Predator Edge Review
Alaba, Bellingham, and Pogba, these are the adidas football stars that rock the Predators in high-profile matches. And 2022 gives them another generation in the form of the Predator Edge, replacing the 2021 Predator Freak and the 2020 Predator Mutator. Those two previous Preds gave the iconic silo its renaissance in the 2020s. Is the Predator Edge then up to par or is it a step back for adidas?
Predator Edge Boots 7 Things To Know:
- Zone Skin ribbings optimised for swerve, power, control, and dribbling; looks familiar to the 'Lethal Zones' of the 2012 Predator LZ
- Facefit collar comprised of a two-piece Primeknit material
- Zonal ridges sit on a Primeknit-based upper
- Weighted 'Power Facet' forefoot piece on the new split-soled 'Facetframe' is intended to shift weight towards the toe when striking the ball
- New Facetframe outsole features a reengineered split-sole structure and a weighted toe box piece
- Also has laced variants, one with the standard collar and the other with a low cut
- Replaces 2021's Predator Freak
What is new with the Predator Edge?
First, the Demonskin rubber spikes are replaced by the strategically-positioned Zone Skin ridges. Second, the collar's height has been reduced and a slit is added on the front to make it easy to stretch the opening and insert the foot. Lastly, the new Facetframe outsole is still split-soled but features less cut-outs, a more straight-forward triangular stud configuration, and weighted 'Power Facet' toe box piece meant to shift the weight towards the front when striking the ball.
The upper is still Primeknit-based, but the fit and feel change because of the reengineering mentioned above.
Our thoughts...
Despite the change from spikes to ribs, the Predator Edge is on par with the grip level set by the Freak and Mutator and still feels like literally grabbing the ball. You can't go wrong with the Predator Edge if you are looking for a boot that really does aid your first touch and ball control!
The reduced height of the Facefit collar is a very welcome change. On top of that, the slit on the front makes it easy to stretch the opening and put on the boot compared to that of the Freak and Mutator.
The Facetframe matches the performance of the Freak and Mutator's Controlframe, meaning that it feels effectively solid and stable for an outsole. A minor point is that the 'Power Facet' seems to be more of an ornament rather than the marketed functional technology of weight transfer.
Expert Predator Edge Reviews:
But don't just take our word for it. Listen to other boot nerds listed below and hear for yourself what they have to say about the Predator Edge.
Jay Mike of Unisport
- Zone Skin works! Adidas managed to create the grippiest football boot, even a bit wilder the Freak and Mutator; heightened sense of grip make swerving a bit more effortless
- Felt like the boot gave an edge in power and grip when shooting the ball
- Relatively bulky feeling because of the big fins; not very nimble or barefoot like
- Commits to the power and swerve concept better than any other control boot
- Has a much more roomy forefoot as a side effect of the stiffness of the Zone Skin, kind of holding the upper in place and preventing it from falling down that usually gives a pointed and streamlined shape to boots with more pliable uppers; good thing for wide feet players but may cause negative space for narrow ones
- True-to-size recommendation
- Shape of the collar effectively tucks the foot in place without being restrictive; bigger opening makes getting on the boot manageable; heel lockdown is decent
- Predator Edge fits the bill if you are the type of player who wants raw power from their boots
- Facetframe looks ridiculously super mega cool; still moves well, has solid grip on the ground, and feel stable and comfortable; no complaints there!
- Because of Jay Mike's narrow feet, the Predator Edge's chunky build due to the high toe box and Zone Skin fins makes the boot less responsive; the sheer number and firmness of the ribs makes the upper package not as soft and pliable as the Primeknit, leading to longer break-in time; last laced hole of the .1 sits a bit lower than usual and on top of the feet's ball, causing unexpected pressure points; might be too grippy at first and might take time for you to get used to it
- Likes the Zone Skin as it actually delivers but has a hard time getting passed by the fit and feel
Your Predator Edge Questions Answered
What size Predator Edge do I get?
You can be best served by the Predator Freak Boots if you go true-to-size.
Do Predators suit wide feet?
Yes. A recurring talking point is the seemingly added volume because of the Zone Skin holds up the toe box, which could cause some issue for narrow feet but could be easily solved by wide, bulky ones.
Is there a kid-sized Predator Edge?
Yes. Both the laceless + and laced .1 models have kid sizes.
Are there other soleplate types for the Predator Edge
There are soft ground and artificial ground boots for both the + and .1 as of this writing.
Predator Freak Review
The Predator Freak is worn by the likes of Paul Pogba and David Alaba. The spiky rubber elements are designed to give you an unfair advantage on the ball with solid grip and benefits to ball control. The Freak released in 2021, replace the 2020 Predator Mutator Edition. Does the Freak suit your game and is it as good as adidas market it to be? Should the Predator Freak be your next boot and which one of the options should you chooose?...
7 Things About the Predator Freak You'll Want to Know:
- Has less Demonskin spikes than the 20+, but the elements are bolder and covers more space as a few are now placed in the tongue area; level of grip is still unmatched
- Utilises the same lightweight split sole Controlframe from the previous generation
- Sock-like tongue and collar have a 2-piece construction improves ease of entry and lockdown relative to the 20+
- High-cut back collar extended even more to complement the 2-piece construction in enhancing ease of entry
- Still uses Primeknit as its upper material
- Available in a laced and laced low-collar takedown models
- Worn by Pogba and Alaba
What is new with the Predator Freak?
First, the Demonskin rubber spikes has been reduced in number, but since they are relatively bigger and a few are placed on the tongue, the grip level remains high and runs consistently to every part of the boot. The upper is still Primeknit, but is now more pliable most probably because the lesser number of Demonskin means less items to stiffen the upper.
Next up, the collar, which is pretty high already in the 20+, is raised even more to complement the 2-piece tongue and collar construction in enhancing ease of entry. The said construction also allows the tongue to act like a midfoot compression band and enable a relatively better lockdown. Soleplate-wise, the Freak hasn't changed as it employs the Controlframe found in the 20+.
What we think of them...
Love to play with these Predators especially if we want to wear a boot that feels like essentially grabbing the ball; also able to generate more spin with the Freak boots
Can't say we are big fans of the raised collar. We like the .1 low better as you still have the benefits of the Demonskin without the lockdown issue and the flapping collar above the heel.
Expert Predator Freak Reviews:
Aside from our personal opinion, we've brought together the most trusted voices on Football Boots to save you time and effort in getting all information about the Predator Freak. Below you can find video reviews of the Predator Freak and the key takeaways. Everything you'd want to know is on one place!
Unisport Review:
- The new construction around the collar works in adding more lockdown, pushing the ankles against the heel counter; not as good as the X Ghosted+ but still good for a laceless boot
- New built on the heel makes the Predator easier to put on
- Upper has improved; the reduced number of Demonskin spikes makes the Primeknit a lot softer and more pliable; comfortable out of the box
- Improvement on the upper also means it is better in moulding around the foot and that the forefoot feels a bit more wider now; Freak more forgiving to wide-feet players than the Mutator 20+
- As a narrow-footed player, Jay Mike didn't feel that the boot is sloppy or chunky because of the tight fit around the midfoot
- True-to-size recommendation
- Does feel that the Predator gives the player a mental advantage at least as the ball grip is second to none
- Grip is toned down to an optimal level where you can feel like you are control of the boot rather than the other way around (which might have been an issue with the previous generation); extremely effective in putting spin to the ball and in dribbling it and thus gives the wearer confidence in ball handling
- Difference of Demonskin spike numbers between the + and .1 is barely noticeably unlike the Mutator
Boot Nerds:
- Visually looks more aggressive than Mutator
- Fewer spikes make the upper less rigid and more comfortable out of the box
- Should have brought down the height of the heel collar
- Solid upgrade; a proper execution of a facelift
- The angle, spacing, potrusion, and number of the Demonskin elements sets an optimal level of grip-noticeable but not overwhelming
- The Demonskin rubber elements have the same orientation in the .1s as in the + model; good to have the laced .1 to have as much of the tech of the + as possible
- Hoping for a fusionskin upper for the modern Predator
- Overall a great job for adidas for the release of the new-gen Predator
- Retaining Controlframe is just fair as the soleplate works
- Heel collar tab is freakishly high and could have just streamlined the height to that of the tongue;
- No massive red flags and arguably a better and refined version of the Predator Mutator
Your Predator Freak Questions Answered
What size Predator Freak do I get?
You can be best served by the Predator Freak Boots if you go true-to-size.
Do Predators suit wide feet?
Yes, they should be good for you. Consensus is that the Primeknit upper has become softer and the forefoot a bit more wider because of the reduced number and spacing of the Demonskin.
Are Children's Predators available?
Kids Predator Freak comes in the + and .1 versions.
Can I wear Predator Freak + on 3G pithes and astro turf?
We recommend you to go with the specific AG sole plate if you are playing on the surfaces regularly.
Does the Predator have a knitted upper?
Yes the construction of the boot uses Primeknit, with the collar knit together also, even on the .1 pairs
Who are the Predator designed for?
Made for the likes of Paul Pogba and Dele Alli to wear the +, and the .1 with laces are worn by Fabinho, Marc-Andre Ter Stergen, and David Alaba.
Predator 20 Review
The Predator 20 as worn by the likes of Dele Alli and Paul Pogba, still focused on control, the new rubber elements on the Mutator are designed to give you an unfair advantage on the ball, with their grip and benefits to ball control. Does the Mutator suit your game and is it as good as adidas market it to be? Should the Predator Mutator 20 be your next boot and which one of the options should you chooose?...
5 Things About the Mutator You'll Want to Know:
- Crazy grippy feel, 406 rubber spikes, increase grip on the ball
- Higher collar won't suit everyone, but 20.1 Low is a great option
- Has a new split soleplate, like a Nemeziz or Nike Mercurial
- Laceless comes in the cheaper 20.3 as well as 20+
- New Demonskin upper has spikes crafted to wrap front and side of the boot
What is new with the Predator Mutator 20?
First we have a new name, previous 18+ and 19+ have been just that, but we've echos of the Accelerator, Mania, Rapier and more the 2020 has it's own name that will last the generation, the Mutator and we like it, the beast has evolved. Demonskin replaces the Controlskin from the 19+, with a computer algorithm used to place the textured spike layer, to promote spin when stirking the ball in key contact points.
Next up the collar is way, way bigger on this edition, mainly probably to make them stand out on pitch even more, but the best news is the laced 20.1 option comes with a lower primeknit option if you want that, yes please! The boot has a split soleplate, something we've seen on the Preds before, but that goes back to the days of the Mania, now that is more associated with the Nemeziz and Nike's Mercurial line.
What we think of them...
Love that they have a new name to them and that the rubber elements make a comeback is the icing on the cake, the rubber elements look good on the boot, something that really stands out on pitch again, but in a good way.
Can't say we are big fans of the raised collar, but with the option of going low with the 20.1 adidas really are catering to everyone, so tempting to take a pair of scissors to the 20+, just to see what they would look like.
Your Predator 20 Questions Answered
What size Predator 20 do I get?
They get softer as you break them in, they are tighter in the mid foot and a bit more roomy in the forefoot, go true to size for adidas boots, so go with your usual boot size.
Do Predators suit wide feet?
Yes, they should be good for you, consider ditching the collar so they are easier to wear and potentially go up half a size up.
Are Children's Predators available?
Kids Predator boots come in Elite 20+ and 20.1 versions, as well as the 20.3 in junior, using similar materials to the matching adult pairs
Can I wear Predator 20 on 3g pithes and astro turf?
Yes we recommend you go with the specific AG sole plate if you are playing on the surfaces regularly, also note the chrome finish will wear off quicker on these pitches.
Do the Predator have a knitted upper?
Yes the construction of the boot uses Primeknit, with the collar knit together also, even on the reduced height 20.1 low pairs
Who are the Predator designed for?
Made for the likes of Paul Pogba and Dele Alli to wear the 20+, the 20.1 with laces are worn by Harry Winks, Fabinho, Marc-Andre Ter Stergen and Manuel Neuer.
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