After being released last year as the lightest Predator to date, many people had high hopes for the new Predator. Weighing in at a listed 7.8 ounces, which is equivalent to a Superfly III, the adiPower has taken the famed Predator series known to help curve and shot power and added lightweight features to cut weight.

Comfort and Fit

Again with a Predator release, Adidas has opted to stay away from kangaroo leather and has chosen a lighter, more water resistant leather in a Taurus leather. Taurus is a form of calfskin leather and while it is very soft and supple, it is definitely not as soft as a k-leather. Despite this, it is very comfortable on your foot and it forms to your foot very nicely.

Fit wise, this boot will run true to size. Something to note, is that the leather does stretch quite a bit. So, if you get your boots and they feel a little tight, you do not need to worry. Once you break these in, the leather will have expanded and will have a fit around your foot that will be really comfortable.

Breaking In

Because of the use of the Sprint Frame outsole first featured on the adiZero, this boot does take a little time to fully break in. The Sprint Frame is very stiff to start out with, but after a few training sessions it should be flexible and ready to take into a game. The leather is nice and soft right out of the box, and will be comfortable when on your feet. Adidas has also added a suede heel liner on this release and it really keeps your feet in place and doesn’t give any blisters during the first few wears. I did feel occasional stud pressure, but this soon went away after the insole molded to my feet.

Technology

As a power boot, a lot of technology is expected to be packed on the boot. Adidas has redesigned the Predator Element with the adiPower. A silicon pad that is very grippy and abrasive has been placed along the instep to help the ball rebound off for a more powerful strike, and to also help add curve to your shots. Along the three stripes on the instep, there are grooves or channels in the rubber that are said to help get spin on the ball. I found the Predator Element to make it feel really good when shooting, as the ball seemed to just fly off my foot.

On the outsole of the boot, Adidas has placed their Powerspine in the forefoot. Basically, this is a stiffener that is meant to help with power because your foot won’t flex back when you shoot, therefore not losing any speed on your shot. I cannot tell if this actually works, but it definitely will not hurt your performance or shot at all.

Performance

During in game play, the results I had with these were fantastic. The thin leather upper is very responsive and you can feel the ball very well when dribbling. Shooting with these boots is also a big plus. The silicon region adds nice padding when striking the ball, something I really enjoyed. Also, when doing a curving shot, I felt that the Predator Element gripped and added some friction, therefore making it feel like you could curve it better.

Adding to the appeal of the boot. At 7.8 ounces, this boot is extremely light for a power boot, and it feels very light on your feet. Adidas has really been improving the weight of their shoes, something many people are looking closely at nowadays.

Durability

The durability with the adiPowers is definitely not the best on the market. After a few weeks of wear, you will see the upper starting to separate from the small toe cap. If you play on turf, this will just worsen the effects and the paint on the upper will start to chip off. You won’t have problems like cracked soleplates or holes in the upper, but the durability is definitely a concern.

All in All:

Adidas has really started to turn people’s heads with this release with the combination of power and speed. I found it to perform very well, and I would recommend this boot to anyone who is really interested in it. Another bonus is that you can pick them up for extremely cheap now that they have been out for a while.

Performance: 9/10

Comfort: 7/10

Durability: 7/10

Technology: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Breaking In Period: Medium

Feet Width it can Fit: Mid-Narrow, Medium, Wide