adidas Mutator 20.1 Firm Ground Football Shoe

Product Information

With the Predator 20.1, I traded in my FG (firm ground) variant for the artificial ground (AG) variant and it worked wonders for me.

There is no shoehorn included with these, so it might take you a minute or two to loosen the laces and open them fully up to make entry easier. That is the key to your first time wearing them, allowing the boot to truly breathe and loosely stretch around your foot. Plan to wear them with the laces completely open for the first five minutes, just to get a feel for them. Then lace them and tighten them to your own specifications. Would I Buy Them: Yes, yes and yes. Even better value if you can find a pair that are on sale! Really enjoyed what they have on offer. With the new adidas Predator Freak .1 (in FG), I went half a size down as I assumed not much has changed since the previous generation. As expected, going down half a size reduced the excess forefoot and heel space but to my pleasant surprise, the midfoot isn’t as tight as it used to be.Notice how the Freak with the FG soleplate (left) has a more narrow curve around the midfoot while the 20.1 with the AG soleplate (right) has a broader, straighter cut around the midfoot.

In the newer model, they’ve made the Demonskin spikes softer and thinner and have spread them out more across the boot. They’re more spaced out and you can find them in areas that were bare in the previous generation, namely the lateral and medial sides of your foot. What I’ve come to realise is that while the Predator’s upper material is very thin, the Demonskin spikes take away a lot of that close touch on the ball because of how firm and densely populated the spikes are across the upper. I don’t see that as a problem but it may be for some players who want a closer feel of the ball. With the adidas Predator Freak .1, the designers in Germany found a solution for this. Here lies a very valid question given the importance of the rubber spikes to the actual performance of the boot. What can you expect from those all important rubber spikes that cover the surface? From my experience with them, and this is my second time testing a pair, durability will not be an issue. adidas implement a layered system, designed to give the spikes a proper chance at long term survival. From inside-out you get a soft inner lining, then a second layer that includes the rubber elements placed through the Primeknit material. On top of that, a very thin membrane creates a bonded upper casing that secures everything in place. Across the entire time I’ve worn them, none of the spikes have been damaged or shown sign of probable wear. Loosen up the laces generously and wear the boots at home for 30-60 minutes to have the upper stretch. Right out of the box, you are going to spend valuable time trying to comprehend what the wild upper styling is all about. Take them out, explore the design and become familiar with the radical upper texturing. There really isn’t anything else like it on the market, with adidas cornering the power category via a release that follows the true DNA of what a Predator release is supposed to be.

In This Section

I don’t really have a lot of complaints, to be honest. They are the type of boot you enjoy wearing and want to wear again. This version of the boot is what I’d compare as being a “true” Predator release! Retail Details Having worn both the FG and AG soleplates, there are some minor differences which evens out over time. As previously mentioned, the AG soleplates have a more natural midfoot which is not as tight as the FG. The FG’s narrow midfoot also causes the insole to produce a slight curve, almost like an anatomical soleplate, that rests just below the balls of your feet. The curvature flattens as the boot’s midfoot stretches but I don’t recall feeling this very curve on the AGs. A new generation of power boot”– that is how adidas labeled their latest Predator Mutator when it was released earlier this year. This version, the adidas Predator 20.1, has the look of a real Predator, with a low cut collar, laces and some unique technology across the forefoot providing a fresh dynamic for striking the ball. One thing is for sure, there isn’t a lot of difference between how my pair felt the first I wore them and how they feel after testing. In other words, when you try them on a pair, that is the fit you can expect from them. Any stretch in the material has been very minimal. I’d compare them as being a “snug” wide fit. Odd, right? I don’t think I’ve ever used that description before, giving you some indication that they are very different from other boots on the market. What I mean is that they are on the wider side, but the material and upper shape sits snug across the forefoot. You still get copious amounts of grip all across the boot so it’s a win-win for me. Demonskin’s devilish good looks

Despite this, I have come to really love the Predator and while this was initially meant to be my Post Hype Review where I share my thoughts on the boot after playing in them for the past year, the good people of adidas has shared with me the latest version of the boot for review – the Predator Freak .1. Innovative Demonskin uppers are engineered from head to toe and designed to be durable, breathable and comfortable. They envelop the foot for a complete all-round fit that stays in place for the whole game. Soft rubber spikes poke through the knitted upper giving you total control of the ball along with unparalleled bending and spinning. The upper is finished with a full-lace closure in a tonal shade. Ground-Breaking, Inside and Out On foot, they feel really nice. The fit and contouring inside the boot creates a perfect connection with your foot. And there is nice space in the forefoot cavity that gives you a comfortable sensation from first wear, you don’t have to break in the upper or hope that is stretches. There is already a spacious fit on offer. Going true to size, it was obvious that the fit in the boot was different from most boots. It had a wide forefoot and heel while its midfoot was uber narrow and tight. Our team at BOOTHYPE concocted a solution for the fit. Some players like a mid cut collar, others prefer a standard cut. It all comes down to personal preference and what you enjoy. For me, the freedom you get from a standard cut, where your ankle is more mobile and free from added material over the ankle bone, makes them much more appealable to me. It also means that the brand is spending less time trying to figure out how to make the materials through that area work in unison with stressing out other parts of the boot.When striking the ball, it provides a extra spring and cushion, which actually plays positive to their performance. In fact, that is kind of what the DNA of a Predator is all about, and as it goes, adidas has really created a material and style that does capture the vision of a Predator. In game, I had several moments where I really appreciated what they had on offer, one example being when I rounded a keeper and shot from a very tight angle. The added grip allowed me to truly manipulate the ball in those circumstances. So, they definitely fit the bill as top power boot option for players that value striking shots in or around the box. How Durable Is DEMONSKIN?