The adidas Predator 24 FT has dominated the last 12 months like few boots ever have in the past, with release after release consistently hitting the mark. With the last colourway dropping this week, here we take a look back at all 17 editions.
Almost 30 years on from the debut of what was one of the most revolutionary boots of all-time, adidas released the all-new Predator 24 late last year, initially under the pseudonym Predator 30 (nodding to that 30th anniversary). This was a new beast with a very familiar aesthetic, mixing visual design elements of both the Accelerator and Mania – two of the most popular Predator models of all-time – with cutting edge technologies, making it the lightest Predator ever, simultaneously satisfying a thirst for nostalgia and delivering a boot that could compete at the highest level.
While there were three premium fit options in the laced, laceless and fold-over tongue (FT), it was the latter that was easily drawing the most hype. Issues with shipping through the Panama Canal meant the market was unable to meet the demand, but this only served to create more heat and an almost unprecedented level of appeal around the boot; if you got your hands on a pair of Predator 24 FT in the first few months of 2024, you were instantly set to stand out on pitch.
What followed throughout the rest of 2024 was hit after hit, as adidas rolled out a host of fresh colourways for the model – some nostalgia heavy, playing off the legacy of the boot, some progressive, some signature styles, but all feeling as premium as the legacy of the boot itself.
This week saw the release of the David Beckham x Originals Predator 24, the last colour update for the model in its current guise. While early glimpses suggest that there won't be any drastic changes for the Predator 25 (assuming that's what it'll be called), we've still seen the last of the current model, closing out arguably one of the strongest and most consistent runs in the history of the game. Only fitting then that we take a look back at all 17 Predator 24 fold-over tongue colourway releases. Which one is your favourite?
Predator 30 – Core Black/OffWhite/Legacy Burgundy – December '23
First out of the traps, the Predator 30 was presented in a luxurious take of the classic black, white and red, toned down all-round, with a muted “legacy Burgundy” shade of red and more of an off white. The black base featured a textured, almost reptilian scale effect throughout, while the brand’s new, clean performance logo looked like it was made for that returning tongue.
Predstrike – Solar Red/Core Black/Team Solar Yellow – December '23
Following its limited edition introduction to the world, the new generation adidas Predator 24 returned with ‘Predstrike’ – a special edition release presented in a bold “Solar Red/Core Black/Team Solar Yellow” colourway.
Solar Energy – Core Black/White/Solar Red – January '24
A proper beginning right here. The first two limited edition releases may have sufficiently whet the appetite, but this was the first wide release. It arrived in the famed black, white and red colourway, but made bolder in hue (officially “Core Black/White/Solar Red”), completed by vibrant yellow taping to proudly declare its position as its own boot, in its own right.
Pearlised – White/White – January '24
Stripping it all right back to the prototype look that we all saw doing the rounds on the likes of Jude Bellingham ahead of its reveal last year, this whiteout look was about as simplistic and pure as it gets.
Black – Black/Black – February '24
Hard to beat the clean and traditional aesthetics of a blackout boot. When that boot's the Predator 24 and you add in a splash of iridescence on the underside? Nuff said.
Roteiro – Tech Indigo/Tech Indigo/Vivid Red – March '24
Marking 20 years since both the iconic Roteiro ball and fan-favourite Predator Pulse boots graced the pitches of EURO 2004 in Portugal, adidas dropped the limited edition ‘Roteiro’ pack. It saw the Predator 24 FT reviving the Pulse’s signature red, silver and metallic blue colourway to great effect.
Y-3 – White/Core Black – March '24
About as elegant as they come, this limited edition look from Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto is arguably the most luxe of them all. The “Cloud White” base combined with a black fold-over tongue featuring Yamamoto’s signature. Almost too good for a football pitch.
Energy Citrus – Team Solar Yellow/Core Black/Solar Red – March '24
The homage-fuelled releases kept going throughout the year, and this time it was the Predator Accelerator ‘Electricity’ that was brought back into our collective consciousness thanks to this stunner.
Pure Strike – Ftwr White/Bright Red – April '24
Rumour is that the boot Trent debuted originally against Manchester City earlier in the season when announcing his switch to the Three Stripes was actually just a custom job, done on the fly. Whether that's true or not, adidas were pretty quick to roll out the look, dubbing it as ‘Pure Strike’. Not quite a signature edition, but as near as.
#Merky – Core Black/White/Lucid Lemon – May '24
adidas teamed up with long-time collaborator, Stormzy, for this bespoke look that arrived in Merky's familiar black and yellow combo. Merky sign off on the tongue for good measure.
Advancement – Lucid Blue/Ftwr White/Solar Red – May '24
The returning F50 may have stolen some of the Advancement Predator's thunder, but with the "Lucid Blue/Ftwr White/Solar Red" colourway instantly conjuring images of the "Japan Blue" Predator Mania from 2002, this one was always going to draw heat.
Dark Spark – Core Black/Carbon/Gold Met – June '24
Building off the blackout look from earlier in the year, the Dark Spark introduced golden accents onto the otherwise black base. A subtle foretelling of what was to come for Jude Bellingham later in the year...
Day Spark – Ftwr White/Gold Met – July '24
Part 2 of the early season blackout/whiteout double bill. Again, like Dark Spark, Day Spark featured golden accents but this time on a crisp white base.
Re-Emergence – Ftwr White/Solar Blue/Solar Pink – August '24
A more progressive look for the newer Predator generation, Re-Emergence took the original ‘Battle Pack’ look made famous at the 2010 World Cup a coloured it up for the modern day.
Vivid Horizon – Platin Met/Aurora Black/Carbon – September '24
A solid entry in the list, offering a look that's not a million miles away from the Roteiro release from earlier in the year, albeit far more widely available.
Belligold – Core Black/Gold met – October '24
The face of the Predator 24 from the off, the golden boy Jude Bellingham finally got his own signature edition version. The lux design didn't disappoint, pairing a black base with shimmering gold accents and Bellingham's signature sign-off on that fold over tongue.
David Beckham x Originals – Ftwr White/Bluebird/Team Royal Blue – November '24
After 30 years, David Beckham finally asked adidas the question, and here’s the answer. Two years in the making, it's the first time the Trefoil has ever appeared on a Predator, and boy does it make up for lost time.
Shop adidas Predator 24 boots at prodirectsport.com/soccer
