Adidas Predator Instinct 2014 Tribal Pack: Complete Performance Review

Adidas Predator Instinct 2014: Tribal Pack Review

Fans of the Predator before the LZ and LZ2, rejoice. The brand new Adidas Predator Instinct for 2014 brings the iconic boot back to its roots, oozing style and raw power, but now with the added dimension of control. Back when the LZ and LZ2 were launched, diehard Predator fans were in uproar – what had happened to the Predator as they knew it? Adidas had all the right intentions when they created a “control” boot, and the boots themselves were undoubtedly high performance products, but because the boots bore the “Predator” name, something always seemed to be missing. In 2014 however, Adidas has listened – and they have now created a Predator with all the history ingrained, and future represented with control and power now all in the same boot. So how do these boots fare in our rigorous testing, and do they live up to the tag of the best Predator we’ve seen so far? Read on to find out.

Technical specifications

• Upper: Hybridtouch upper, together with Lethal zones that are more raised than previous iterations. The zones are now no longer divided into the five zones as they were previously.
• Tongue: Hybridtouch
• Lacing: Adidas Taperlace – laces that are wider nearest to the ankle and tapers off gradually towards the toebox.
• Insole: Foam insert that is not too thin or thick. Mesh-like surface allowing for minimal sliding of the foot in the boot.
• Outsole: Most radical change. No longer the Sprintframe, but a more flexible Control frame. Made of TPU plastic.
• Studs: Trademark Adidas triangular studs.
• Weight: 10.0 oz

Performance aspects

Touch

The Predator Instinct has been designed around the concept of control (aside from power) and it shows. The Hybridtouch upper is a touch thicker on Adidas’ latest offering and it just seems to mimic the natural thickness of leather that much better than the previous Predator LZ and LZ 2. This can be both a boon and a bane because depending on your preference; compared to the LZ and LZ 2, it feels more leather-like in its quality. It may not be exactly the same, but it is quite a close approximation and you will enjoy these pair of boots if you enjoy thick leather boots. Do note that the Hybridtouch is soft and flexible right out of the box and it will further soften the more you play with the boots. Give it 3-4 hours of wear and you’ll see what we mean. What is not very often mentioned (and is something that many players will appreciate) is that the thicker upper offers much more protection compared to before and going in for harder tackles were less intimidating than before.

The discussion of touch will not be complete without going into the lethal zones on the Predator Instinct. For the 2014 Predator Instinct, Adidas have changed up the lethal zones. Firstly, no longer does each area have a specific name – they are collectively known as the lethal zones. Secondly, the shape and arrangement of the lethal zones themselves have been changed – they now have a zigzag pattern and look way more aggressive than their predecessors. The second change has actually brought about much concern to many players who are worried that the lethal zones will be too aggressive and hinder touch of the ball by causing the ball to stick to the boots while dribbling. Our assessment? Be assured that it will not be the case. While the redesigned lethal zones, being more aggressive than before, actually add more grip to the ball compared to the LZ and LZ2, the overall grip on the ball is still in the perfect range. Touches on the ball feel enhanced rather than artificial and sticky, and if you found the LZ2 to be perfect, the Instinct will be right up your alley.

Dribbling

The thicker upper combined with the lethal zones make the boots feel like a leather boot with enhancements to aid control. This makes the experience of dribbling very similar to using a pair of leather boots, but with some additions to increase grip on the ball but not to the extent where it hinders touch. The Hybridtouch is not extremely stretchable, so lateral stability is maintained when you are making quick cuts with the ball and getting out of tight situations.

Besides the upper, there are other aspects of the whole package that adds to a great dribbling experience. The fit of the Predator Instinct is one of them. They fit very similarly to the Predator LZ2 and if you recall our review on the LZ2, that was a very premium fit. It wraps your foot closely without being too restrictive. This means maximum ease and no hindrances/distractions while dribbling, and the ball goes where you want it to. If you liked the fit of the LZ2, you will like this as well.

The traction is the last factor to significantly improve the dribbling experience in the Predator Instinct. The triangular studs have always been a favourite with us and that is because they allow for great push-off when running due to the blade-like edges but plenty of rotation and maneuverability with your foot planted in the ground because of the general pseudoconical structure of the studs. It is a very holistic experience that the triangular studs provide, and one that provides a very responsive, enjoyable dribbling experience.

* An important aspect of the outsole that is often overlooked is the addition of raised ridges to further increase friction on the ball. This allows the player to roll the ball underfoot more easily and just adds to the entire experience of being control. This is a boot in which every detail is painstakingly considered and it shows in the truly impressive experience it provides.

Passing

Passing in the Predator Instinct is augmented by a gel or rather rubber padding that used to be the Pass Pad in the previous Predator LZ. This pad adds additional grip when making passes and it does make the generation of spin that much easier because of the way it grips the ball. The extra bulk it provides also provides a sensation of added power, although how hard you can kick the ball is still dependent on your own personal skills. The gel pad does not add too much friction, which is a concern that many players had and their worries that the ball would get stuck while passing were unfounded – on the contrary, because the gel pad provides quite a flat and uniform surface, it was actually very easy to place passes where you wanted them and this adds to the feeling of confidence when wearing the Predator Instincts.

Shooting

This is where the Predator has been truly brought back to its roots. The increased bulk, thicker upper, and more aggressive lethal zones all play on the very principle on which the Predator was created – to create the ultimate shooting experience. And right now, all we can say is that this Predator lives up to its name. When striking the ball, the increased bulk and thicker Hybridtouch upper provide the perfect platform to strike the ball hard. This is referring to not just the quality of the upper, which allows you to feel the ball yet not feel the pain, but also the structure and shape of the upper. The upper is noticeably flat which gives a uniform surface on which to strike the ball, and it really affords the player the sensation of being able to place the ball wherever you want it. The shooting experience is so important to Adidas this time round that even the outsole is configured to aid the shooting experience; there is just the enough rigidity to allow the efficient power transfer from the stiffness of the outsole, yet there is also a noticeable flexibility that does not hinder your foot movements so you can choose however you want to strike the ball without feeling encumbered. The lethal zones again provide that platform to generate a lot of spin on the ball, and is currently the aggressive boot on the market that allows that. Essentially, the designers behind the Predator Instinct has spared no expense and thought in creating a boot that provides the most holistic shooting experience, and so deservedly, this is where the Predator truly shines.

Protection

Protection was an area that the Predator LZ and LZ2 sacrificed. With the decrease in weight and thickness of the upper, and the institution of a much lighter sprintframe, the solid protection normally associated with the Predator series took a hit and many players switched from Predators to other silos as a result. With the latest Predator Instinct, Adidas has completely revamped their approach – much more sturdier materials are used, with greater bulk, and this converts to increased protection at all areas of the boot. The Velcro padding on the tongue, which serves the primary purpose of ensuring the tongue does not slide during a game, even offers from protective qualities due to the increased thickness. All in all, the Predator Instinct is a boot that you will feel very secure in jumping into hard tackles and challenges, and is certainly in line with the history of the famed Predators.

Sizing

For sizing, the Adidas Predator Instinct fits true-to-size and will be snug. Contrary to popular belief, the Hybridtouch material will stretch in spite of the Lethal Zones but there will not be enough length going down half a size. So we recommend to stick to your normal sizing especially if you are ordering online. As a gauge, if you have worn the LZ2 and found them to fit perfectly, follow that size.

Anatomy, Biomechanics, Injury Concerns

The fit of the Predator Instinct is similar to the Predator LZ and LZ2; the only difference is that the midfoot has been made a touch wider, which will accommodate players with a wider foot. To summarise, it is essentially decently wide throughout the forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot, and players with wide feet or flat feet should be able to fit into these boots. I have average to slightly wide feet, and they fit me perfectly true to size. They are not too long and so the overall fit is suitable for the typical Asian foot.

As far as biomechanics are concerned, we want to make a special note about an added function of the lethal zones that is not often mentioned. It actually provides loads of lateral stability and provides great satisfaction when making hard cuts, especially when combined with the sturdiness of the material. This offsets the mild loss in responsiveness due to its increased bulk and overall, still provides a very responsive experience as a result.

As mentioned earlier, the solid nature of the boot means we do not anticipate any injury problems, and the stud configuration has proven itself to perform very well on both firm ground and artificial ground, although we would always suggest using the appropriate stud configuration for the particular surface you are playing on.

Conclusion

The Adidas Predator Instinct is a refreshing change from the lightweight race that has captured our attention for the past year. It takes the Predator back to its original roots yet incorporates modern technology with the main aim of creating a holistic experience for the player, and does that impressively. For those looking for the ultimate Predator experience, we would recommend the Predator Instinct strongly.

– Comfort 5/5
– Weight 3/5
– Dribbling 4/5
– 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): 47/50
Score (Local conditions not taken into account): 42/45

The Adidas Predator Instinct: Tribal Pack can be purchased at Adidas Concept Stores or Weston Corporation for SGD329.