Predator
The adidas Predator is the football boot with rubber ridges on the upper, designed for more grip on the ball. Since 1994 it has been one of the best-known football lines from adidas, and today you will also find it as a sneaker for the street. On WOOVIN it is about both: sought-after editions of the boot and lifestyle versions of the first Predator.
The history of the adidas Predator
The idea came from Craig Johnston, an Australian who had played for Liverpool in the 1980s. He experimented with rubber on the upper of a football boot, so players could put more spin and power on the ball. adidas picked up the concept and released the first Predator in 1994.
Many generations followed, with names such as Accelerator and Mania. The long tongue that folds over the laces became a hallmark of the line, and players such as David Beckham and Zinédine Zidane made the Predator world-famous. Recently that classic shape got a second life as a street shoe.
Football boot or sneaker
- Predator Elite FT FG: the current boot with a fold-over tongue (FT) and studs for natural grass (FG, firm ground). Made to play in, but in special editions also a collector’s item.
- Brain Dead versions: based on the first Predator from 1994, with the rubber ridges on the upper, but with a flat rubber outsole instead of studs.
Popular Predator colorways
Collaborations dominate with the Predator. These are the most viewed pairs on WOOVIN:
- Predator x Brain Dead ‘Black’: all black, with croc-print leather between the rubber elements.
- Predator x Brain Dead ‘Black White’: a black upper with light accents on the sole.
- Predator Elite FT FG x Wales Bonner ‘Snakeskin’: khaki with silver and white, with a snakeskin look.
- Predator Elite FT FG x BAPE ‘Green Camo’: BAPE’s green camouflage print with gold details.
- Predator Elite FT FG ‘David Beckham Beam Pink’: pink with black and white, an edition that carries Beckham’s name.
What is the difference between the Predator and the F50?
Both are adidas football boots, but with a different purpose. The Predator is all about ball control and shooting power, with rubber on the upper. The adidas F50 arrived in 2004 as a light, fast boot and is now also sold as a sneaker. If you want a football background in a calm, flat sneaker, the adidas Samba is the classic choice.
How does the adidas Predator fit?
According to adidas, the Predator Elite FT FG fits true to size, so you order your usual adidas size. A football boot should sit snugly around your foot, so do not go bigger for extra room. There is no separate advice for the Brain Dead versions; start from your usual adidas size and compare with the size chart on the product page.
Buy the adidas Predator at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find the Predator both as a football boot in editions with Wales Bonner, BAPE and David Beckham and in the street versions by Brain Dead. Pay close attention to the name: if it says FG, it is a studded boot for the pitch. Looking for something for everyday wear? Then choose a Brain Dead pair.
