Adidas Predator Malice FG Rugby Boot Review — Borrowing From the Best

The Malice line of Adidas rugby-orientated Predator models have seen some changes in recent seasons, ones which combine some of the best technical add-ons from other parts of Adidas’ line-up into something that’s more specifically geared towards the 15-man game, which is a a blessing given that some of the football boots out there just don’t give what many need on the rugby pitch.

Of course, you could slip on a pair of just about any boot and get away with it on a South African rugby pitch, but having some of the more nuanced elements on the Malices make picking them as your go-to option a much easier decision.

Firstly, the previous Malice generation (which we reviewed here), implemented certain features from older Predators across the football range, including rubberised-tabs to help with some control and manipulation when kicking. However, the new model incorporates more diamond-shaped rubberised beads across the medial forefoot, far closer to those seen on Adidas’ Predator Freak model. These are larger and more pronounced than the older model’s rectangular nubs, and make a noticeable difference when biting into a fresh rugby ball during a kicking session.

Another noticeable upgrade is the inclusion of Sense Pods, which are essentially fancy jargon for cushioned areas that sit snuggly around the heel and ankle area of your foot, nestling gently into the bone crevices for extra comfort. These aren’t brand-new though, as they did feature on the Copa Sense — again, from Adidas’ football boot line-up.

Rather than having that hollow and exposed feeling around your ankle, the new Predator Malices definitely have a snugger, more comfortable feel around the ankle area, giving you a lot more confidence when making turns, cuts, and helping you feel more connected to the boot thanks to the improved lockdown. There’s just less space for your ankle to wiggle, which is a good thing.

As for comfort, the boots also utilise the tried-and-tested all-conical stud layout. While it isn’t going to win any innovation awards or add something game-changing, in a rugby context, it works. You see, while blades and sharper chevron-shaped studs are great for intense grip and acceleration, they don’t give many agile rugby players the flexibility they needed when pivoting, cutting, or rotating. The triangular and more linear bladed studs do pose a problem with rotating while embedded, which could lead to injuries and joint strain. This back-to-basics approach has made the Predator Malice a far more accessible, less aggressive, and dynamic boot for more types of surfaces and playing styles.

Another added improvement is the inclusion of the Sprintframe soleplate onto the Malices. Rather than being relatively flat, there is a slight heel raise and counter for a more comfortable foot position to alleviate some stress on your calves and Achilles. The lighter and more ergonomic Sprintframe was popularised on some of Adidas’ older F50 models, which then made its jump into the rugby market on the original RS7s, so seeing it on a ‘control’ boot, is a fantastic addition.

Design-wise, the current Malice generation does come in a few colour variants, but the black, red, and white combination harks back to the more iconic Predator colours of old, which is a nice touch. The predominantly black base with red stripes on the medial side, as opposed to the lateral side, is an interesting adjustment, and the incorporation of white using the raised rubber points is a clever integration of getting white onto the boot.

Despite having quite an aggressive and ‘thick’ appearance, the boots are surprisingly light, weighing in just over the rugby speedboot variant, the RS7, but it’s negligible.

The Predator Malice is arguably the most dynamic boot in the dedicated rugby market, integrating all the best bits from Adidas’ other football lines, such as the SensePods and rubberised kicking zone, and pairing it with a soft synthetic upper and classic stud pattern for something that’s admittedly not easily available in today’s boot market.

*Review item was purchased by MenStuff and was not supplied by Adidas.