Adidas Predator Cup Unreleased Prototype 1994 SG
Very good used condition - possibly used for testing a couple times. Light hairline cracks along the left sole plate.
The Upper:
- This is a very rare pre production prototype design that was used prior to the release of the very first Predator, likely in late 1993 or early 1994
- It features many similar characteristics of the final product, but also a few key differences
- This prototype uses a thin leather tongue, overall the shape is nearly identical to the final product but it did not feature the thick rubber element with the Predator logo stitched on
- The same rubber element design was used near the forefoot, but it stops towards the middle and top part of the three white stripes. It also does not continue along the outside towards the heel, as it did in the retail models.
- On the back of the boots at the heel, the Adidas branding is printed on in silver, instead of raised rubber lettering as used in retail pairs
- The back of the heel is also leather with a stitched "scale" like design, instead of the rubber element as used in retail models
The Sole Plate:
- The same exact sole plate as the retail models was used, a one piece design with 6 screw in aluminum tipped studs
- The studds on this pair are at nearly full length, about 90%, the boots were likely used a couple times for testing. Slight hairline cracking to the left sole plate
Notes and Comments:
- What a boot, one of the world's rarest prototype and a nearly unheard of design. There are perhaps 1 or 2 other prototypes known in existence that are similar to this
- Size tags are similar to the retail size tags, Made in Germany, same font, no production date or other info
- The upper is actually a bit nicer and much sleeker than what was released (my own opinion), the lack of the rubber elements along the sides of the boots make them a bit more appealing
- The tongue is very thin, just a thin piece of leather with hardly any structure, however it makes it less noticeable and much less bulky
- Not even Adidas has this prototype in their archive, a true treasure of the OG Predator boots. These are one of the earliest Predators you'll ever find, likely produced and used in 1993 or early 1994 prior to releasing the OG Predator
