One of the most iconic football boots is making a comeback in 2018 and Goal takes a look back at the evolution of Adidas' famous range
adidas Archive/studio waldeck1Adidas Predator 18 Team Mode (2018)
Four years after its discontinuation, the Predator was reborn in 2018 with the launch of the new Predator 18 Team Mode.
The Predator 18 has revived the traditional look which characterised the range throughout the 2000s, but care has been taken to bring the boot into the modern era, with a 'PrimeKnit' and 'ControlSkin' textile upper, as well as a sockfit collar to improve stability.
Recalling past ventures, the front and sides of the boot feature a ridged texture, but the tongue remains a thing of the past.
World Cup winner Paul Pogba is the face of the new era of Predator boots, following in the footsteps of his compatriot Zidane.
Advertisementadidas Archive/studio waldeck2Adidas Predator Instinct (2014)
There were even more daring alterations made to the Adidas Predator in 2014 with the release of the Instinct in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The boot, which borrowed from the F50 range in terms of the synthetic material used, was used by stars such as Angel Di Maria.
The design of the Predator Instinct featured white hexagonal shapes on a black background, with three orange stripes on the sides.
adidas Archive/studio waldeck3Adidas Predator Lethal Zones (2012)
After the release of the Predator X, the old style was very much left in the past and Adidas began to explore new innovations in their Predator Range.
In 2012 they released the Predator Lethal Zones (or LZ), which was totally unlike any of its predecessors in design.
In fact, since they used the same 'SprintFrame' technology and stud configuration, the Predator LZs were more similar to the new F50 and adiPure ranges.
The 'Lethal Zones' alluded to in the boot's name were five distinct sections of the shoe: first touch, dribble, drive, pass and sweet spot, which were each optimised for the different areas of the game.
adidas Archive/studio waldeck4Adidas Predator X (2010)
Drastic changes came in 2010 as Adidas launched their 10th edition of the range: Predator X.
The tongue, which had been a unique feature of the range for the duration of the previous decade, was removed completely, with the laces partially hidden, which was said to improve the control of the ball
As with the Powerswerve, rubber strips were not present and the front of the boot featured a single area of foam.