Predator in the high street (Adidas Predator)

Member Name: JPShooter

Product:	Adidas Predator
Date:	04/06/01 (522 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Best boots on the market, velcro tongue, durable

Disadvantages: Pricey, long laces

Adidas Predator boots have long since set the standard for other football boots to follow, and this pair are no exception.

The Predator Precision range are Adidas' best yet, bar a few oddities. For one, the strange tendency a lot of people found (including myself) for the back studs to wobble and appear loose, when they're actually tight. This could be a nuisance, but I prefer to concentrate on what really matters - how they help me play.

The Predator fins have been shrunk to very small slits placed strategically around the boot, which all of my mates were dubious about the actual affect of. To give a recent example, I have been playing football at University with my friends recently, in normal trainers. I went home for the Easter, and when I used my boots again I had to adjust my free-kicks and long range passes as they were curling more than I had wanted them to - as I was used to trainers.

The blades do make a difference to turning on the move, which is useful. The velcro tongue is a very good addition, as the last pair would flap about and cause general mayhem around my feet. I replaced the laces in my pair, as I found the ones supplied were too long, and hence flapped about as well. Cleaning the boots is by no means easy. It is difficult to get the mud out of the Predator fins and from under the blades. However, if a bit of elbow grease is what I pay for improved play then so be it. And if all there is to complain about is lace length, then there can't be too much wrong.

Unfortunately we also pay £120, and that price doesn't look like dropping until the next pair come out in 2002. If I was looking to buy a pair now, I wouldn't buy these boots, but wait for the new range next year. Try to buy some second hand - if they're in good nick (which they should be, if you're going to spend that much on boots you should clean them!) you could probably pick a pair up for less than £25.

Summary: