Comeback Next Year - Here is The Full History of the Adidas Predator
Update #2: We have decided to update this article for the second time as we came across awesome illustrations of all Predator generations by TheLimeBath, and as the first Adidas Predator 2017 remake was leaked (confirming our exclusive information).
Rumor: Adidas Will Bring Back the Predator in 2017
Here is the full history of the Adidas Predator (by @TheLimeBath).
Original Article published after Adidas announced that they would discontinue the Predator (May 2015) - It's time to say goodbye to the iconic Adidas Predator Football Boots. Introduced in 1994, Adidas yesterday officially announced what had been clear for quite some time. Adidas discontinues the famous Adidas Predator Soccer Cleats after more than 21 years. We take a look at the most iconic Adidas Predator Cleats. Thanks to Pro Direct Soccer for the pictures.
by @liam_foster
Adidas claims that football has changed over the years, and that "positions, traits and attributes that mattered before are irrelevant now". Therefore, the German brand discontinues all of their four current boo silos, and will continue with the new Adidas X (made for Chaos) and Adidas Ace (made for Control).
While we think that this is a very weak explanation of Adidas, we hoped that the Three Stripes would pay more respect to their most iconic modern football boot, especially since Adidas celebrated the 20-years anniversary of the Predator last year. So let us pay the last tribute to the Adidas Predator.
Adidas Predator Timeline
21 years ago the legend was born when Adidas revealed the original Adidas Predator Soccer Boots. The Adidas Predator 1994 introduced a revolutionary design for football boots with rubber stripes for more power, more swerve and more control than previous boots. Black with white Three Stripes and red details, the Adidas Predator was born.
Released in 1995, the Adidas Predator Rapier introduced the trademark fold-over tongue to the Adidas Predator. The Adidas Predator Touch Soccer Boot (1996) was the first boot to feature a red fold-over tongue, while the boot offered a larger striking zone than the first generations of the Predator.
The Adidas Predator Accelerator is definitely one of the most iconic Adidas Predator Cleats ever. Worn by players such as Zinédine Zidane in the 1998 World Cup, the Adidas Predator Accelerator 1998 Football Boots boast a totally new design for the 3 stripes with a semi-transparent outsole. In 2014, Adidas released a limited edition Adidas Predator Accelerator Remake Boot, which sold out within a few hours.
The Adidas Predator Precision Boot was designed for the Euro 2000 and was the first Adidas Predator Boot to feature replaceable Traxion studs.
In 2002, Adidas launched one the of the most famous Adidas Predator Boots ever. The Adidas Predator Mania 2002 World Cup Boot introduced a remarkable red external heel counter and elasticated strap to secure the fold-over tongue.
Since the Adidas Predator Mania, Adidas was not able to design a Predator Boot which made it a legend. The Adidas Predator Pulse Boot (2004) featured a new Power Pulse sockliner, and was apart from that quite similar to the Adidas Predator Mania Cleats.
The Adidas Predator Absolute was released for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Zinédine Zidane wore a stunning gold and white version of the Adidas Predator Absolute Boot in the 2006 World Cup Final against Italy - the last match of his legendary career.
Adidas went away more and more from the original design of the Adidas Predator. The Adidas Predator Powerswerve (2007) was released in various different paint jobs, while Adidas removed the trademark fold-over with the launch of the Adidas Predator X, the tenth edition of the Predator.
The Adidas Predator LZ (Lethal Zones) Boot was for many the actual end of the Adidas Predator. The Adidas Predator LZ featured a synthetic upper for the first time in the history of the Predator, and introduced a design that was anything but a classic Predator boot design. Made for control, the Adidas Predator LZ featured five different lethal zones on the upper.
The last-ever edition of the Adidas Predator Boots was launched for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Even though the Adidas Predator Instinct has prompted a positive response from players and retailers, Adidas decided to discontinue the Predator.
In the second-half of 2014, Adidas celebrated the 20-years anniversary of the "greatest boot ever" with 14 different editions of the Adidas Predator. On May 19, not even one year after the launch of the Adidas Predator Instinct, Adidas announced that they will stop making the Adidas Predator, the greatest boot of all time.
The end of an era. What's your favorite Adidas Predator Boot? Drop us a line below to say goodbye to the Predator.
