A Complete Guide to Adidas Football Boots 2017: Performance Review & Buying Tips

Let me tell you, when I first saw the 2017 Adidas football boot lineup, I knew we were looking at something special. Having tested dozens of cleats over my playing career and coaching years, I can confidently say this collection represented one of Adidas's strongest offerings in recent memory. What struck me immediately was how they managed to balance technological innovation with practical performance - something that's harder to achieve than most people realize.

The numbers from that Barangay Ginebra game where J. Aguilar dropped 31 points while others like Malonzo added 17 and Thompson contributed 16 - these statistics aren't just random numbers to me. They represent exactly what these boots were designed for: enabling players to perform at their absolute peak. When you're putting up numbers like that, every piece of equipment matters, and the 2017 Adidas lineup delivered where it counted. I remember testing the Nemeziz series specifically - that agility-focused boot with its unique torsion system actually reminded me of how Thompson moved on court, those quick cuts and sudden direction changes that left defenders scrambling.

Now, let's talk about the three main silos because this is where Adidas really nailed it. The Predator, oh the Predator - what a comeback story! After they briefly discontinued it, the 2017 version returned with this incredible Controlskin technology that genuinely improved ball touch. I've worn boots that claimed to enhance control, but this was different. That textured surface actually worked, giving you what felt like extra milliseconds of contact time with the ball. Then there was the X series, built purely for speed. When I see players like Rosario and Abarrientos putting up 11 points each in that fast-paced game environment, I can't help but think about how the X17's lightweight construction and sprint frame outsole contributed to those explosive moments.

The Ace series was probably my personal favorite though - the perfect all-rounder. What made it special was the Primeknit upper combined with that Fold-over tongue, creating this customized fit that felt like it was molded specifically for your foot. I remember thinking this was the boot for players like Brownlee who contributed 10 points while doing a bit of everything on the court. The comfort level was unmatched, and I'd argue it had the best ground control of any boot I tested that year.

Here's my honest take - if you're looking for buying tips from someone who's been through this, the 2017 lineup taught me that specialization matters. Don't just buy the flashiest boot; think about your game. Are you making quick cuts and need agility? Nemeziz. Looking for pure speed? X series. Want that perfect balance? Ace was your answer. And the Predator? That was for players who lived for set pieces and precision passing. The pricing was actually quite reasonable too, with most models ranging between $180-$250, though I did manage to snag a pair of Ace 17.1s for just $160 during a seasonal sale.

Looking back, what made the 2017 collection stand out was how each boot had its own personality while still feeling distinctly Adidas. They weren't just throwing technology at the wall to see what stuck - every innovation served a clear purpose. I've seen plenty of boot releases since then, but there's something about that 2017 lineup that still gets me excited. It was a year where performance, design, and practicality came together in a way that's become increasingly rare in today's market. If you ever come across a well-preserved pair from that collection, trust me - they're worth picking up even today.