Going into 2026, adidas is going strong with their silo that revolutionised football boots in its own way back in 1998. And as always, I’m here to explore the good, the bad and the ugly in this 2026 adidas Predator Review. Today’s stars like Jude Bellingham & Trent Alexander-Arnold are following in the boot steps of Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham; unleashing the power of the Predator in modern football. But like every generational update, the question is: did the Predator change for the good, or did it take a turn for the worse?  

• 2026 adidas Predator Elite Review
• adidas Predator Pro
• Cheap Predator League Review
• Previous Predator Generations
• Key Facts About Predator 2026

What’s New with the Predator 2026:

• Predator 2026 now has a textile mesh upper, as opposed to the Predator 2025 that had a foam-based HybridTouch 2.0 upper.
• The grip elements are now flat rubber pads positioned in a wavy pattern instead of the pinstriped ridge fins on the previous generation.
• Predator 2026 also brings back the PowerSpine technology, the spine on the outsole extending from heel to midfoot. This was first seen in the Predator X.

FAQs about the adidas Predator 2026:

1. Which is better: F50 or Predator or Copa?
   • Each has its distinct boot proposition, and so better here would essentially be just relative terms and what one prefers in a pair of football boots. While fit is definitely one, if not the main consideration when choosing the best silo, you can also consider the upper material, technology, tooling and shape among other things.
2. Do the grip pads work on artificial turf?
   • Yes, they do. The only thing you have to watch out for is playing the boots during rainy matches/training sessions, or when the natural grass is watered and you have to play on such pitch immediately.
3. How long do the Predator boots take to break in?
   • The Predator 2026 boots start to break-in at least 30-45 min. into your first training session with them. They should reach their peak pliability right around a session and a half.
4. Are they suitable for wide or narrow feet?
   • The short answer is they lean more on the wider side. However, continue to read on the Predator 2026 review as the fit profile is more nuanced, most especially with the changes on the upper. You can also check how the Predator compare with the Nike Phantom, another wide-fitting boot, on this comparison page.

My adidas Predator 2026 Review

• Release Year: 2026
• Generation Number: 23rd
• Purpose: Control Boot
• Competitor/s: Nike Phantom
• Notable Players: Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold

When I was growing up, I watched a lot of my idols playing in some of the iconic Predator boots over the years. So, to have fallen in love with this boot, and to play in this colour in particular, is a dream come true. I cannot wait to get back on the pitch and test them out as soon as I can.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Right-Back

Testing Conditions

• Surfaces: Firm Natural Grass, 3G Artificial Turf
• Foot Type: Medium Width (EU 43 1/3)
• Sessions: 2 Competitive Matches, 3 Training Sessions
• Weather: 1 Dry, 1 Wet

ELITE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fold-Over Tongue – Born for Goals	Textiled Mesh Upper Nano Strike + Grip Elements Strikeframe		Get adidas Predator FT
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator FT
Laced – Born for Goals			Get adidas Predator Laced
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator Laced
Laceless – Born for Goals			Get adidas Predator Laceless
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator Laceless
Finishers Steel			Get adidas Predator FT
Icon Takeover			Get adidas Predator FT

Textile Mesh Upper

adidas has moved away from the HybridTouch material used in the previous generation and swapped it for a textile-mesh upper. One thing I noticed straight away is that, because of this change, the Predator 2026 needs a few sessions to properly break in and loosen up. The upper does eventually soften up nicely after I played with them in a couple of competitive matches (with around 3 training sessions in-between), but I reckon that initial stiffness might put some people off, especially if they’re coming straight from the Predator 2025.

I find that this new upper construction also means the boot feels notably thinner overall, offering a much more second-skin like fit. I sense this difference is particularly pronounced when touching the ball as the sensation is now very direct and barefoot. This is a clear change from the cushioned feel we were used to with HybridTouch. In the end, I view this upper change as completely neutral and genuinely comes down to individual preference.

Nano Strike + Grip Elements

At least for the Predator 2026, the days of those prominently raised grip elements are certainly behind us. The new Nano Strike + system has been designed as pads which sit almost flush, nestled within the upper’s own texturing. I do think that making these elements flatter and more in line with the upper is necessary in order to prevent any uncomfortable pressure points, especially now that we have this much thinner upper construction.

The big question now is: does it still have that grippy attribute that the modern Predator has been known for? The short answer is definitely yes. It is still one of the grippiest football boot I have worn. But I must say that ever since Demonskin spikes from the 2020 Predator Mutator, the SL rubber elements have become progressively more optimised over time. This is important in helping the Predator broaden its appeal and win over those who find the earlier grip elements so sticky that they trip over the ball at times. Not to mention that Nike now has their own Gripknit technology to compete in this sphere.

There’s a trade-off though, and that is the SL rubber elements are now slightly less effective in wet conditions. In my first training session and first actual game, the grip is as effective as it was with the Predator 2025 or even the Predator 2024. But during those times where I have to train during rain or in matches where the pitch is really damp, I noticed that the grip level has dropped off a bit.

Strikeframe

As for the outsole, Predator 2026’s Strikeframe features Powerspine running from the heel to the midfoot. The aim is, to borrow adidas words, “provide a midfoot stability for a stronger shot.” Not sure about having a stronger shot, but midfoot stability: that I can understand. I am able to have a flat and solid platform to step into thanks to the midfoot rigidity of the soleplate. I also like that external heel counter reinforcement as it helps lockd the heel down.

Traction has more bite because the studs are now larger and bolder compared to that of the preceding generation, but I’m happy that ease of pivot is still in the mix as adidas softens and rounds up the edges of those studs. With that said, I can only be comfortable with this stud configuration on natural grass and will definitely look for the conicals of the AG model if I want to use the Predator 2026 on 3G/4G. I tried the FG version on 3G artificial and I at times felt the cling when pivoting.

Fit and Shape

Usually considered as a wide-fitting boot, today’s Predator is a little bit nuanced than that. Apart from having a thin upper that hugs the foot closely, there’s a little bit of tapering around the midfoot. Just to backtrack a little and point out the initial stiffness of the upper, that rigidity might be misinterpreted as the boot being too snug. Again, the key here is to be patient and give the Predator 2026 a couple of wear to break it in and help it accommodate more width.

Once that is taken cared of, the additional height and volume of the toe box, as well as the width space of the heel can be filled up easily if your feet is on the wider side. This is good for me as I am relatively flat-footed, though I still experienced a bit of a heel lift when cutting or changing direction in an instant. I suggest that the wider your foot is, the more you are better suited for the FT and laced models because of how much opening and adjustment you can get. Size-wise, I followed the adidas guide for my 26.5cm foot length and wore the UK 9. Fit and length are spot-on.

Lockdown and Responsiveness

Not saying that the boot will not secure for narrow-feet players as the thin upper does have the ability to stay close to your foot, but the Predator 2026 will deliver the best possible lockdown for their counter parts given the volume in certain parts. Responsiveness is where you’ll also find the advantage (at least initially, before it breaks down) of having a stiffer upper construction and a stable midfoot. Depending on your foot shape, you might still experience some pockets of space here and there, and so I recommend checking some of the best grip socks out there if you want the Predator 2026 to really feel locked in.

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Reviewing and Testing the Predator 2026

I wore the Predator 2026 Elite on a damp natural grass pitch and immediately felt the thin textile‑mesh upper hugging my foot tightly. During the first 30‑minute warm‑up, the boot felt stiff, but by the third session it had softened into a second‑skin fit The Nano Strike + grip pads delivered noticeable grip on passes and touches; however, in heavy rain they were slightly less effective I play with a medium‑wide foot, and the midfoot taper combined with the rigid Strikeframe gave me excellent stability, though players with narrow feet may experience heel space.

PRO ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Born for Goals	NanoStrike Pro Controlplate		Get adidas Predator FT
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator FT
Finishers Steel			Get adidas Predator FT

On paper, the Pro seems to be providing the Elite upper and outsole package. But the thing with the Pro is that its mesh upper feels more malleable and less structured out-of-the-box, which can appeal to those who got used to how soft the upper was with the previous Predators. I can also feel that this takedown has less volume both around the midfoot and on the height of the toe box. This also applies to the heel composition, which now has a stitch-and-turn makeup partnered with a suede liner and a narrow shaping.

The Pro still retains that pad formation of the Elite’s grip elements in terms of looks, but actually does away with all the rubber in essence. Instead, it amplifies the gritty texturing, which certainly makes it less sticky on that regard. As for the outsole, the Pro also has the same Strikeframe soleplate package except for one crucial thing: Strikeframe on the Pro does not weight that much, which is a pleasant surprise for me. Overall, the Pro for me felt around 3–4 g lighter underfoot and its mesh upper was softer out‑of‑the‑box than the Elite.

LEAGUE ⭐⭐⭐
Born for Goals	NanoStrike Mesh Upper Controlplate		Get adidas Predator FT
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator FT
Born for Goals			Get adidas Predator Laced
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator Laced
Born for Goals			Get adidas Predator Laceless
Immortal DNA			Get adidas Predator Laceless
Finishers Steel			Get adidas Predator FT

The League is where you can feel the budget adaptation of the Predator 2026. The mesh upper has a thicker profile and stiffer, more structured sensation especially when you consider the additional ridge moulding around the wavy pad patterns. There’s still a hint of microtexturing, but it is obviously less pronounced than that of the Pro. I would say that the last is wider, as usually the budget takedowns would use generic shaping to appeal to as much foot types as possible. The Powerspine on the outsole is merely for cosmetics and the plate itself is on the flexible side, meaning that I didn’t have that much midfoot stability as I had with the Elite and Pro.

Previous Predator Generations

The adidas Predator has been a constant presence on the football field since 1994. However, it must be noted that it did have a blip and got replaced by the ACE in the mid-2010s. Safe to say that much of the current Predator’s build much more resembles its return in 2018 than any of its iteration in the pre-ACE era. Let’s look back at some of the past Predator generations:

Predator ’25 (2025)

Predator 2025 was pretty much like the 2024 generation apart from a few things. It minimised Strikeskin to 6 rows of narrow fin lines and probably doubled-down on the cushioned feel of HybridTouch 2.0.

Predator ’24 (2024)

Actually released towards the end of 2023, the boot nonetheless informed the adidas Predator boots that were worn by the pros in 2024. And while it was made available in laced and laceless options, the highlight for the Predator ’24 generation was the Fold-over Tongue (FT) model that certainly brought a lot of nostalgia. Hybridtouch 2.0 was made thinner and more anatomical than the Hybridtouch on the previous Accuracy. Sole-cracking unfortunately was a bit of an issue for some.

Predator Accuracy (2023)

To address the widely-panned Edge, adidas reconstructed the Predator for the 2023 Accuracy generation. With Accuracy, the Predator had a relatively more comfortable Hybridtouch upper that provided synthetic leather vibes. The High-Definition Grip elements met expectation in keeping the silo the most grippy football boot in the market during the Accuracy’s time.

Predator Edge (2022)

adidas brought in the Edge in 2022, representing the brand’s grippiest football boot with its ridged Zoneskin elements. Edge drew inspiration from the earlier Predator LZ in both launch colourway and grip element structure. Unfortunately for the Edge, it was marred by fit and comfort issues, as the Primeknit upper felt stiff for a knitted material and that the shape was predetermined by the rounded formation of the Zoneskin.

Predator Freak (2021)

The Freak was launched in 2021 and introduced minor adjustments to the Mutator model. The Demonspikes were lessened and spaced out to bring down the grip level to an optimal level (still the grippiest boot despite the said change). A two-piece tongue-collar construction increased the height of the collar on heel part. It was the Freak that had the Controlframe tooling for the last time.

Predator 20/Mutator (2020)

The Mutator introduced the Predator to the football boot industry as the grippiest football boot ever. 406 Demonskin rubber spikes touch the ball like no other boot can, giving the wearer that precious split-second grip to control the ball however, whenever he wants it. The + model maintained the laceless construction introduced in the 18 and 19, and like the preceeding Predators any one preferring a laced setup can certainly have it with the .1 variant, available in low and high-cut finishes. As with the tooling, it did change the Controlframe to make the split-sole element more visible.

Predator 19 (2019)

Not much changed from the Predator 18 to the Predator 19. The latter simply added some material branding and Controlskin detailing to perhaps give the tech more emphasis and attention. The rubber material on the heel, however, was a much more noticeable update and was applied to have a more natural contour over that part of the boot. Some highlight releases under the Predator 19 involved the boot with packs related to the Predator classics. The ’25 Years of Predator’ pack, which delivered a gold ZZ Accelerator and a white DB Precision, also gave us the ‘Beckham Zidane’ Predator 19. It had a glossy Controlskin in gold, navy Primeknit, and red accents on the external heel counter. With the Predator Mania 19 pack, adidas included a black Predator 19+ and a white Predator 19.1, both with a sticker graphic featuring the Mania’s swerving elements and a Fusionskin upper instead of pure knit.

Predator 18 (2018)

The Predator 18, while bearing the name of the iconic adidas silo, brought with it features that were trending at that time. First among them was the Primeknit base of the upper, making it the first Predator to dip into the knit territory. Next was the laceless construction, notching another first for the silo. Even though it was not as high as other so-called sock boots, the higher-than-usual collar finish was another modern adoption of the Predator 18. The Controlskin ridged texturing overlay served as the Predatory element, which significant departed from the rubber external elements of past models. It was in this boot that the first iteration of the Controlframe emerged before it got reengineered in the Predator Mutator. The stud configuration was trigonometric and the soleplate had a full-length construction with some Y-shaped stiffener structural reinforcement. Adidas gave a .1 option for those who preferred a laced setup. 

Rather than reintroducing the key characteristics of the Predator, the 18 reflected the dominant boot trends at that time. It was more of an evolution of the ACE (especially the Purecontrol+), the model that replaced the Predator Instinct. Suffice to say, questions were asked whether they truly marked the return of Predator in the football boot scene.

Key Facts About Adidas Predator 2026

1. adidas Predator 2026 features a textile‑mesh upper with Nano Strike + grip pads.
2. Available models: Elite (~210 g), Pro (~200 g) and League (~215 g).
3. SRP: Elite ~£250, Pro ~£150, League ~£90
4. Predator 2026 brings back the PowerSpine technology that was first seen on the Predator X.