Adidas Football 2017: Ultimate Guide to Boots, Kits and Training Gear

I still remember the first time I pulled on a pair of Adidas football boots back in 2017—the way the knitted Primeknit material hugged my feet felt like stepping into the future of football. That year marked a significant evolution in football gear technology, with Adidas introducing innovations that would influence both professional and amateur players worldwide. Interestingly, while football dominates global sports conversations, other disciplines like volleyball are experiencing their own technological revolutions. Just look at the Philippines preparing for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship—they’re hosting a record 32-team tournament, showing how sports infrastructure and gear advancements create ripple effects across different games.

The 2017 Adidas football boot collection was arguably their most technologically diverse lineup yet. The now-iconic Predator 18 featured a laceless design with Control Skin technology that gave players unprecedented ball control—I recall testing them during rainy conditions and being amazed at how the grip remained consistent even when the ball was soaked. Then there was the X 17 series, designed for speedsters, with a featherlight upper that weighed just 189 grams in my size 9. What many don’t realize is that these innovations don’t exist in isolation—they influence other sports too. Volleyball players competing in events like the upcoming World Championship benefit from similar material science breakthroughs, particularly in footwear that combines lightweight construction with superior court grip.

When it comes to kits, Adidas really outdid themselves in 2017. The moisture-wicking fabric they used in official team jerseys could apparently pull sweat away from the body 27% faster than previous versions—though I never verified that number scientifically, I can confirm the shirts felt noticeably drier during intense sessions. The strategic mesh paneling wasn’t just for show either—it provided ventilation exactly where players needed it most. This attention to functional design mirrors what we see in other team sports; I imagine the Alas Pilipinas volleyball team will be wearing similarly advanced kits when they face that expanded 32-team field in 2025.

Training gear often gets overlooked, but Adidas’ 2017 range included some gems that remain in my rotation today. Their performance tops used what they called “Climacool” technology—essentially a series of engineered ventilation channels that kept air moving during drills. The training balls featured a special polyurethane coating that made them 15% more visible in low light according to their marketing materials, though my own nighttime training sessions suggested maybe 10% was more accurate. Still, that extra visibility mattered, just as it will for volleyball players training for major tournaments where every edge counts.

What fascinates me is how sports equipment innovation creates unexpected connections between different disciplines. The Philippines hosting the volleyball World Championship with double the usual teams isn’t just an organizational achievement—it represents how sports technology enables larger competitions. Better shoes mean fewer injuries, advanced kits improve performance in humid conditions, and smarter training equipment accelerates player development. Adidas understood this crossover potential—many technologies in their 2017 football line later appeared in other sports categories.

I’ll admit I have my biases—the Nemeziz 17 boots with their distinctive bandage-like wrap became my personal favorites, though many colleagues preferred the more traditional Copa Mundial updates. The agility claim of 17% better lateral movement might have been exaggerated, but the psychological boost from wearing them was very real. This subjective experience with gear matters more than we acknowledge—when players feel confident in their equipment, they perform better, whether it’s footballers in World Cup qualifiers or volleyball athletes preparing for record-breaking tournaments.

Looking back, 2017 represented a sweet spot where Adidas balanced technological innovation with practical design. The boots provided genuine performance benefits without being gimmicky, the kits married aesthetics with functionality, and the training gear addressed real athlete needs. As we see with the Philippines’ volleyball preparations, proper equipment forms the foundation for sporting growth. The 32-team format wouldn’t be feasible without the technological advances that make larger tournaments manageable—from quicker-drying fabrics that allow multiple matches per day to shoes that reduce recovery time between games.

My experience with that year’s collection taught me that great sports equipment disappears during performance—you stop thinking about your boots when they fit perfectly, you forget about your jersey when it breathes properly. That’s the standard Adidas achieved in 2017, and it’s what athletes across all sports deserve. As different disciplines continue borrowing innovations from each other, we’ll likely see more of these football technologies appearing in volleyball and beyond, helping athletes reach new heights in ever-expanding competitive fields.