Review
Predator 26 Review
We haven't tested the Predator 26 ourselves. Here's what the independent reviewers who have are actually saying.
We haven’t put the Predator 26 through its own paces on a pitch, so we’re not going to pretend we have. What follows is a review built from the independent reviewers who have — principally FootballBoots.co.uk and Cleatshub, with a handful of other sources on specific points — read carefully and attributed, not invented. Where reviewers disagree, we say so rather than picking a side.
At a Glance
| Boot | adidas Predator 26 (Elite and Pro tested by reviewers; see our Elite vs Pro vs League comparison for what separates the tiers) |
| Best for | Players who want to influence play: control tempo, distribute, strike through the ball |
| Fit | Narrow-to-medium last, shallower through the midfoot than older Predators; some reviewers found it ran small |
| Break-in | Stiff out of the box; most reviewers report 30–45 minutes to soften, two to three sessions to settle fully |
| Touch and traction | Reviewers are split — see below |
Who adidas Built It For
FootballBoots.co.uk’s review, co-written by Dean Ariola and Ian Ebbs, positions the Predator 26 for players who want to influence play: footballers who control tempo, distribute possession, strike through the ball and dictate play under pressure. That’s a continuation of what the Predator has always claimed to be, rather than a change of direction.
Fit and Sizing
This is where reviewers agree least. One review of the Pro says it runs small, and reported adidas return data suggests a meaningful number of buyers are sizing up. Several reviewers describe a narrow-to-medium last that’s shallower through the midfoot than older Predators, with the toe box feeling tight to some and roomy to others on the same boot. One Elite reviewer noted dead space over the forefoot instep, with the heel feeling loose on a narrow foot until the boot broke in; Cleatshub’s Elite review scored fit at 5.6 out of 10.
Set against that, at least one retailer-style guide lists the Elite and Pro as regular fit and recommends buying your usual size.
Our own advice, same as on the where-to-buy guide: don’t size up just because the boot feels stiff in the box, try it on in person if you can, and check the returns policy before you order online.
Break-In
This is the one point reviewers consistently agree on. The textile mesh upper is stiff when new, softens noticeably after around 30 to 45 minutes of play, and takes roughly two to three sessions to feel fully broken in. If your first impression out of the box is “too firm,” that appears to be normal rather than a bad pair.
Touch
Reviewers disagree here too. Some describe a direct, tactile feel with less material between foot and ball than earlier Predators. Others say that dropping the rubber strike ribs that previous generations relied on costs the boot some of the grip and first-touch help those elements gave. Cleatshub’s Elite review scored touch at 5.9 out of 10.
Traction
Also mixed. Some reviewers praise the soleplate for quick changes of direction; at least one found the boot less grippy on the ground than expected. Cleatshub’s Elite review scored traction at 6.5 out of 10.
Elite vs Pro
We found little in the reviews that separates the Elite and Pro specifically beyond the spec differences covered in our Elite vs Pro vs League comparison — most of the hands-on detail above comes from Elite reviews, with less (and thinner) coverage of the Pro on its own.
Our Honest Take
The reviews we could find don’t add up to a consistent verdict, and we’d rather say that plainly than force one. The break-in is the one thing almost everyone agrees on: expect a stiff boot for your first session or two. Beyond that, fit, touch and traction read as genuinely divided opinions between reviewers who’ve tested the same boot, not just different writing styles — which suggests real pair-to-pair or foot-shape variation rather than one “correct” answer. If you’re deciding whether to buy, that’s a reason to try the boot in person where you can, rather than relying on any single review, including this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Predator 26 run true to size?
Reviewers disagree. Some describe it as true to length with a narrower midfoot; others, particularly on the Pro, report it running small. Try before you buy where possible.
Is the Predator 26’s touch better than the Predator 25’s?
Reviews are split. Some reviewers prefer the more direct feel of the newer upper; others miss the grip the rubber strike elements on earlier Predators gave. See our Predator 26 vs 25 comparison for the full spec differences.
How long does the Predator 26 take to break in?
Most reviewers report the boot softening after 30 to 45 minutes of play, with two to three sessions needed to feel fully broken in.
Should I buy the Elite or the Pro?
Review coverage doesn’t clearly separate the two on performance. For the spec and price differences, see our Elite vs Pro vs League comparison.
Related: Where to Buy the Predator 26 · Elite vs Pro vs League · Predator Sizing and Fit