Name a better duo than adidas and flipped tongues? Wales Bonner, you will always be famous.

Well, to be fair, this fold-over method has been a part of soccer sneaker culture for a while now, and adidas' ZX 8000 G-SNK Predator, a modern ode to the fútbol sneakers of yore, is paying homage to this sporty lore.

A collaboration with atmos, the ZX 8000 G-SNK Predator, which was first released in 1989, sits on a chunky base, a functional outlier within the world of famously flat soccer sneakers. This is basically the anti-Samba. Now, to be clear, this isn't just an aesthetic design choice.

adidas' innovative Torsion technology allows the heel and forefoot to move independently, which is great for aiding natural foot movement.

This isn't the only standout trait possessed by the ZX 8000 G-SNK Predator. It also has reflective paneling, which gives the sporty shoe some added night-proof panache.

The real star of the show, though, is the fold-over tongue, which was initially designed to keep laces covered on the pitch. Nowadays, though, this design choice is more for stylistic flair than anything else. 

Still, the fold-over lands as an especially nice choice for the ZX 8000 G-SNK Predator sneaker since the shoe will be unveiled for the first time at the 2026 FIFA North-China America World Cup in Mexico. 

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