Adidas Predator Elite football boots review: Is there a more stylish high performance boot on the market? ...Middle East

I jumped at the chance to test out the new Predator Elite model which is far and away Adidas’ most famous football boot

Since debuting a fold-over tongue back in 1995, the German sports giants’ flagship Predator boot has cemented itself as the game’s iconic piece of footwear.

Predator Elite Fold-Over Tongue Boots, £240

Made famous by the likes of David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane, Adidas rolled back the years at the end of 2023 when they announced the return of its tongue feature to celebrate 30 years of the Predator.

The old-school classic remake clearly went down well with boot lovers, with Adidas now releasing another reimagined version of the 1990s favourites for 2025.

As well as the iconic tongue, the new boots boast Strikeskin grip zones and a HybridTouch upper to enhance ball striking and control.

As a keen footballer, I took to the pitch in the latest Adidas Predator Elite boots to see if this retro-inspired model could combine style and high quality.

How I tested

I got my hands on the Adidas Predator Elite boots in the core black colourway.

I first wore the boots to a team training session on an artificial grass pitch, before trying them out again days later in an 11-a-side match on grass.

There were several factors I had to consider when testing the Predator Elite.

To start with, I paid attention to the comfort and feel of the product on my feet, and how this impacted my movement on the pitch.

I then assessed how the boots felt whilst carrying out key football skills, such as striking and controlling the ball, as well as dribbling and in tackles.

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Adidas Predator Elite football boots review: quick summary

Predator Elite Fold-Over Tongue Boots, £240

Pros:

Cons:

Rating: 4.5/5

At first glance, it’s hard not to be drawn to the Predator Elite’s retro aesthetic, especially this particular 90s-inspired classic black boot.

From a visual standpoint, this model is the ultimate nod to the past, and there are plenty of other colourways available to suit just about every taste, including red, lemon and several white options.

And after lacing up in the Predator Elite and taking to the pitch, I was instantly sold on the boot as a whole.

Although it initially felt rather snug when first putting it on, the boot quickly moulded to my foot once I got moving on the pitch.

Despite all of its additional features and having the appearance of the original model from over 25 years ago, the Predator Elite still felt incredibly light and comfortable.

This model had every element of a top-class modern football boot but with the added bonus of looking just like a retro favourite.

I found the Predator Elite’s grip elements attached to the surface of the HybridTouch upper and the Strikeskin on the instep boosted both my ball striking, and my feel for the ball.

After trying them out in team training, I couldn’t wait to pull them back on for my 11-a-side match two days later.

Adidas Predator Elite football boots full review

Predator Elite Fold-Over Tongue Boots, £240

First impressions

As someone who has worn previous versions of the Adidas Predator without the tongue, I expected the 2025 Elite model to be much heavier as a result of its classic features

But I was pleasantly surprised, the boot was incredibly light to hold and its material felt soft, especially the upper part.

As mentioned, this traditional 90s black colourway and design inspired by the original 1998 Adidas Predator model makes for a very aesthetically pleasing boot.

This is perfect for footballers who love all things retro, whilst Adidas also caters for those keen on more vibrant options.

A big part of why the Adidas Predator Elite looks particularly impressive is its HybridTouch and Strikeskin features.

Known for being a grippy boot, this certainly looked to be the case, with these elements on show at first glance.

Performance

The Adidas Predator has a huge reputation, and with this Elite model costing £240, it certainly ranks towards the higher end of the price range when it comes to top-level football boots.

So it’s fair to say I had high hopes for this boot, and it did not disappoint.

Upon trying it on, the Adidas Predator Elite felt comfortable, well-harnessed and lightweight, even with a fold-over tongue and various touch and ball-striking technology elements to contend with.

As someone with a narrow foot, I even found this quite a snug fit around the forefoot at first.

Predator Elite Fold-Over Tongue Boots, £240

But after taking to the pitch and getting started, I quickly found I was able to feel more comfortable in the boot.

The model’s pliability meant it almost instantly moulded to my foot. It felt flexible and responsive to my movements.

The general narrow feel to the boot is worth noting for anyone with a wide foot, especially when factoring in wearing thicker, long socks for 11-a-side players.

The Adidas Predator Elite’s Strikeskin upper consists of rubber elements that allow you to influence the spin, power and accuracy of the ball.

I found this was a real boost when striking the ball – I was able to get more spin on crosses and could hit the ball harder with less effort.

This feature was perfect for me as a creative player, making it ideal for midfielders and wingers where good delivery is key.

As for the HybridTouch upper, this provided a nice feel when dribbling and controlling the ball.

I initially tested out the Adidas Predator Elite on an astroturf pitch, where I had no issues with the soleplate and its grip on the surface.

But playing on a muddy grass pitch two days later, I was still able to get a good grip underfoot. The boot seemed adaptive to both firm ground and artificial ground.

This model also came out on top in comparison to previous versions of the Predator I have worn.

Having previously used the Adidas Predator 18 and 19 boots from 2017 and 2018, neither of which had a tongue, I still found the 2025 version the lightest of all three.

Put simply, I felt the Adidas Predator Elite combined a comfortable, lightweight feel with top-quality ball-striking and touch features.

Predator Elite Fold-Over Tongue Boots, £240

The verdict

Despite a rather steep price, there can be little doubt that the Adidas Predator Elite delivers on all fronts as a high-performance football boot.

The comfort and weight of the boot combined with its technical elements was the model’s biggest plus for me.

I felt my technical game was helped by the HybridTouch and Strikeskin features, and at no cost of comfort.

The Adidas Predator Elite maintains the feel of a modern football boot whilst incorporating some really useful technology and a highly attractive, retro design elements.

This boot perfectly catered to my needs as a player, and I would certainly consider buying these boots again in the future.

How much is the Adidas Predator Elite Fold-Over Tongue boot?

The Adidas Predator Elite boot with a fold-over tongue can be bought for £240 directly from Adidas.

With the Elite the highest grade of boot available, other versions of the Adidas Predator also featuring the tongue are available for less.

At £140, the Adidas Predator Pro model is the first of the boot’s takedown models, while the cheapest version, the Adidas Predator League costs between £85 and £90 on the Adidas website.

The Adidas Predator Elite can also be bought from other sports retailers, including Sports Direct and Pro:Direct Sport.

While both advertise the boot at the same starting price, it is worth checking their websites for sales on this product.

Alternatives to the Adidas Predator Elite

If you’re looking for something similar at a lower price, the Skechers SKX01 Elite is a great alternative, with this top-of-the-range boot coming in at £195.

The New Balance Furon also makes for a more than adequate second option, which is priced at £220 on the retailer’s website.

Footballers looking for a slim and lightweight boot like the Adidas Predator Elite may also consider looking at the Under Armour Shadow Elites, available at £210 on their official online store.

For more sports, health and fitness deals and buying guides, check out our dedicated talkSPORT shopping hub.

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