: July 20th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $169.99.
Featuring a classic black upper, adidas kept this one modern with some Neon Orange detailing and an off-grey forefoot print for added effect.
#6 – Instinct Whiteout
Released: August 4th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $179.99.
The signature “Whiteout” release in the series – they are no other colors featured on the boot!
#7 – Instinct Blackout
Released: August 4th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $219.99.
The signature “Blackout” release in the series – they are no other colors featured on the boot!
#8 – Instinct White/Red
Released: August 10th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $179.99.
On this edition, adidas reversed the iconic Predator colors by adding Red and Black detailing across a primary White based upper.
#9 – Predator 94 Remake
Released: August 18th (details)
Availability: Sold Out – 1,825 pairs available worldwide.
Designed to honor the 20th anniversary of the original boots release, which introduced us to rubber fins on the forefoot for the first time, the modern day release holds the same fundamentals we attributes to the range. The Predator Instinct is the boot used as the base or original building block, with a microfiber upper covered in the iconic rubber fins to enhance power, swerve and control. Weigh in at 10.5oz.
#10 – Predator Accelerator Remake
Released: August 25th (details)
Availability: Sold Out – 1,825 pairs available worldwide.
For most Predator enthusiasts, the 1998 release stands amongst the top of the legendary range, and these sold out in a matter of minutes. At 9.8oz, they were dramatically updated for 2014, with SL rubber zones placed across the Predator Zone for extra power and swerve on the ball. Visually, they are extremely similar and adidas has done an amazing job of creating a very clean and modern version of the iconic boot.
#11 – Predator Mania Remake
Released: September 1st (details)
Availability: Sold Out – 1,825 pairs available worldwide.
Built around the framework of the current Predator Instinct, this remake version of the Mania is modernized in design but it still features the iconic appearance of the original. “A cleat that shaped history, ready to take on the future.” This version features a Hybridtouch upper, with an SL rubber across that iconic strikezone and they weigh in at 9.6oz.
#12 – Crazylight Pack
Released: October 20th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $249.99.
The Predator Crazylight has been designed to combine the complete control of the Predator Instinct with the lightweight technology of the Crazylight range. The boot retains the lethal zone, control pad and pass pad technology of the Predator Instinct while introducing sprintframe technology, which drastically reduces weight while maintaining the trademark control of the Predator range. They weigh in at just 7.5oz.
#13 – Supernatural Pack
Released: October 31st (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $219.99.
The brand new Predator Instinct Supernatural aims to thrill players and fans alike with inspiring luminous colors, as the skin of the Predator boots adapt and evolve in order to be seen on the darkest of nights.
#14 – Hunt Pack
Released: November 15th (details)
Availability: Currently listed at $219.99.
The final chapter remaining in the 2014 Predator story, before a new beginning for the legendary boot. This version features a glow in the dark appearance, ensuring players stand out across the globe as the nights get ever darker this winter.
There you have it – the 14 editions of the Predator Instinct. For more details on the performance of the boot, make sure to check out our Adidas Predator Instinct Review.
If you got to choose just one boot from the series, which one would it be and why?
What about the solar blue edition, Bryan? I thought that the battle pack edition was not one of the 14 releases, but the solar Blue edition was?
I think there might have been more, like the blue and black version.
What about the red/black/white versions seen in this youtube video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRzpmuRaavY&l…
The Crazylight have to be the best as they are almost like a speed boot and a control boot together!