ADIDAS PREDATOR X AND ADIPURE III WORLD CUP COLOURWAY
The World Cup is just around the corner and most brands have released their full range of boots. Adidas however still have one trick up their sleeve and it starts with this new colourway for the Predator X and AdiPure III.
Adidas will soon be launching their brand new speed boot; AdiZero. All three boots will make their appearance on African soil in a unified colourway, this Black/Sun World Cup colourway:
This, the tenth version of Adidas’ Predator range, the Predator X has been a big hit in the Premier League. It is a real pity that the ‘face’ of Predator won’t be donning a pair in the coming tournament. David Beckham’s injury has ruled him out but there are still plenty of stars who will be wearing Predator X come World Cup time. This classy Black/Sun version of the leather boots will no doubt be very eye-catching and we hope for some ‘eye-catching’ displays from their wearers.
The AdiPure III has become one of the most popular choices for creative players and midfielders. Many teams will be looking to players wearing AdiPures to provide attacking inspiration. Brazil have Kaka, England have Lampard, Spain have Alonso and so it goes… We expect this Black/Sun colourway to make these players stand out.
ADIDAS PREDATOR X VIDEO: THE POWER OF X
Adidas have released a new viral video. Take a look at Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard’s powerful striking ability – in slow motion. With the music in the background you may think you are watching a scene from Swan Lake as Gerrard’s movements are slowed to gracious and elegant pace. You won’t fool a goal keeper however!
NEW ADIDAS WHITE/BLUE/GOLD ADIPURE III COLOURWAY
The Adidas AdiPure has become one of the best ‘touch’ boots on the market. Their quality leather upper and classic design has made them a favorite with the heritage boot fans. The original release of the AdiPure III’s saw a White/Gold/Black version appear along with the traditional Black/White version. This is now the fourth incarnation after a Gold/Black version was released late last year. Frank Lampard, one of the main AdiPure wearers, has been using the White/Gold colourway but you can expect him to switch over to this one I’m sure. A great match for his Adidas supplied Chelsea jersey. It is a real blow that these won’t be seen on African soil unless a player brings a pair over with him for the World Cup.
NEW ADIDAS BLUE/SCARLET/WHITE PREDATOR X COLOURWAY
Following on from the release of the new Adidas Predator X is this new colourway. Blue/Scarlet/White is perhaps not a standard colour combination but it certainly stands out. Inspired by the Champions League, the boots have Gold trim and stitching as well as the Champions League logo on the inner. The style of the all new Predator X is a hot topic with a few to still be convinced about their look. Like the look or not, these boots are very, very good! Unfortunately we won’t see this colourway in our stores here in South Africa.
DAVID BECKHAM’S PREDATOR X BOOTS
All eyes were on the look out for who would be wearing the new Predator X and which colour they would choose to wear. Much speculation revolved around Adidas star man David Beckham.
The LA Galaxy man wore a custom red and white colourway (shown below).
Not only was his colourway unique but Beckham’s sole plate had an interesting look to it. Beck’s boots had an 8 stud combo instead of the usual 6 and had elements of the old Powerswerve boots. Have a look at the sole of the released pictures of the Predator X’s and the sole of DB’s boots.
Beckham’s all new Predator X boots.
Slightly off the topic…
This weekend saw the final of South Africa’s domestic rugby competition, The Currie Cup, take place in Pretoria.
Bryan Habana was spotted wearing the rugby version of the new Predator X rugby boots.
He wore a blacked out pair but when released they will be in a black/blue colorway. Very nice I would say.
PREDATOR X: THE TECHNICAL STUFF
PowerSpine:
A spine within the chassis of the boot that provides seven percent more power compared to its predecessor and reduces injury risk in the foot’s metatarsal area. The spine features flex grooves that bend in one direction for comfortable running movement but not in the other direction for kicking stability.
PREDATOR®:
Engineered PREDATOR® element integrated in the boot’s swerve zone that increases the contact time with the ball and provides a higher friction rate on a greater contact area, ensuring even more swerve, control and accuracy. The element’s new compound is thinner, softer and more flexible, giving the player a more natural feel and improved ball contact when shooting.
OptiFit:
Together with Zinedine Zidane, adidas combined technologies and materials (new last, TRAXION® and thermoform, medial split and mono-tongue) to bring the upper materials as close as possible to the foot, offering a snug and almost barefoot natural ball feeling. It gives the ultimate competition fit that provides high manoeuvrability, premium ball contact and feel.
X-TRAXION®:
Quick-change stud system for maximum pitch penetration and minimal stud pressure.
Taurus Supremacy:
Taurus leather combines a natural look, light weight, high abrasion and weatherproof features. Its specially designed weatherproof tanning and new nanotechnology in the finishing process ensures lower water absorption and superior resistance, guaranteeing a lightweight shoe throughout the game in any weather conditions.
Heel lining:
Further to Zinedine Zidane’s input, adidas introduced a structured silicon heel application that prevents foot and heel slip during extreme movement.
Taperlace:
Specially developed lace that reduces the material between the foot and the ball in the crucial kicking area. The lace is flat in the lacing area and wider in the area where you tie a knot.
ZIZU AND ADIDAS: A POWERFUL COMBINATION
Adidas and Zidane share a passion for precision and perfection. For Zidane, control on the ball is everything and with this guidance and further extensive player testing, adidas changed the PREDATOR® element in the swerve zone at the side of the boot. The new position and material increases the player’s contact time with the ball and enhances its swerve, control and accuracy.
Zidane, who has relied on the adidas PREDATOR® technology since 1996, was taken aback when he tested the new PREDATOR®_X, claiming “PREDATOR® was always my weapon of choice but this PREDATOR®_X gives a power like never before, I need to start playing football again!”
Zidane helped take the elite quality and fit of the PREDATOR®_X boot to its new benchmark level. The improved PREDATOR®_X OptiFit technology brings all of the shoe’s materials as close as possible to the foot, creating a snug, three-dimensional ergonomic shape around the foot and providing greater control in movement and ball control and handling.
Upon wearing the PREDATOR®_X, Zidane said: “The PREDATOR®_X upper is as soft and thin as possible and the outsole very flexible, nevertheless giving me stability in all directions and control over my feet.”
Together with Zinedine Zidane, PREDATOR®_X was developed over five years by a team of experts from different fields including biomechanic and material specialists, and design and footwear developers. Extensive testing of prototypes and the final boot was conducted with more than 150 professional and amateur players, guaranteeing the PREDATOR®_X meets the highest standards in terms of performance, functionality and design.
THE ALL NEW ADIDAS PREDATOR X
Adidas releases its PREDATOR®_X for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, a new football boot designed with French football legend Zinedine Zidane, that achieves the highest ball power, swerve and control ever achieved in the sport.
Almost every country embraces the number 10 in football to designate the best, most skilful player in the team. Just as Zidane is world-famous for having worn the number 10 in the French national side, the new PREDATOR®_X boot, the tenth generation of the PREDATOR® family which has led football for more than a decade, is tipped to augment the power to come in the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.
The new boot will make its debut in South Africa during the Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend. Orlando Pirates Captain Benson Mhlongo and Thembinkosi Fanteni are the two adidas sponsored stars who will be wearing the new boot in that game. An additional six South African players will also be wearing the new PREDATOR X in other games taking place this weekend –pushing the total of players wearing PREDATOR X to eight. These players include: Morgan Gould (Supersport), Excellent Walaza (Bloemfontein Celtic), Calvin Marlin, Matthew Booth, Innocent Mdledle (all Mamelodi Sundowns) and Thulani Hlatshwayo (Ajax Cape Town).
Top international; Adidas players relying on the new PREDATOR®_X technology include: Michael Ballack (Germany – Chelsea FC), David Beckham (England – LA Galaxy), Mark van Bommel (Netherlands – FC Bayern München), Diego (Brazil – Juventus FC), Steven Gerrard (England – Liverpool FC), Mark Janko (Austria – Red Bull Salzburg), Lucio (Brasil – FC Internationale Milano), Robin van Persie (Netherlands – Arsenal FC), Raúl (Spain – Real Madrid CF), Daniele De Rossi (Italy – AS Roma), Patrick Vieira (France – FC Internationale Milano), Xavi (Spain – FC Barcelona) and many more.
They had this to say about the new boot:
Raúl (Spain – Real Madrid CF) said: “I think this is the best PREDATOR® yet, it feels so comfortable. I love the mono-tongue which allows me to close the shoe tighter. I am really looking forward to 2010 and wearing the new PREDATOR®_X.”
Steven Gerrard (England – Liverpool FC) said: “The PREDATOR®_X is outstanding with an absolutely dreamlike fit and something that feels like more power. It is so comfortable that it feels like a slipper which helps me control the ball and gives me perfect ground control. But when you hit the ball the slipper turns into a power-driven machine.“
Mark van Bommel (Netherlands – FC Bayern München) said: “Football has become such a fast sport that the shoes need to support every movement that I make. Especially as a midfielder, it is vital that my shoes fit perfectly and tight. I can get perfect ball control with the PREDATOR®_X because every single millimetre of the upper is touching my foot.”
Diego (Brazil – Juventus FC) said: “As a technical player, the PREDATOR®_X gives me a barefoot feeling as there is as little material as possible between my foot and the ball. The new rubber element is softer and thinner and supports a better ball feeling. I always loved the PREDATOR® as it always fitted perfectly, but this one is a completely different level of perfect.”
The new PREDATOR®_X will be available at retail in November 2009. Further models will be brought to market throughout 2010 for the UEFA Champions League knock-out phase and the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa.