Is The adidas Predator 18+ A Real Predator?

When adidas announced the reintroduction of the fabled Predator silo a week ago, it was met with a huge wave of excitement. Upon its arrival, the usual “is this really a Predator?” sentiments were shared vast and wide from fans still craving “old-school.”

Lets be honest for a second; the Predator silo and its vast player fan club are a tough bunch to figure out. They want the next big thing, yet they still want the Predator to hold onto its original core values. Yes, the original versions of the boot have stood the test of time in theory, with many fans still calling for them to be released as they were. But in reality they really don’t hold up against modern-day releases that embrace new materials and manufacturing techniques. If adidas were to release the original versions, players would be ecstatic until the boots actually arrived in hand. Then the reality of a +10oz boot with stiff leather upper and large rubber Predator elements would kick in. They were a completely different type of boot created in a different era of boot technology.

Find the current Predator line-up available at soccer.com.

So, what does the adidas Predator 18+ have on offer and does it match what you’d expect from the silo? My answer is a definite YES. What is it that has continually fueled the Predator range? Answer: innovation. Creating designs that think outside the box and take advantage of Predator angles has been the repeated theme of the series. This boot is no different. Just look at the Controlskin upper, with plenty of raised texturing through the forefoot. It is not your typical added rubber element to enhance power while striking the ball. Instead, the material is grafted in a tiered design, providing additional control via a very flexible feeling material. It works and provides players with a different type of feel on the ball.

it might not be the popular answer, and this release doesn’t qualify as being power specific like older models. But, when you consider the characteristics of a standard Predator with what these bring to the table, they easily qualify. My advice; don’t get hung up on what you expect from the past, instead embrace the innovative traits associated with this new type of Predator.

Next step in the journey with this Predator is to test and complete a comprehensive review on. That is already in the works, and should be available soon. If you have any questions you’d like answered on the Predator 18+, leave them in the comments below!

If you want to see the current Predator line-up, find them at soccer.com.