A new Predator generation doesn’t just arrive; it announces itself. Loudly. The adidas Predator 26 “Finishers Steel” does exactly that, stepping out as a limited-edition teaser for the 2026 silo and bringing with it a heavy dose of heritage fused with next-era engineering.
After tapping into nostalgia with the Predator Mania Gunmetal rerelease last week, adidas keeps the metallic momentum rolling. The Predator 'Finishers Steel' official colourway — “Iron Met./Ftwr White/Lucid Red” — dives straight into Predator mythology, reviving the iconic Gunmetal aesthetic first used in 2003. The silver-grey shell carries a cool industrial sheen, while the Three Stripes, inspired by the Predator Precision, slice down the boot in that unmistakable wavy formation. Red detailing fires through the design, hitting the fold-over tongue and key accents to create the classic Predator warning signal: danger incoming.
And yet beneath all of that legacy styling, what adidas has built here is unapologetically modern. Engineered with a lightweight construction from the ground up, the Predator 26 homes in on the demands of the contemporary game. The return of the POWERSPINE brings a lightweight, full-length plate through the sole, delivering midfoot stability and adding serious ammunition to every strike. It’s a tool sharpened for players who finish with conviction.
Across the upper, adidas introduces NANOSTRIKE+, a reimagined mesh construction blending softness, lightness, and integrated grip elements. It contours naturally to the foot, creating an instinctive connection between control, touch and striking precision. Paired with a PRIMEKNIT collar for adaptive lockdown and breathable mesh with a microfiber lining for comfort through the midfoot, the whole package moves with a fluid, sock-like fit that never loses its edge.
Underfoot, the STRIKEFRAME shifts the Predator forward again. An updated stud configuration fuels traction and rotational agility, optimising the boot for the modern attacker’s stop-start rhythm, sharp pivots and decisive final-third movements. It’s a setup designed to give finishers the fraction of a second they need to create separation — and punish.
Despite the innovation, the boot still knows where it came from. The return of the fold-over tongue ensures the Predator silhouette hits all the right notes, offering a clean striking surface and a nostalgic heartbeat beneath the armour. This is a Predator styled for the future but built with full respect for the past.
Thomas Mace, VP of Design at adidas, sums it up: “The Predator DNA is all about control. With the new Predator, we’ve evolved that DNA for the modern player to create a boot that is lighter, sharper, and tuned for precision. Every element is engineered to empower players who create and finish moments that decide matches.”
The Predator “Finishers Steel” is officially the successor to the Predator 2025, but more importantly, it’s the face of what’s coming next — a boot sculpted for cold-blooded finishing, engineered for split-second dominance, and unmistakably Predator in every detail. Limited numbers now, full revolution incoming.
The adidas Predator 'Finishers Steel' will be available to purchase from 2 December at prodirectsort.com/soccer
