Adidas Predator LZ 2 Video Review

Our very first video review on the Adidas Predator LZ 2 is up!

 

Nike Mercurial Vapor X Review

Introduction

The Nike Mercurial Vapor X has had a largely underwhelming release, playing second fiddle to the much-hyped Superfly IV. This is very unfortunate as with the Mercurial Vapor X, Nike have released a Vapor that is much-improved over its predecessor. The Vapor may seem like a lower grade model compared to the Superfly IV, but this is definitely not the case; both are top-grade, premium boots, simply offering their own unique experiences that is up to you to decide which one you prefer. Here, we bring you the lowdown on the new technology the Vapor X incorporates, but more importantly, we bring you how the Vapor performs in a game, our ultimate standard by which all boots are assessed.

Technical specifications

Upper

According to Nike, the Mercurial Vapor X still features the Teijin OLM12 synthetic, similar to the ones used on the Vapor VIII and IX. There are key differences, however, between the Vapor IX and X that make the Vapor X a very different animal. With the Vapor IX, we saw the introduction of the golf-ball dimples that in all honesty, to us, did not feel very significant in influencing the touch of the boot; if anything, the slightly tacky gloss finish played a larger role in determining the ever-so-slightly sticky feeling on the ball, which could explain Cristiano Ronaldo’s preference for the leather version of all his Vapors. The Teijin used on the Speed Control version of the Vapor IX was relatively soft and flexible, and became even softer after a few hours of break-in time, and expanded just a little to accomodate more players than its narrower predecessors. With the Vapor X however, Nike have completely redesigned the upper to make it more of a matte finish, which gets a thumbs up from us. For those who have a bit of trouble imagining it, think of it as the same “matte-ness” as the heel portion of the Vapor IX, that would be a good approximation of the feeling of the Vapor X. In addition, Nike added texturing on the boot that is best described as micro-protrusions – these purportedly add just the right amount of friction on the ball without being too tacky or sticky – a common complaint that users of the Vapor IX had when it came to the Speed Control version of the boot. It must also be noted that the upper of the Vapor X is thinner than the already super-thin upper of the Vapor IX, and this continues the Mercurial tradition of premium barefoot feel – this time, the feeling of playing barefoot is even more pronounced. In addition, it is softer and in fact, elastic (it actually stretches like a resistance band when you pull it hard enough) – and because it is so, it wraps and envelopes your foot unlike its relatively (note that it is relative) stiffer predecessors. For those who enjoy playing barefoot, this comes the closest where the Mercurial line is concerned.

Another radical change of the Vapor X is the fact that the upper is now almost completely a one-piece upper. Almost, because part of the tongue that is nearest to the ankle is not attached; for all intents and purposes, however, we would still consider it a one-piece upper. This allows for a seamless fit once you put the boot on, even without tying the laces. Once you do, however, you get a true lockdown effect and with the boot cradling every curve of your boot, it is truly a sensational feeling.

The boots are treated with All Conditions Control (ACC), which does allow for better grip on the ball in wet conditions.

Comfort (Fit, Inner materials, Sizing)

While the fit of the Mercurial line has always been up there with the best, this time round, the change of the Teijin synthetic to a softer and more flexible one means that the fit is even more improved. The boots seem to hug every curve of your foot, and this makes for a great feeling on the ball. The only complaint that we have about the fit of the Mercurial is its length; strangely, and more applicably to Asians, the Mercurial Vapor always seems to fit a tad too long. This increase in length however is not sufficient enough to warrant going a half-size down, which leaves many of its users in limbo. This means that when you flex your foot, the area where the boot has maximal flexion between the forefoot and the midfoot does not coincide with the maximal flexion of your foot itself; as a result, there is always a feeling that you are compensating for the fit of the boot with your touches, so the boot does not feel as if it has disappeared on your feet. While this does not have a major impact if you are having a casual kickabout, in the heat of a match, when close touches are crucial and the pace is faster, it is difficult to compensate every time and so quickly so invariably, touches get either too heavy or too light and it can be quite frustrating at times. Our recommendation is not to go a half-size down however, as the fit gets way to narrow and your feet start to feel ischemic (blood supply gets cut off). This is a point worth considering if you are a serious, competitive player.

Soleplate/Traction

Following the success of the Nike Hypervenom, and of its nylon soleplate, it comes as no surprise that Nike have adapted it to the Vapor X. What makes it even more tantalising this time round is they have taken the low profile, comfortable soleplate with the perfect balance of stiffness (for push-off) and flexibility (for freedom of movement) and made the conical studs bladed, but with rounder edges than the Vapor IX. What this means is that you get the aggressive push-off that Vapor users love, while maintaining the ability to rotate once your foot is planted on the ground. It truly combines the best of the Hypervenom and Vapor soleplates, and we have grown addicted to it – there is truly nothing like it on the market. The closest any traction has come to this is the CTR360 Maestri IIIs with the “half-moon” studs, but that had a bit of a drag that we disliked. This traction pattern is something else. The insole is a typical lightweight perforated Mercurial insole, for which we have no complaints.

Weight

Nike have managed to shave off more weight for their Vapor X compared to the Vapor IX. It now weighs in at 6.2oz, a 0.4oz decrease from the Vapor IX. This difference, while minute is noticeable in-game, but very, very subtly, so for all intents and purposes if you want to have a gauge of the weight, simply pick up a Vapor IX and that would roughly be it.

Performance

Dribbling

The main attraction of a Vapor, to many, would be the barefoot feel on the ball when dribbling that gives a precise idea of what you’re doing with the ball and where the ball is going to end up with your every touch (assuming you are skilful enough – we cannot stress the importance of ability over boot type). The Vapor X, in this aspect, gives us something of a mixed feeling. While we thoroughly enjoyed the thinness of the upper and the way it conformed to the shape of our feet, we couldn’t quite get past the extra length that it had and the aberrant area of maximal flexion as mentioned earlier. At crucial moments of our matches, where we had no issues with other boots such as the Hypervenom and the Adidas Predator LZ 2, we seemed to take too heavy touches on the ball and our minds were more occupied with compensating for that flexion difference rather than that we were going to do with the ball. That said, this issue is not a huge one and if it is something that is acceptable to you, then this boot is perfect because we have no other gripes about it. The traction, as mentioned earlier, allows for great aggressive push-off and rotation once your foot is planted, crucial movements when dribbling and we have to say we thoroughly enjoyed it. If Nike could just decrease the length of the boot by a small bit, we believe the boot will be flawless – the lightweight nature of the boot, the way the boot moulds to your feet, the amazing traction and the thin, flexible upper make the Vapor irresistible.

Passing, Shooting

Where passing and shooting are concerned, the name of the game in the Vapor X is precision. It does not have any extra padding or extra material to soften the impact or allow for more material between your foot and the ball, but this lack of material is more than made up for with the precise strikes that you are able to make with the Vapor. Paradoxically, we found the Vapor to offer us a better platform for harder strikes on the ball, and we were able to generate more power in our shots. Why? Because the Vapor wraps around the foot, following every curve of the foot, and so when striking the ball hard, especially when taking a shot at goal, you are able to use precisely the base of your first metatarsal to strike the ball, giving a very optimum and sweet strike. Perhaps an easier way of putting it would be the Vapor takes away all the gimmicks of a boot and gives you just enough protection for your technique to shine through. We love the feeling of shooting in this Vapor.

Off-the-ball running

The Mercurial Vapor X are very lightweight, so we expected them to have the sensation of disappearing on our feet, but because of the bit of extra length, we were conscious of the fact that they were there throughout the match. This however is just a small minus in the many great virtues that the Mercurial Vapor possesses.

Protection

Protection is not an aspect that the Mercurial line focuses on and therefore is very strong in. If you get studded, it is going to hurt. With a boot this light and flexible, something has got to give, and protection is sacrificed in this aspect.

Durability

Being such a lightweight boot, the durability is great. The material is elastic and offers some stretch, and because it has a sort of give to it less stress is placed on the seam between the upper and the soleplate so sole separation is actually less likely. The upper itself is durable and will not rip easily, while the soleplate, being made of nylon, does not wear out very quickly. Playing on artificial turf will decrease the lifespan of the boots compared to if you played on natural grass, but even then, we found the Vapor to hold up very well and it feels very solid in general.

Local Quirks

1. Asian feet

We found, as mentioned earlier, that these boots run just a tad too long in length, but not enough to go a half-size down. For players that prefer a fit that is perfect in length relative to your foot, you might want to try these pair of boots to see if you can accept the extra length. Another alternative is to wear thicker socks to make up for the increase in length.

2. Hot artificial pitches

We are happy to announce that these hold up really well! In previous incarnations of the Vapor, most notably in the Mercurial Vapor IX, the heat that built up in the soleplates on a very hot day was just unbearable. Some players had to temporarily sit out because the boots became too hot to stand in. With the new nylon soleplate in the Vapor X, it absorbs and traps heat much lesser than its predecessor and it was a joy to finally forget the pain and focus on our game.

ABC (Anatomy, Biomechanics, injury Caution)

In general, we find that the Mercurial Vapor X fit longer feet better. For players with wider feet, these boots are actually more forgiving than previous generations, and even players with slightly flat feet will be able to fit into these boots. That said, we always recommend going down to stores to try these boots out yourselves, if you have the option of doing so.

Where biomechanics are concerned, the Mercurial Vapor X maximises the biomechanics of the by virtue of its ability to follow the curves of our feet. Because it ensures no dead space (except where the length is concerned), the foot is able to move very fluidly, which is good thing. However, it must be noted that the Mercurial Vapor X is (as Mercurials have always been) a bit on the restrictive side and the muscles of the foot may not be able to perform at their optimal length and tension – this means that throughout the course of the game, the amount of compensation or effort that you put in will be greater than another pair of boots that is less restrictive, for example the Nike Hypervenom. While this did affect our touches, it was less pronounced than the Mercurial Vapor IX, so there is a definite improvement in this aspect.

For the Mercurial Vapor IX, the studs were very aggressive and there were only 2 of them in the heel that were rather long so it actually predisposed players to ankle sprains due to stud breakage, with many complaints of that actually happening around the world. In the Vapor X update, this problem is solved, not only because there are now 4 studs at the back (leading to better pressure distribution) but also because they are shorter in length. For those who are worried that grip and traction will be sacrificed, fret not – the Vapor X still performs amazingly where these 2 aspects are concerned.

Comparisons

The most common comparison that we get is: how do these boots compare to the new Superfly IV? Is it worth it splashing out more cash for the Superfly? Our answer is, it all depends on personal preference. These 2 pairs of boots are very different even though they both carry the Mercurial name. The Vapor has more of an elastic feel that feels thinner than the Superfly, and it is great for the player who prefers something more traditional (although we must stress that the Vapor is not something we would define as traditional, given the new concept of the one-piece upper). The Superfly on the other hand, focuses more on the lockdown effect that the Flywire provides with an upper that is just a tiny bit thicker. The Vapor X weighs in at 6.2oz while the Superfly weighs in at 7.1z, so with a difference of nearly an oz, the weight disparity is certainly noticeable in-game. We actually find the Vapor X to be a more traditional Vapor which focuses on touch, traction and decreased weight, while the Superfly seems more to us like a tighter Magista with a focus on fit. If you want the traditional Vapor experience, go with the Vapor X; if you want to try something that is Vapor-like but with additional tweaks, go with the Superfly.

Common concerns

The boot is durable, so for those who worry about it not lasting a season, if you take proper care of the boots, they will. The other concern has to do with the length of the boots, it is just a little bit long – but if you can get around the problem with thicker socks or simply just bearing with it, then the Vapor X has a lot to offer.

Conclusion

On the whole, the Mercurial Vapor X is a definite improvement over its predecessor. With a thinner upper that is softer and more flexible, a closer fit, a traction pattern that outperforms the Vapor IX in both grip and rotation when the foot is planted, Nike has produced another winner in its venerable Mercurial Vapor line. There are many boots out there where companies make changes simply for the sake of doing so, but for the Vapor X, Nike has listened to feedback from players and redesigned aspects that were not fully satisfactory, resulting in a boot that is much improved and quite simply, a joy to play in.

Rating

– Comfort 4/5
– Weight 5/5
– Dribbling 4/5
– Passing 5/5
– Shooting 5/5
– Protection 2/5
– Durability 4/5
– Biomechanics 4/5
– Injury concerns 4/5
– Suitability for Singapore 4/5

Score (Singapore context): 41/50
Score (Local conditions not taken into account): 37/45

Adidas Predator LZ 2 Review

Video Review:

Introduction

The Adidas Predator has undergone a radical change from its original roots as a “power boot”. While its hugely popular previous iterations focused very much on shooting and innovative ways to increase the power behind each shot, the current versions since the original Predator LZ have seen the Predator line become Adidas’ “control boot” silo, becoming in the eyes of many Adidas’ answer to Nike’s hugely popular CTR360 Maestri series (now taken over by the Magista). But don’t be fooled. In this review, we’ll tell you why the Predator actually stays very much true to its original roots as a “power boot”, and are not as different from previous versions as many seem to believe – and why, actually, we think the Predator should not be confined to any boot silo simply because it performs so admirably on all fronts.

Technical specifications

Upper

The Predator LZ 2 features Adidas’ proprietary Hybridtouch synthetic. This is a synthetic that many describe as Adidas’ attempt at creating a synthetic that mimics the touch of leather, but retain the desirable qualities of a synthetic (does not absorb water as easily, easy to clean, not as stretchy as leather). This could not be further from the truth. Adidas’ Hybridtouch feels nothing like leather; instead, the touch feels exactly like that its name suggests – a hybrid of the 2 materials. You get the barefoot feeling of a synthetic but at the same time, strangely (but wonderfully) you also feel just a hint of padding that does enough to prevent foot pain when striking the ball hard. It affords the player enormous confidence. As far as retaining the desirable qualities of a synthetic, the Hybridtouch upper performs just as it should – compared to a traditional leather soccer boot, the Predator LZ 2s did not absorb as much water, and were definitely much easier to clean even when conditions get rough and muddy. Some have reported issues with dirt getting stuck between the lethal zone elements, but simple toothbrush and water does the trick. The Hybridtouch upper does stretch, which is a good thing. What makes it even better is the stretch feels controlled and as such offers great lateral stability when making sharp cuts, which is rare on a pair of boots that offers stretchability. These boots fit very true to size (more on the fit later) and so may feel a bit tight, especially if you throw a pair of cushioned Trusox on together with it – give it a few hours of break-in time however, and you will be rewarded with a custom fit that feels nothing short of amazing. You will feel as if the boot has been tailor-made for you, and because of this amazing comfort, your game is unhindered – and there is nothing more we can ask from a pair of soccer boots. The upper is also sufficiently thick to protect your feet from any scything tackles that come flying your way – a truly unique feeling, especially when the boot offers such a premium barefoot feel at the same time.

As far as the Lethal Zones are concerned, they are exactly the same as the original Predator LZs – five elements comprising the Drive, Dribble, First Touch, Sweet Spot, and Pass Pad (or now, the Pass Strips) zones. The only difference is that they are now in varying assortments of ‘X’s and raised geometric patterns. I am going to go against what most people are saying for these zones right now. Firstly, these zones do provide grip on the ball, but not an inordinately large amount of it. The amount of grip is perfect, where you feel it and it prevents the ball from running away from you especially during the heat of the match where things are moving very quickly, yet avoids being so sticky that you find yourself tripping over the ball all the time. For those who are worried that these boots have too much grip, put those fears away. The amount of grip is just nice. Secondly, the naming of these zones for things they are supposedly meant for should be acknowledged as a gimmick. They do their job by providing just the right amount of grip, but as an example, the Dribble pad 1) isn’t going to make you a better dribbler and 2) should not be mistaken to be ONLY used for dribbling. Any self-respecting footballer will tell you that all parts of the boots can be used for all purposes, depending on the situation you find yourself in during a game (just ask Zlatan) – so don’t go away thinking that the First Touch portion is only to be used to make first touches. Unless you want a knock on your head from Zlatan. Interestingly, these rubber elements have a significant effect on how shooting with these Predators feel and in protecting your feet – more on that later.

There are other aspects of the upper that should be taken into consideration. The tongue is slightly padded (but not overly so) and so feels comfortable when the laces are pulled tight, without being too bulky and overwhelming. The heel of the boot seems cut a bit high, and discomfort may be experienced upon putting on the boot and moving your ankle, with maybe even some disconcerting restriction of movement felt. However, when actually playing, the heel is never felt cutting into your feet and there is absolutely no discomfort, even from first wear – in fact, you will find that the boots have a very supportive feel, while being relatively lightweight and responsive, which was a great feeling that not many boots on the market now offer. There is a plastic heel cup that will protect your feet well from the many snapping feet of defenders, and they do their job well. Throughout testing, our ankles came out unscathed.

Comfort (Fit, Inner materials, Sizing)

The fit of the Adidas Predator LZ 2 is nothing short of amazing. It hugs the foot all the way without being too restrictive. With the material following every curve of your foot, especially after some break-in time, the tailor-made feeling you get while playing is absolutely premium. This boot is suitable for people with neutral to wide feet – the boot starts out being neutral in width pretty much all the way throughout (forefoot, midfoot, heel) but because of the stretch Hybridtouch affords, players with wide feet should not shy away. The inner material of the upper is made of a nubuck/suede-like material, and feels exceptionally comfortable while providing slippage, especially when paired with Trusox – a real winner.

For sizing, definitely go true-to-size. The boots may feel a bit tight initially, but as mentioned previously, give it a few hours of break-in time and it will mould to your foot, providing a premium, custom fit, much like a leather boot would.

Soleplate/Traction

Adidas has stuck to its tried and tested Sprintframe soleplate with triangular studs, and there is no reason for them to deviate. In the forefoot, the lateral and medial sides of the boot have 3 studs each, with one stud in the middle, and the heel has 4 studs at the back. The triangular studs combine the best of both worlds in the conical studs versus bladed studs debate – it allows for excellent rotation with the foot planted in the ground, and ease of rolling the ball under your feet (very useful when you find yourself caught in tight spaces), while at the same time giving great grip when you’re pushing off and sprinting as well as cutting past defenders at tight angles. The soleplate, made of a lightweight plastic-like material, keeps you low to the ground, which makes you feel stable and quick on your feet. It also absorbs heat minimally, which means no burnt soles when playing on artificial turfs under scorching heat. The insole is also made of a low profile nubuck/suede liner, which again affords maximum comfort and minimal slippage.

Weight

The Predator LZ 2 weighs in at 8oz, which meets our criteria for a lightweight boot (generally, 8oz makes for a lightweight feel throughout the course of a game, as far as we are concerned). The boots have the ability to disappear on your feet due to the great fit and light weight, but there is just enough weight to ensure that the presence of the boot is felt – which in no way detrimental because it gives you a very solid feeling without hampering your game. It is a truly unique experience, and one that no other boot offers currently on the market. Absolutely top notch, and something you have to try to appreciate.

Performance

Dribbling

Dribbling with the Adidas Predator LZ 2s took us completely by surprise. With many of us having worn previous iterations of the Predators  throughout the years, we expected a cushioned grip, much like the leather uppers offered previously. Instead, we were treated to a premium barefoot feel on the ball, except this time with harder strikes our feet were protected by the thin but noticeable nubuck lining of the Hybridtouch upper. During close control, this nubuck lining curiously disappeared, and the barefoot feeling curiously resumed – we enjoyed it immensely. The close fit of the boot, matched with the thin Hybridtouch upper, meant that all our touches were true and precise; we were able to do anything we wanted with the ball. The Lethal Zones provided just enough grip to ensure the ball did not run away from us (so to speak) especially in wet conditions without being overly sticky. On the whole, dribbling was a joy in these boots.

Passing

The close fit of the upper, combined with the thin Hybridtouch, meant we could pick out our teammates easily with great precision. The thin nubuck lining prevented any sort of pain to our feet, which we were grateful for throughout the 90 minute course of a match.

Shooting

Shooting in the Adidas Predator LZ 2s was sensational, and is the reason why we frown when people suggest that the Predators no longer should be considered a “power boot”. The Hybridtouch follows the curves of our feet, is thin, and that when combined with the rubber elements (which provide a relatively harder surface) makes for an exceptionally clean and precise strike with efficient transfer of power from your leg to your boot. There is a satisfying thunk with every clean strike and the ball flies exactly to where you want it to go (assuming, of course, with the right technique) – which adds to the overall confidence that the boot gives you. The precision with each strike is very, very close to one you would get if you were, say, shooting with a pair of F50s or Vapors – except with greater efficiency of transfer of power, and a more solid feeling overall.

Off-the-ball running

As mentioned earlier, these boots have the ability to disappear on your feet, but maintain enough of a presence to give you a lightweight yet solid feeling when running off the ball. You tend to forget the boots are on your feet, and we at TSS feel that any pair of boots that can make you feel this way is a premium pair of boots.

Protection

Despite the thin Hybridtouch upper, we have found the Adidas Predator LZ 2s to offer excellent protection. The rubber elements play a big role in ensuring that studs that land on your foot are felt minimally. The internal plastic heel counter protects your ankles well, and we came out unscathed in each game we played regardless of the intensity of the game.

Durability

The Adidas Predator LZ 2s continue to shine where durability is concerned. The boots on the whole feel very solid, and this is even more remarkable considering it is such a lightweight boot. With these boots, you can expect more than a season’s worth of wear, especially if effort is taken to clean the boots each time after wear.

Local Quirks

In Singapore, most weekend warriors play at artifical pitches all over the island, in amateur leagues such as ESPZen. Most games take place at 1pm to 3pm, which is an incredibly hot time of the day. Heat waves can literally be seen emanating off the pitch. In these cases, we have found boots such as the Mercurial Vapor IX to literally burn our feet – it is very discomforting and can very easily throw off your game, since you will most likely be busy trying to prevent your feet from getting charred by hopping around. With the Adidas Predator LZ 2 however, the soleplate performs admirably. There is minimal heat absorption and nothing detracts us from our game. While our opponents were visibly distraught at their burning feet during the game, we weren’t – which again adds to the overall confidence that the Predators give you.

ABC (Anatomy, Biomechanics, injury Caution)

In general, we find that the Adidas Predator LZ 2s fit Asian feet better. Caucasians generally have feet that are a bit longer, which explains why many have found the need to go up half a size. For Asians, because of the shorter lengths of our feet, the fit of these boots is absolutely perfect if you go true-to-size. Do take note however that these are generalisations and the best thing to do would be to go to a store to try them out.

Where biomechanics are concerned, the Predator LZ 2s maximise the biomechanics of the human foot simply because they are so form-fitting. By following the curves of our feet and ensuring no dead space or areas with poor fit, the foot is able to function at its optimum range of motion and muscle tension, which ensures that you are able to perform to the best of your ability with no hindrances. The flex of the forefoot of the boot occurs maximally at the foot’s metatarsophalangeal joints (between the metatarsals and the toes), which gives you total control of the ball and a very ‘free’ sensation – again, adding to the confidence that you already have.

The protection the boot offers has been covered, and we find no injury concerns to report.

Comparisons

Most people would ask us the question: Which is better, the Adidas Predator LZ 2s or the CTR360 Maestri IIIs? To this we reply, they are different beasts. We find the Maestri to have much thicker upper that offers less flexibility than the Predator. We do not get that sensation of being as free as in the Predators, which bugs us a little. It is also heavier and does not have the ability to disappear on your feet. You don’t feel as free. That said, the Maestri does offer greater protection by virtue of its thicker upper, and it offers a more cushioned feel than the Predator. At the end of the day, it depends on what you are looking for; but for us at TSS, our personal preference is for the Adidas Predator LZ 2.

Common concerns

They are not too grippy, nor are they too heavy, so put those concerns to rest.

Conclusion

The Adidas Predator LZ 2 is a fantastic boot. The best way we can describe it is it is a boot that makes us feel the “free-est”, and in so doing, gives us utmost confidence to do whatever we want with the ball. If we could place this boot in any silo, we would put it in the “confidence-inspiring” silo. It is a boot that performs excellently in all aspects, and we would not hesitate in recommending it to any player. If you are looking for a boot that will free you from any hindrance and allow your abilities to take centre-stage, this is the boot for you.

Rating

– Comfort 5/5
– Weight 5/5
– Dribbling 5/5
– Passing 5/5
– Shooting 5/5
– Protection 5/5
– Durability 5/5
– Biomechanics 5/5
– Injury concerns 5/5
– Suitability for Singapore 5/5

Score (Singapore context): 50/50
Score (Local conditions not taken into account): 45/45