Soccer Cleats 101 Soccer Cleats News and Reviews
Whatever colorway you want to call them (Silver – Chrome – Metallic – Dazzle) there is a WOW factor that comes with the latest adidas Predator 19+ release. Since being introduced as part of the 302 Redirect Pack, this is a boot that has set a serious statement. We are talking about a full-on chrome coating here, with the upper jumping front and center via a razzle dazzle visual effect in the most dynamic fashion. Oh, and it is officially listed as a Metallic Silver, in case you were wondering.
We secured a pair last week to get a true up-close look at them, while also creating a proper review of the Predator 19+ silo. If you didn’t know there is not a whole lot that differentiates the 2018 and 2019 versions do the boot, so a review has sort of dropped to the wayside. If you are interested in how they perform on pitch, keep reading below!
Find the Metallic Silver Predator 19+ at soccer.com.
Initial Reaction
There have been numerous colorway releases in the 19+ series to date, but visually, these are the most striking. They are every bit as spectacular as you’d imagine. Up close, the upper coating has a very fluid appearance that makes them look like a hardened piece of metal, but they are anything but. That upper is as pliable as always, and they perform as positively as a Predator boot should.
Breaking In and Comfort
Since they are a laceless shoe, it is very important to give the Predator 19+ some wear time to truly loosen up for a natural fit. The first time you slip your feet into them, you will notice just how constricted the knit is around the ankle. It is very snug and you will need to wiggle-wiggle into them. If you need some extra help, adidas include a shoe horn that you can use to stretch the heel back and make it easier to pop into. I went without using it. Don’t be discouraged if they initially feel too tight, a lot of players will have this experience. After a few wears, the overall fit starts to become more personalized.
Once you do get them on, they feel great and loosen up around your foot perfectly. The inside lining is very smooth and soft, so you feel really cushioned across the top of your foot. You get to choose your insole, with a thin Boost version inside the boot and an additional, extra padded set in the box. I went with the Boost version and they felt fine, only positives to report with a nice little bounce added to each step. In all honestly, it is tough to decipher if they do offer more bounce behind each step. The key here is that they feel nice and comfortable!
Going down to the soleplate, or ControlFrame as adidas has labeled it. There is plenty of flex in both directions, in other words it bends with your toe down and in the unnatural opposite direction. I hope your foot never bends or extends in that direction, but the purpose is to actually provide some leveraged spring-back as you strike the ball. This is the type of soleplate that can be used competitively from first wear – if you deem that the upper feels naturally in tune when you put them on.
Laceless Design and Fit
The Primeknit upper provides the snug, sock-like fit that is absolutely necessary to wear them without falling off. And, of course, one of the most common questions I’ve received surrounds whether they actually do stay on your feet or not.
The answer will all depend on your natural fit. The wider your foot, the more space you’ll take up inside the boot. Obviously, they are not designed to slip off your feet in play. That wouldn’t make sense. In fact, it takes some effort to get your feet in through the narrow and constrictive ankle opening, so as it turns out that is actually the bigger challenge!
The one thing that excites me about these boots is just how accommodating they are for a wide variety of players and foot shapes. Because of the laceless style and the inclusion of a very tight ankle entry, there is bound to be a selection of players that immediately determine them to be a bad option. But, I say give them a chance. Once you slip your feet in, the actual fit and feel is pretty terrific with the upper stretching in a very unique fashion.
ControlSkin Upper
ControlSkin, a super soft synthetic material, is employed by adidas to create a clean and effect touch on the ball. To the touch, it is absolutely glorious and not what you would expect. From images, the tiered Predator styling on the front of the boot looks rigid and stiff. But, it is actually a built-in foam structure that is incredibly pliable, and so super soft under your fingers.
It has also has a stretch like feel to it, something that makes it very different from your standard types of synthetic you’d find on other boots. And given the fact that the tiered design does keep it step-to-step shape through wear, makes it even more impressive. The concept is to add some additional definition for enhanced control on the boot, with the material having more angles to cushion while also providing a little extra rebound when you are striking shots.
Is This A Real Predator?
In reality, this is a very acceptable question to be asking. adidas has taken a vastly different approach with this Predator compared to its predecessors, placing more of a focus on control than power. But, their approach is still based on innovation, so they represent what the silo always has. For more, we pieced together this article discussing how they match-up to the original Predator.
In-Game Performance
Let me start here by talking about the upper, specifically the region around the front of the boot. ControlSkin, a super soft synthetic material, is employed by adidas to create a clean and effect touch on the ball. To the touch, it is absolutely glorious and not what you would expect. From images, the tiered Predator styling on the front of the boot looks rigid and stiff. But, it is actually a built in foam structure that is incredibly pliable, and so super soft under your fingers. It has also has a stretch like feel to it, something that makes it very different from your standard types of synthetic you’d find on other boots. And given the fact that the tiered design does keep it step-to-step shape through wear, makes it even more impressive. The concept is to add some additional definition for enhanced control on the boot, with the material having more angles to cushion while also providing a little extra rebound when you are striking shots.
Note here that this is not a striking specific boot, and it is not focused on provide extra power behind your shots. Instead, the focus is clearly on ball control with the added dynamic of providing a nice feel when striking shots. The tagline for the boot even stated that they offer “clinical precision for the master of control.”
You can’t compare them to previous Predator boots, there is no added rubber elements to give you that crash, bang, wallop feel while shooting. If anything, I’d compare them to the Nike Magista series, with both boots angling towards total control in their own unique way.
The final note here has to do with the instep, where adidas has added an extra control component. It falls in line with what they did on the Predator LZ series, something that is still synonymous with the CTR360 silo or even the Umbro Geometra. A raised V style groove pattern allows for additional cushion as you look to take in passes. This is the area you will use for balls dropping out of the air or to gently stroke incoming passes forward into space. I love its inclusion and it really does add value in-game.
Predator18 vs Predator19
If you are wondering what the differences are, here is what the Predator 19+ has that the Predator 18+ hasn’t.
- A larger rubber component added to the heel (seen below), to help keep a more natural/contoured shape and provide additional protection through the area.
- The addition of some black detailing along the Predator ridges, creating a slightly more defined look.
- adidas has also added the word Primeknit in digital font just inside the collar, in case you forget what the material actually is when you take the boots off.
So in reality, performance doesn’t change a whole lot! It is basically just some freshening of the aesthetic. It seems like adidas wanted to make the design a little more visually prominent on pitch, so fans could distinguish the texturing a little easier.
Durability
The only obvious concern at this stage surrounds the ankle collar and whether it will overstretch or not. From first wear to natural fit, there is definitely some loosening of the knit material. This all happens pretty quickly. Like most other knit boots, though, they don’t seem to overstretch once they are conformed to you. There might be a little extra stretch over time, but you really need to exert additional outward force on the material to enlarge the opening. If you are considering wearing a second-hand pair, it is definitely worth checking out the opening and how they fit for the previous players foot compared to yours. If they have a wider ankle, it is likely that they will have overstretched for you. This is one boot worth buying its value to buy new over used.
ControlSkin, the upper material, is also designed for wear in all-weather conditions without water intake, giving it a distinct advantage over leather.
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Critics Notes
The only thing to note here is that some players genuinely might not enjoy the laceless style and fit of the boot. Having the ability to personalize the tightness of the fit using laces is something that can’t be ignored. For that, there is the Predator 19.1, with all the same attributes, just with the ability to lace up.
Retail Details
If you decide to buy a pair, they come in a really tidy flip style box. It is a fitting addition to a high-profile package. Along with the boots, you will find a perforated Predator boots bag, a black shoe horn to help slip in and out of the boots, and an additional pair of comfort insoles. As opposed to the $330 gold version, these drop in at $275. That is still a very expensive price point, especially for a boot that is laceless. But, they are extremely tech advanced and visually they provide a look we haven’t seen before. So, choosing to own a pair – whether to collect or to wear in-game – is down to how much you want to invest in a new pair of boots. I have a feeling a lot more pairs of these will go into fan collections than actually be worn!
Check out all the latest Predator 19+ releases available at soccer.com.
The Skinny Summary
Highlight: A spectacular visual effect on the latest predator release. Laceless upper design and a tiered (but very supple) strikezone for improved control on the ball.
Category: Control (not Power!!!!)
Weight: 8.25oz
Would I Buy Them: I really enjoyed them and appreciate what adidas has done to reintroduce the Predator silo to the market. I’m a fan of laces, but if I had to go laceless I’d definitely splash out on a pair of these.
Player Position: Another thing that makes these boots so special is how versatile they are. I can’t define a player that the Predator 19 is specifically intended to suit best, and I’m pretty certain there really isn’t a player that won’t enjoy the performance on offer. Consider them to be a hybrid for all positions!
