With the launch of the new adidas Predator Mutator football boots, the German brand has once again demonstrated its determination to set the pace in the race to become one of the leading names in world football. These new adidas Predator are not just a simple update: they come with significant new features and a good dose of technology.
And, as is now customary with major adidas launches in the world of football, the brand doesn’t stop at boots. The collection has been expanded to include a range of products such as goalkeeper gloves and various lifestyle items, designed for those who want to carry the Predator aesthetic off the pitch as well.
New adidas Predator 20.1 TR shoes
The adidas Predator 20.1 TR uses a material very similar to that found in football boots. It retains the Primeknit, as well as a pattern of seams and internal reinforcements that is clearly reminiscent of the football version. The result is a shoe that offers a snug fit and support very similar to that of football boots. That said, it’s important to realise that this isn’t a football boot adapted for street wear. The construction has been modified to meet the needs of an everyday trainer, and that’s where adidas has made the right choice.
If we compare these shoes with the adidas Predator 20+, the most obvious difference lies in the fit. Whilst a football boot is designed to wrap around the foot and keep it firmly in place during changes of direction, a street shoe needs to offer much greater freedom and comfort for walking for hours on end. That’s why the ankle area is considerably more open and the last is also more generous. It’s a necessary difference and, in our view, one that adidas has handled well: directly transferring the fit of a Predator football boot to a lifestyle shoe would have been a mistake.
Demonskin technology also in lifestyle shoes
The star feature of the Predator range, Demonskin technology, is also present in these shoes, albeit in a much more understated form. The finish is much smoother and less aggressive than that found on the top-of-the-range Predator models. Rather than covering the entire surface, adidas has concentrated the technology on the side panels. The central part is left uncovered, a decision that makes sense when you consider that this is a boot designed for everyday wear rather than to improve ball contact.
The sole of these shoes also sets them apart significantly from football boots. In this case, adidas retains its well-known Boost cushioning technology, a platform with many years of experience within the German brand and one that continues to stand out for its comfort. Thanks to this technology, the Predator 20.1 TR offers a soft and comfortable stride, to the extent that you can wear them for hours with a feel closer to that of running shoes than football-inspired shoes. And this is precisely one of their key strengths: adidas has managed to transfer the aesthetic and part of the Predator’s DNA to a sneaker that’s genuinely comfortable for everyday wear. A groundbreaking design, plenty of personality and comfort that’s hard to fault.
