Adidas released not too long ago the Predator 18.1 football boots in the old school red and black colourway. Okay, we’re very excited. Very, very excited.
Why are we excited for them? Nostalgia, that’s why. Back in the day, every kid watched David Beckham bend free-kicks in wearing his Predators, and if you were lucky enough to persuade your mum to take you on a trip to Sport Direct (or JJB Sports if you’re old enough: R.I.P).
Are Adidas’ Predator 18.1 football boots worth buying?
Click here to check the current low price on adidas.co.uk
Appearance – 10/10
Adidas Predator 18.1 football boots
It’s not often we’d give the big ten for looks, but these beauties are the type of boots you’d be buying drinks for all night. An old-school boot with a modern twist is how we would describe these Predators. Of course, they had to be in the traditional black, red and white colours, and they look spectacular. Like any good update of an original model, these make the old Predators look dated and old-fashioned.
The addition of the ankle collar makes the Predator 18.1 boots look modern, and yet is not so over the top and obvious that it would deter anyone who isn’t Neymar from buying them. It’s a moderate collar, not one of those huge ones which gos half way up your leg.
Even the laces part of them just seems so tidy. It is an odd word to use but it really does fit with the visual. They’re tidy. And in fact, everything about the boots are tidy – shout out Nessa.
Features – 10/10
Adidas Predator 18.1 football boots – bottom view
Features, oh where do we start? Well, we’re going to start with the ankle collar. The Primeknit material that’s similar to the Ace16+ Purecontrols. It provides ventilation and flexibility to the ankle, and allows for movement while still keeping the foot secure and locked in. It also expands as the foot moves which makes sure that the boot is sufficiently tight at all times.
The Controlskin upper is designed to enhance control to the absolute maximum. It allows for a glue-tight touch in all different weather conditions. A moulded heel also adds to this control, as it gives players the freedom to move with excellent support from the back of the boot.
A forged knit midfoot ensures that further stability is offered without the need or an internal cage. What’s more, there isn’t even a tongue with the boot. In previous years, a boot’s tongue has been used as a way to add to the design and visual appeal. But this time, Adidas said nay. Nay, we will not conform to social norms. We will break moulds and be brave. To be fair, if you stick Pogba in any boot it will probably do well, but still, bravo Adidas! They’re somehow managed to even make the laces look spectacular!
Finally, and it is the most boring part of a boot but it is relevant so we have to mention it; the stud configuration. We won’t bore you too much with the specifics, but basically, it’s a unique figuration which allows for greater traction. Simple.
Value for money 10/10
Adidas Predator 18.1 football boots – side view
We say this a lot about top of the range boots, but obviously, with the Predators being so highly anticipated, the price does not make these a cheap purchase. Now we usually would partially-criticise or even doc a rating point for the expensive price point of the latest high-end releases. However (and it is a significant however), this boot offers a plethora of different features that actually make the price very good value.
If you’re wanting to spend more than £100 on a pair of boots, these are absolutely the ones to get. They will not be a waste of money.
Pro advocates – 9.9/10
Adidas Predator 18.1 football boots – top view
David Beckham is the big name here. He’s the poster boy for the Predators, even now, and doesn’t even play – he does run new Miami-based ‘soccer’ teams though!
In terms of the current players, Dele Alli, Nemanja Matic and Mesut Ozil all wear the new Adidas predators. The biggest name though is World Cup-winner Paul Pogba, who is perhaps more used to donning his own personalised ‘Pogbooms.’
Anyway, at the end of the day, the players who are representing Adidas for these Predator 18.1 boots are footballing royalty.
Zidane wears the Adidas Predator 18.1 football boots
In terms of the model history, what more could be said. From its modest inception in 1994, to its booming period in a decade later when the likes of Beckham and Zinedine Zidane were sporting them, the Predators are perhaps the most famous brand of boot. They really don’t get as big as these.
So, we rated them a 9.9, and we felt that was just. We wanted to continue with the ten-star theme, but that would give them an average rating of ten out of ten. That cannot be done. Nothing in this world is perfect… NOTHING WE TELL YOU. So we just couldn’t let these (or any boot for that matter) receive a perfect rating. Maybe, when the day comes that FBG releases our own orange and black boots, there will be a ‘perfect boot.’ But until then, these Predators are as close as we’re going to get.
Final verdict on the Adidas Predator 18.1 football boots
We can’t sing the Predator 18.1 boots’ praises enough. What we felt was the biggest positive of them was that they are not specifically tailored to just one position. Any player could wear them, from keeper to striker. Admittedly, midfielders are shown to wear them the most, but they are just very versatile models.
But what more can we say about the latest Predators that we haven’t already said? The hype was huge building up to their release, and they certainly did not disappoint. Should you get the Adidas Predator 18.1 boots? Absolutely. Will the Adidas Predator 18.1 boots make you a better footballer? Definitely. If you were to ever listen to us about anything we ever say, make it be about these Predators.
Click here to check the current low price on adidas.co.uk