A new generation of power boot”– that is how adidas labeled their latest Predator Mutator when it was released earlier this year. This version, the adidas Predator 20.1, has the look of a real Predator, with a low cut collar, laces and some unique technology across the forefoot providing a fresh dynamic for striking the ball.

Having worn both the FG and AG soleplates, there are some minor differences which evens out over time. As previously mentioned, the AG soleplates have a more natural midfoot which is not as tight as the FG. The FG’s narrow midfoot also causes the insole to produce a slight curve, almost like an anatomical soleplate, that rests just below the balls of your feet. The curvature flattens as the boot’s midfoot stretches but I don’t recall feeling this very curve on the AGs. One thing is for sure, there isn’t a lot of difference between how my pair felt the first I wore them and how they feel after testing. In other words, when you try them on a pair, that is the fit you can expect from them. Any stretch in the material has been very minimal. I’d compare them as being a “snug” wide fit. Odd, right? I don’t think I’ve ever used that description before, giving you some indication that they are very different from other boots on the market. What I mean is that they are on the wider side, but the material and upper shape sits snug across the forefoot. During your game, put on your Predator 20.1 midway through your match after your feet has warmed up and take it slow in the boots. A very nice touch with the adidas Predator Freak .1 is the paint coating on the external heel counter. It looks to have had a lovely spray painted effect which is rare in the industry and that’s something I look forward to see more of with future Freak colourways. The sole of a DemonHere lies a very valid question given the importance of the rubber spikes to the actual performance of the boot. What can you expect from those all important rubber spikes that cover the surface? From my experience with them, and this is my second time testing a pair, durability will not be an issue. adidas implement a layered system, designed to give the spikes a proper chance at long term survival. From inside-out you get a soft inner lining, then a second layer that includes the rubber elements placed through the Primeknit material. On top of that, a very thin membrane creates a bonded upper casing that secures everything in place. Across the entire time I’ve worn them, none of the spikes have been damaged or shown sign of probable wear. Highlight: The return of a Predator with true Predator DNA on show! Rubber elements on the upper to help when striking the ball. You still get copious amounts of grip all across the boot so it’s a win-win for me. Demonskin’s devilish good looks Because the design is less aggressive, you don’t lose that natural touch on the ball. There is still plenty of grip on offer, but in a much more efficient way. On the ball, they provide a little extra ping, where the bal doesn’t sit on your foot but instead has a light bounce away. We are talking a minimal style bounce, one that makes it a little easier to get the ball out of your feet and into open space.

Notice how the Freak with the FG soleplate (left) has a more narrow curve around the midfoot while the 20.1 with the AG soleplate (right) has a broader, straighter cut around the midfoot. There is no shoehorn included with these, so it might take you a minute or two to loosen the laces and open them fully up to make entry easier. That is the key to your first time wearing them, allowing the boot to truly breathe and loosely stretch around your foot. Plan to wear them with the laces completely open for the first five minutes, just to get a feel for them. Then lace them and tighten them to your own specifications. Loosen up the laces generously and wear the boots at home for 30-60 minutes to have the upper stretch. Compared to the Predator 20+, I found these to be a lot more accommodating and much easier to wear. Having laces and a lower ankle cut just makes the material so much more pliable and easy to manipulate when on foot. And the upgrade in comfort found with these makes them a real winner on foot! Some players like a mid cut collar, others prefer a standard cut. It all comes down to personal preference and what you enjoy. For me, the freedom you get from a standard cut, where your ankle is more mobile and free from added material over the ankle bone, makes them much more appealable to me. It also means that the brand is spending less time trying to figure out how to make the materials through that area work in unison with stressing out other parts of the boot.Would I Buy Them: Yes, yes and yes. Even better value if you can find a pair that are on sale! Really enjoyed what they have on offer.

Discover the pinnacle of football boot excellence with our adidas Predator Football Boots series at Lovell Soccer. Synonymous with football greatness for decades, the Predator series remains a fan-favourite, now elevated to new heights with the Predator Accuracy range. Crafted using cutting-edge High Definition Grip Technology for unparalleled control, the adidas Predator Accuracy is the choice of champions, offering ultimate precision on the pitch. We have tested the Elite level model and have found that a lot of people want a comparison between both versions. How does the Predator 20.1 compare to the Predator 20+? Does the collar make a big difference in how they perform? This is a mixed review with comparison to give you a very unique take on what they have on offer.

Right out of the box, you are going to spend valuable time trying to comprehend what the wild upper styling is all about. Take them out, explore the design and become familiar with the radical upper texturing. There really isn’t anything else like it on the market, with adidas cornering the power category via a release that follows the true DNA of what a Predator release is supposed to be. I don’t really have a lot of complaints, to be honest. They are the type of boot you enjoy wearing and want to wear again. This version of the boot is what I’d compare as being a “true” Predator release! Retail Details The cut on the Predator 20.1 is truly excellent in my opinion. First, it is knit right around, so there is absolutely no chance of discomfort. Around the front of your ankle, adidas leave a little tab that sits up along the angle of your ankle to foot. It is a knit material, so it again is very pliable. Where it proves extra useful is when you are putting the boots on, as you can grab the tab and use it for leverage to get your foot in. What is DEMONSKIN? With the Predator 20.1, I traded in my FG (firm ground) variant for the artificial ground (AG) variant and it worked wonders for me. In the newer model, they’ve made the Demonskin spikes softer and thinner and have spread them out more across the boot. They’re more spaced out and you can find them in areas that were bare in the previous generation, namely the lateral and medial sides of your foot.

Despite this, I have come to really love the Predator and while this was initially meant to be my Post Hype Review where I share my thoughts on the boot after playing in them for the past year, the good people of adidas has shared with me the latest version of the boot for review – the Predator Freak .1. Innovative Demonskin uppers are engineered from head to toe and designed to be durable, breathable and comfortable. They envelop the foot for a complete all-round fit that stays in place for the whole game. Soft rubber spikes poke through the knitted upper giving you total control of the ball along with unparalleled bending and spinning. The upper is finished with a full-lace closure in a tonal shade. Ground-Breaking, Inside and Out

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Performance wise, they both do a good job on firm natural grass and artificial ground though I find the FG studs to be a bit more aggressive than the AGs. That comes from the FG studs’ slimmer profile that digs into the ground more while the AG studs are broader and slightly shorter for those with more sensitive (read: ageing) feet. This difference in the fit completely changed my experience in the Predator and it has become one of my go-to boots in my rotation when I’m not doing busy reviewing another football boot. It is that good once the boot fit my feet. Going true to size, it was obvious that the fit in the boot was different from most boots. It had a wide forefoot and heel while its midfoot was uber narrow and tight. Our team at BOOTHYPE concocted a solution for the fit. More brands need to take a cue from this if they are looking to find ways to improve ease of wear in their mid-cut boots. You get to feel the ball more in the Predator Freak