At The Boot Chamber, we’ve seen our fair share of iconic boots — but every so often, something comes through the door that truly stops us in our tracks. This time, it’s a pair of Adidas Predator Mania prototypes, produced in February 2001 — months before the model ever hit retail shelves.
This isn’t just a rare Mania — it’s pre-release history.
The inner tag reads “02/01” — a clear sign this pair was part of Adidas’ PRB (Product Review Batch). These samples were never sold to the public. Instead, they were manufactured in limited numbers for internal wear testing, marketing assets, or early player distribution. Some would have landed in the hands of elite professionals for feedback. Others, like this pair, vanished into obscurity.
What makes this pair especially unique is the absence of any standard size tags, paired with subtle design differences that set it apart from the final retail release. The leather feels marginally softer, the fold-over tongue shape is slightly altered, and even the stitching around the heel counter carries minor tweaks.
This was the foundation of a legend — the prototype blueprint of what would go on to become one of the most beloved Predator models ever made.
The 2002 World Cup may have made the Mania a household name, but this pair? It tells the story before the story.
Boots like this don’t just represent performance gear — they represent process, evolution, and unseen craftsmanship.
We’re proud to house this piece of Predator history in The Boot Chamber collection — and if you’re a true collector, this is the kind of item that makes your heart skip a beat.
