Laced Up | adidas Predator LZ II Review
Still undecided on which boots you'll be returning to pre-season in? Brands have laid their cards on the table ahead of the new campaign and you've seen your choices but if experience is anything to go by, you can never go wrong with a pair of adidas Predators. We've put them through their paces to see if the latest generation Pred is all that.
In previous seasons we've seen numerous players try out different brands and silos but always end up returning to the trusty Predator. The famous boot has been an ever present on pitch since it was released in 1994 and the 13th generation is the result of radical changes in recent years making it almost unrecognisable from the traditional Predator. The Pred is renown for its versatility, it's one of the only boots that is worn all over the pitch from keepers, to centre backs to wingers to strikers. 
From taking the boots out of the box to putting them on it's obvious to see how much the Predator has evolved. Just like the previous LZ the boot has an essence of f50 about it; it's incredibly light and feels streamline when you're lacing up. The upper of the boot cradles your heel to create a comfortable and snug fit, a moulded to the foot style of comfort that feels as if your feet have been transformed into shooting weaponry rather than feeling like you've just put your feet in an empty case.
When you put on any adidas Predator you immediately want to start pinging balls. The 'lethal zones' on the new LZ II feel softer than the previous version, you feel you can kill the ball dead from any height, your first touch grips the ball instantly. If you've naturally got a trampoline touch and find your second touch is always flying into a tackle then they're not going to turn you into Xavi but they do offer a platform to pluck a ball out the air ready to pick your next pass.
The 'Sweet Spot' zone has been enlarged which generates increased spin when striking the ball; curling the ball from set plays is made effortless, as long as you make contact with the ball in the right place the boot does all the spin for you. Ideal if you've managed to wangle your way onto free kick duty or even if you're a full back looking to play a ball down the line that bends around to play your striker in. The spin the boot creates feels as if it's allowing you to pick passes around corners rather than having to play over the top.
The outstep of the boot is again similar to the previous LZ and just like the instep of the boot it allows you to curve the ball with clean connection. The softer lethal zone feels like the ball is gently being pushed as your dribbling and is an added bonus for players who are reluctant to use their weaker foot.
The sole of the boots feature the same ultra light sprint frame found on both the f50 and first LZ. It's a case of if it's not broke why fix it for adidas, they reckon they've stumbled across a winning formula and they're sticking with it. However, we feel that since the release of the adiPower the sole plate the inside of the boot has become flatter, so players with high arches may find them a little harder to get used to.
When shooting the Predator is bang on for finesse shots, if you're in on goal at an angle you feel confident in bending a shot around the keeper's reach. The Pred is in its element when you're shooting from long range, you can really get hold of first time shots; the ball feels like it grips to the boot when you connect with it rather than it sliding across your boot and resulting in a slice.
The tongue on the new Predator LZ II is more padded than the orginal LZ, which makes shooting more comfortable as well as the boot and your shots feeling more powerful. 
Summary: No matter what position you play the Predator is notorious for being the ultimate all round football boot. It packs a serious punch in front of goal and the improved lethal zones deliver the tools to put a pass a on plate for a teammate. No boot is as equipped to offer you the same confidence in possession and we'll finish this review in the same way we started it - you simply can't go wrong with the adidas Predator. It's famous for a reason.
