Twenty-two years ago, adidas Designer Wolfgang Scholz helped change the sport of football, with a shoe that launched one of the greatest product franchises in sporting goods history.

The Predator.

So drastically different in style and performance, it transformed the industry and improved the game of some of the world’s best players. “Our goal was to make the best football shoe ever created,” said Scholz. “It looked so different, but it also had function.”

Football legend David Beckham: “People talk about my style over the years, it began with the Predator boot. The first time I tried it, I was like ‘this really works’.”

Predator is back.

“The new Predator is the best of the old, with the best of contemporary technology,” says Sam Handy, Creative Director at adidas Football. “It’s much lighter, sleeker, and more refined.”

The Predator is also lace-less. “We’ve taken one of our best innovations and infused it with Predator DNA.” says Handy.

For the first time the Predator is also available in a turf version and a street shoe.

Like the original Predator which debuted at the 1994 FIFA World Cup hosted by the U.S., the new Predator’s release coincides with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Wolfgang Scholz who’s now retired says of the Predator, “it was my greatest accomplishment.”

Video – Evolution of Predator

Video – David Beckham on Predator

Video – The New Predator

(adidas)