Adidas adipower Predator SL TEASER...

One of the best releases of the year in the boot world came in 2011 and that was the introduction of the Predator SL; a hybrid boot which features the F50 sprint frame and the style/build of the new adiPower Predator. Many consumers are comparing the SL to the regular Predators but before you get started and start to think you should stop because you cannot compare these boots because they are completely different boots.

The SL is made of a synthetic upper which is what you get when you buy a pair of the adizeros. The synthetic has its advantages as much as consumers like to hate on it but with the insertion of a synthetic upper to a boot it increases the boots durability along with making it very easy to break in. Along with the durability and the aspect of easy break in time the synthetic upper drastically decreases the weight of the boot which is what many consumers are all about. I do not know how many times I get asked that question…How much does the boot weigh??? With the weight of the boot decreased it allows players to still feel light and fast in not so great conditions like a rainy day or a water soaked pitch.

Just like on the adipower the SL version has the same off center lacing system that enables the boot to form a glove like fit around your foot and with this fit which I think is the best on the market allows  your striking surface to increase so you have a better/bigger surface area to connect with the ball. The biggest complaint about the SL comes when you get to the Predator Element. In fact the SL has no Predator Element as all because in order to decrease the weight adidas had to forgo the technology in order to keep the weight of the boot down. Some consumers believe that if you call it the Predator SL you should have the technology because at the end of the day it is kind of like false advertising. However, my opinion and the statement I originally made is that you cannot compare these boots at all because with this release adidas created a concept boot for consumers to spark consumers and to show their creative side/imagination. In the end, the release/ introduction of the Predator SL was one of the most unique boot releases this year and from many consumers responses they like the idea of a concept lighter weight boot that has the properties of the predator but by no means is the Predator.

Blogger Note: Check out the teaser images of the next Predator SL color way. Once again, unlike any other boot this boot will fade from bright green to a navy all the way back to the heel. By far this is one of the best color ways I have seen in the boot!

OG PREDATOR...

ADIPOWER CHAMPION'S LEAGUE 12' -LEAK

mi adiPower Predator - Omar Gonzalez

Customized pair of adiPower Predators from mi adidas...

PREDATOR SL RELEASED

It is now fact that the adiPower Predator SL exists and will be available to the public/soccer specialty consumer. I doubt adidas will offer this to the big box store also known as Dick’s Sporting Goods but you never know. There are some boots that I think Nike and adidas need to keep in soccer specific stores in order to keep them unique/limited.

Released in October

Furthermore, with this elite boot adidas created a hybrid/lightweight power boot that weighs 7.4 oz. The difference, between the regular Predator and the SL is the upper along with the Predator technology. In order to decrease the weight adidas used the synthetic/single layer sprintskin upper rather than the Taurus upper which is a result of a difference of 0.4 oz less than the regular Predator. This boot will retail at $250 which will be interesting to see how consumers perceive this SL/Elite boot. In a way, when companies make an elite silo for the elite player/professional sometimes it devalues the regular model but with this price point I think adidas set it at a realistic.  

adiPOWER Predator TRX FG

Still testing out the new adiPower Predator, in the mean time check out this review by GolStoreUSA. They have been doing an awesome job testing out and reviewing some of the newest boots in the industry.

Massive adidas leak 6/15/11

It seems as if adidas is not letting up on their boot releases and the adiPower Predator SL, adiPure SL, and the next color way in the adiZero Prime are on their way to the pitches soon. Check out some of the leaked images of the boots.

 The adipure IV SL is one of the most amazing boots on the market at the moment from adidas. The three stripe company took the beloved adipure IV and made a hybrid version of the classic/sleek heritage boot by putting the Sprint Frame out sole on the boot to decrease the weight of the boot and to make it the perfect modern day speed boot designed with the old school feel/style that all true footballers love.

 The next color way in the Prime is already in production. Weighing in at an astonishing 5.2 oz the boot is the lightest boot on the market. However, due to the cost and seeing that the original adizero is only a little heavier I have seen consumers stay with the regular adizeros due to the high price of the Primes.

With the adiPower Predator recently released many consumers have already begun to look in the future at the adiPower Predator SL version which will be produced and sold sometime this year. In addition, rather then feature the calf skin upper like the normal Predator this boot will use the adidas sprint skin along with the sprint frame out sole which has consumer in a buzz. I am estimating that the Sl will weigh around 6 oz and be a hit with Predator fans.

Fan of a Fan; adiPower Predator next releases

The adiPower will hit retailers this Friday June 10th and to be honest it is one of the most anticipated releases this year probably due to the fact that it is the Predator which has a rich history in the boot world. In addition, due to the fact the the Predator X underachieved as a boot and was not a big hit with Predator fans. This time around adidas has retooled the boot for the modern game in terms of changing the overall weight of the boot drastically. I know this post is a little premature but these colors will be released later this year so keep a look out for these boots/color ways.

Antonio Zea Details the adidas adiPower Predator

Antonio Zea Details the adidas adiPower Predator  

Awesome interview/article with eastbay that interviews Antonio Zea from adidas, who is the Director of Soccer Operations for adidas Soccer in North America. Article talks about the history of the Predator and how soccer boots along with the Predator have evolved over time.

Possible miadidas color ways in adiPOWER Predator.

The release of the adiPower Predator is upon us. Thought I would give you some teaser photos of possible soon to be team specific Predator color ways.

FOOTY GURU introduces the lightest PREDATOR EVER...

After serving the world wide web, i am across the new adidas adipower Predator listed on the WeGotSoccer website ready for preorder with a price of $179.99 price tag. From first glances even though i am a fan of the old power predator these boots look sleek and very attractive with the aque blue upper.

Furthermore, after all the speculation and blacked out pictures of the boots here are the facts you need to know about the lightest predator to ever grace the pitches.

They weigh in at a staggering 8.2 oz

The upper is made of a Taurus Upper like like in the current predator X

Has a new predator element that increases spin and accuracy on the ball.

From popular demand from consumer, adidas took the out sole from the adizero and combined it with Predator technology. The sprint frame out sole decreases the weight dramatically of the boot.

Also to aide in power of the boot adidas re-engineered the PowerSpine element in the out sole which is used/designed to increase shot power.

 The oficial release date will be June 1st and i can tell you that I will for sure be purchasing these boots to test them out.

UPDATES ADIPOWER PREDATOR

Check out the new predator, thanks Aaron for the pictures. Not sure if this is going to be considered a touch boot, speed boot, or a wanna be power boot. What do you think about the soon to be predator?

Golden Balls Testing adiPOWER Predator in Pre-season?

Unlike most testing models which are usually blacked out boots to conceal the appearance of the boots David Beckham has been spotted during pre-season wearing a all white pair of boots that most definitely resemble the next Predator, called the adiPOWER Predator which is expected to hit stores this June 2011. It is very interesting to see DB with an all white pair of boots because all of the other sightings around the globe have been blacked out versions of the soon to be adiPOWER Predator. 

I am very interested to see what DB thinks about the new Predator; Only time will tell but rather then a power boot I think footy fans will perceive it as a speed boot/light weight boot which could hurt the silo especially if Nike introduces the next Total 90 with innovation and creativity. However, like the adizero release the hype surrounding these boots is immense due to the fact it is the herald Predator series and it will be the lightest Predator to date weighing in at 5.8 oz. 

In the end, I believe there is a niche for power boots within the industry and with a power boot also comes more protection which a lot of the speed boots do not offer. 

Do you like the direction the Predator is headed?

AdiPOWER Predator; adidas sells out. RIP power & accuracy

Passion for the Product- above me/footy guru
 T-shirt I made for an interview I had at adidas.

GOOD OLD DAYS...

Besides the hoopla that adidas has set the tone in 2011 by creating the lightest boot on the market, blah blah Lighter is not always better, market gimmicks make poor consumers believe that the lighter the boot the faster you are. You could put messinator and ronnie in a boot that weighs a ton and they are still going to be the fastest players on the pitch. Let me make this clear, players make the boot, the boot does not make the player. You can not teach speed and if you have ever truly been tackled so hard wearing these speed boots you will think twice about how light and rather focus on how much protection is this boot going to offer me. I am more concerned with one of the most popular boots of all time. A boot that changed the game of soccer in terms of technology, style, and comfort. A boot that in the past couple releases has begun to die little by little. What boot is on my mind....

The predator which at one time was the best boot you could buy, now days however people are walking right by it and going for the super light weight boot that looks like something you would wear to a ballet reception. Sure the trend is light weight boots, but I think the predator line has struggled to innovate and put their one of a kind technology what got them to soccer supremacy in the boot world on the back burner and focussed more on how light they could make the boot. With the new adiPower getting ready to hit a store near you, it will be interesting to see if this boot flops like the predator x did on the Footy market. The predator has always been a power boot, a boot that possess the technology to allow you to make that game changing cross or shot that changes the game. Again, the player makes the boot but the predator used to be that go to boot that elite players flocked to in order to raise their game or to get more power/accuracy around their shot. With adidas giving in and making the boots super light you have to think the power, technology, comfort, and protection this boot once produced is now gone. Lighter is not always better and if you are an elite player you need a stable boot that provides comfort/protection in order to get you through your season. Back in college I would take knocks while wearing the vapors and playing a Friday, Sunday schedule it would be hard to recover if I had a bone bruise at the top of my foot...

In the end, only time will tell but in my opinion the past couple of predators have taken a back seat to innovation. I think the power swerve technology is a interesting technology and something that combined with a new upper/rubber knobs then the predator could be the power boot that elite players go to. Making the predator lighter is not the option that I would have taken the series and if adidas was smart they would make a power boot/hybrid that was the weight of 9 oz that packed power behind your shot. I can not imagine how much power of increase in surface area you can get with a boot that weighs 5.8 oz. Should be interesting how consumers perceive this boot and technology. I still believe this boot has all the tools it needs to be the power boot it used to be but ultimately I believe adidas sold out and followed the trend of making a boot as light as possible with a sticker on the boots that says defenders please step on my foot, I have no protection.

Issues i see on the adiPOWER Predator?

How much protection will these boot provide?
RIP power, accuracy? Will this boot be a game changer or has all the technology gone into making it as light as possible?
How durable is this boot going to be? With the sprint frame outsole will the cleats be snapping like they did on the F50?
Will this be the boot/predator that people take a chance on, or will it flop like the predator X?

From the fans of the predator, are you happy where adidas has taken the predator line?

Consumer feedback regarding this post:

"Just checked out your newest blog.....love the Predator t-shirt.

Also love the post. Predators are may favorite footy boots of all time; CTR is 2nd though I have never used them; but appreciate the concept and reviews that I have read about them.

My favorite Predators are the Pulse's. I have a pair of the lower level ones and love them.
I also love the PowerSwerve ones with the ClimaCool technology (love the black and white color).

I am really disappointed in the direction Adidas has taken Predators. I thought their new release was a chance to get back to their roots and make up for the mistakes they made with Predator X........I think adiPower just took an even larger dent out of the Predator legacy. Predators are not meant to be a speed boot. they are pure power and control plain and simple. They are trying too hard to be something they are not; which is very disappointing."

-Anonymous

adidas adiPOWER Predator UPDATES

Since many of you footballers have been interested in the release/specs of the soon to be the lightest predator to ever grace the pitch i decided to do an update post which includes some pictures, specs, and information regarding the make up of the adiPOWER Predator.

In addition, with adidas also releasing the adiPURE SL, Predator SL, Prime and adiZERO II i am excited as a consumer because I have so many options/styles when choosing an adidas boot now.

Released Date: June 2011
Price:$200 USD; Reference SoccerPRO

adiPOWER Predator = 8.2 oz

Upper: Powerspine technology in the forefoot creates maximum shooting power by minimizing the energy lost while shooting. Taurus: a newly developed full-grain calf leather for a glove-like fit. Highly abrasion resistant with low water uptake. Silicon rubber PREDATOR technology for maximum swerve and ball control.

Midsole: Internal chassis construction that holds the revolutionary powerspine, providing never-before-seen shooting power.

Outsole: The sprint frame construction uses geometrical learnings and a new stud shape to offer the perfect balance between light weight and stability. A new dual-density, superlight TRAXION FG outsole for optimum grip and stud pressure distribution on firm natural grass pitches.

Inlay: Pre-molded EVA sockliner with additional anti-slip EVA inserts on the backside.

Keys Facts:

Name: Adidas adiPOWER Predator

Release date: June 2011

Price: $200 USD

Weight: 8.2 oz