Right, so these adidas Predator boots without laces… I kept seeing them everywhere. Online, guys wearing them at the park. Looked slick, I gotta admit.
For ages, I stuck with my trusty old laced boots. You know, the ones you gotta tighten just right, double knot, tuck the ends away. Felt secure. But these laceless ones… they looked clean. No fuss.
Getting My Hands on Them
Finally decided to give them a go. Didn’t order online, wanted to actually try them on. Went to the local sports shop. Found a pair of Predators, the laceless version. Can’t remember the exact fancy name they give each model now, they change so often.
Pulling them on was… different. Really snug. Like, super tight around the middle of my foot. Almost uncomfortable for a second. Used the little pull tabs at the front and back to wiggle my foot in. Felt secure, yeah, but in a weird, compressed kind of way. Not like the hug of laces.
First Time on the Pitch
Took them out for a training session first. Didn’t want to risk it in a proper match straight away.
- Running: Felt okay. Light. Didn’t feel like they were gonna fly off, which was my main worry.
- Passing: The touch felt… clean. No laces interfering. Felt quite direct hitting the ball.
- Shooting: This was probably the best bit. Striking the ball felt really pure off that clean upper surface. Enjoyed that a lot.
- Changing Direction: Here’s where I noticed a difference. Quick cuts, sharp turns… maybe didn’t feel quite as locked down as my laced boots cranked tight. Just a tiny bit of movement inside, maybe? Or maybe it was just in my head.
So, What’s the Real Deal?
They’re not magic boots. They don’t suddenly make you a better player. The lockdown is good, surprisingly good for no laces, but is it exactly the same as perfectly tied laces? Maybe not quite, for me anyway. And you definitely still need to get the right size, maybe even more important than with laces where you have some adjustment.
It’s funny, you see loads of different opinions. Some guys swear by them, won’t go back. Others tried them and went straight back to laces. Then you got the different Predator versions… some say the older laceless ones were better, some prefer the newest ones. It’s a bit messy, everyone’s got their own idea.
Why did I even bother switching?
Honestly? Part of it was just curiosity, seeing all the hype. But mostly… I was just getting a bit fed up with laces. Sounds stupid, right? But before every game, especially those cold Sunday mornings, messing about with laces, getting them just right, tucking them in… it just felt like a chore I didn’t need. Maybe I’m just getting old and lazy.
I remember my old teammate, Gary, saw me with them. Laughed his head off. Said I was just trying to look like the pros. Maybe he had a point. But I also remember tripping over my own undone lace once, right when I was about to shoot. Missed the chance. Maybe that stuck in my head more than I realised. These laceless ones… they’re just simpler. Pull them on, play. Done.
So, yeah. They work. They feel good to strike the ball with. The lockdown is decent enough for my level. Are they perfect? Nah. Are they convenient? Definitely. I’m still using them. Might even get another pair when these wear out, unless they bring out something even weirder next year.
